This week the community of Somelo had much to celebrate and be proud of, thanks to Barminco Mining Services who handed over a communal poultry project to the Village Development Committee, (VDC). The poultry project in Somelo is part of Barminco Mining Services Corporate Social Investment in the area.

Speaking at the hand over event, Barminco Mining Services Operations Manager, Tim Gough said that when Khoemacau (their client) informed them of their decision to handover Somelo’s custodianship to them, they immediately started a series of stakeholder engagements, particularly with the local development structure being the Village Development Committee. He says they were keen to map the village needs with a view to collaborate on projects that are aligned to their CSI policy, an exercise that has borne fruit and continues to serve them both well.

‘We strongly believe, CSI must be beneficial to a wider group of people rather than individuals, as clearly outlined in our policy,’ Gough believes that the Somelo project ticks all the right boxes in being a legacy project, as with proper management, it has the potential to change the economic landscape of the village. He also stressed that there is no reason why this village should not be the hub of egg production in the Northwest region.

According to Gough, this project is one of their flagship partnerships in the area hence they are fully committed to ensuring its success. He says they have observed with most business-related initiatives where the recipients lack business skills leading to the collapse of the projects adding that their belief is that beneficiaries must be equipped enough to run competitive and profitable businesses.

‘We must now explore other equally beneficial avenues of economic expansion in our region by tapping into greater value chain of egg production and poultry rearing as future projects,’ he added.

The poultry project is not Barminco Mining

Services’ only contribution to the village of Somelo. He added that previously they were at the kgotla at the invitation of the council as they hosted a home coming for the reigning Ms RADP, who happens to a child from Somelo. He further said they pledged P5,000.00 towards her needs and toiletries and the mine is eagerly anticipating working with her in the future as they pursue an impact in the education fraternity.

The company has also employed five (5) residents from Somelo who were previous unskilled and have undergone rigorous training to become skilled Truck and Diamond drill operators.

Finally, Gough committed that in the not -so distant future they will return to Somelo to start some projects that they will believe will give it a facelift as they have received request from the VDC and after careful consideration have honed in on what is viable.

For his part, the Chief Executive Officer of Khoemacau mine, Johan Ferreira appreciated

Barminco Mining Services for heeding to their call and contributing to the mine’s legacy projected which started in the year 2019.

Ferreira further stated that since they embarked on these legacy projects, ten projects have been initiated and completed in communities where the mine operates. The CEO says that the company has also identified impactful areas they can contribute such as education. He also highlighted that since the inception of the project in 2019 a total of 5.9 million was spend on these projects. ‘We invest in communities in a sustainable manner in order to ensure that when they are no longer operational, the communities will be self-sustainable,’ he added.

Kgosi Mokhutshwane Komeng of Somelo village has applauded the mine for always committing to assist his community. He added that the chicken project is one of income generating and sustainable project in the village. He encouraged the community of Somelo to set aside their differences and grows the chicken business.