The five-day competition, held at the Obuasi Mine, brings together emergency response teams from four countries, including Ghana, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal. The event aims to assess their technical capabilities, encourage knowledge sharing, and strengthen cooperation in emergency response across the West African mining industry. The competition is themed “Together, Saving Lives Through Preparedness and Excellence.”
The Managing Director of AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, Dr. Samuel Boakye Pobee, emphasized that the initiative offers an opportunity to develop stronger professional relationships among mine rescue teams. He urged participants to use the competition to learn from one another and strengthen their commitment to workplace safety and emergency preparedness. Dr. Pobee also highlighted that the performance of mining companies should be assessed not only by their economic contributions but also by their ability to protect workers and communities.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, called for greater emphasis on the protection of human life in mining operations. He stressed that the industry's contributions to mineral production, investment, employment, and national development would mean little if workers could not return home safely after their shifts. Dr. Ashigbey reaffirmed the Chamber's commitment to promoting safety across the mining sector.
The competition involves teams from four countries competing to test their preparedness for mining-related incidents. The event provides a platform for mine rescue professionals to share expertise and build a regional network that can support coordinated responses to emergencies. The organisers say the initiative reflects a shared responsibility among mining companies to strengthen emergency response systems and protect workers.
The West Africa Mine Rescue and Emergency Response Competition is expected to promote professional networking and knowledge-sharing among mine rescue teams in the region. The event is a collaboration between AngloGold Ashanti's Obuasi Mine and Endeavour Mining. It aims to establish a regional network that can support coordinated responses to emergencies.
Dr. Samuel Boakye Pobee and Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey both emphasized the importance of safety in the mining industry. They encouraged participants to use the competition to assess their capabilities, identify weaknesses, and improve their readiness to respond to emergencies. The competition is a significant step towards promoting safety and emergency preparedness in the West African mining industry.
The maiden West Africa Mine Rescue and Emergency Response Competition was hosted by AngloGold Ashanti's Obuasi Mine and Endeavour Mining from November 2. The event brought together emergency response teams from four countries to compete and share knowledge on emergency response and preparedness.
Key points
- The competition aims to assess technical capabilities and promote knowledge sharing among mine rescue teams.
- The event is themed “Together, Saving Lives Through Preparedness and Excellence.”
- The competition was hosted by AngloGold Ashanti's Obuasi Mine and Endeavour Mining.
