Gold mining major AngloGold Ashanti has partnered with the ministries of mineral resources, basic education and health to deliver a science laboratory, computer laboratory, community park and medical facilities to the Gauteng-based Merafong community, which hosts the gold miner’s West Wits operations.

The launch of the newly renovated laboratories at Wedela High School took place earlier this month, where AngloGold Ashanti senior VP: sustainability Simeon Mighty Moloko and senior VP of underground operations Billy Mawasha joined Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, Mineral Resources Deputy Minister Godfrey Oliphant, Education MEC Barbara Creecy and Health MEC Hope Papo at the official handover ceremony.

The representatives also unveiled the Kideo ward and the Phomolong medical step-down ward at Carletonville Hospital, after which Oliphant and Papo presented the citizens of Khutsong with their own community park.

During the construction period of these projects, AngloGold Ashanti created 40 jobs, helping community members gain portable skills applicable to the construction industry.

This initiative forms part of the mining major’s bid to drive social cohesion, promote positive family values and establish healthy living habits in host communities.

The science and computer laboratories at Wedela Technical High School are two of AngloGold Ashanti’s community human resources development projects that were approved by the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR).

These projects form part of the mining major’s social and labour plans (SLPs), which are informed by the Merafong local municipality’s integrated development plans.

The laboratories will benefit a 500 learners, with the hope of promoting their interest in science and computer studies.

“Our community human resources project is designed to help the community create a future talent pool from host and labour-sending municipalities. This will eventually enable us to source labour for our mining operations directly from our host communities,” says AngloGold Ashanti sustainability VP Malebogo Marimo.

The establishment of Carletonville Hospital’s Kideo ward and medical step-down facility project was another SLP approved by the DMR.

The wards became fully operational soon after the official handover ceremony, providing sub-acute care for children and patients recovering from chronic illnesses.

“This intervention, in collaboration with AngloGold Ashanti, will help avail the [situation of] much-needed medical beds for the terminally ill in the main hospital, while recovering patients can be attended to for shorter periods in the step-down facility,” said Motsoaledi at the unveiling ceremony.

“This is aligned with the Department of Health’s objectives to make accessible healthcare a reality and a right that can be enjoyed by all, irrespective of their socioeconomic stand- ing.”

Moloko further emphasised the importance of healthcare as a critical component of the National Development Plan.

“As a company, AngloGold Ashanti subscribes to the plans and intentions of this plan to reconstruct and inject economic vibrancy into our country while creating a healthy society,” he said.

Meanwhile, Oliphant commended AngloGold Ashanti on its community development portfolio. “These kinds of public–private partnerships are critical in driving socioeconomic transformation in mine communities.

“Further, what AngloGold Ashanti and the Merafong local municipality are launching today is in sync with the prescripts of the Minerals Petroleum Resources Development Act, which states the role of the mining industry in the economic transformation of host and labour-sending communities.”