He said unlike South Africa, where their Bureau of Standards was very critical about the mining industry, the presence of the GSA was not felt in Ghana’s mining sector.

“I strongly believe that the GSA needs to be important in the mining industry just like how the South Africa Bureau of Standards (SABS) is.

“SABS is what changed the mining industry in South Africa,” he said.

Mr Sobriera was speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic after he was adjudged the Sustainability and Social Investment Personality of the year at the 2019 Sustainability and Social Investment Awards on November 29.

The Sustainability and Social Investment Awards is aimed at creating awareness and encouraging companies, foundations and NGO’s to deliver high impact CSR projects that align with the government’s focus on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The awards is also to recognise the impact made by companies, enterprises and individuals in improving the quality of life of people.

Just an ambassador

Commenting on his award, Mr Sobriera dedicated the award to staff and management of Chirano Mines, stating that “I am just the ambassador, they do all the hard work and I come and represent them.”

“They are all part of the success story and it’s good to know that Chirano is doing the right thing for the right reasons.”

“For us, we do CSR projects not because the agencies or the government tells us to but we do it because it is part of our core values. We put people first and we look after the communities and the people around us,” he said.

Local content

Chirano Gold Mines also won the award for Best Company in Supporting Local Content, Best Company in Skills Development and Best Company in Stakeholder Engagements.

Commenting on these two awards, Mr Sobriera, said “we have always believed in local content.

“We are ruthless about making sure that we first and foremost look at the local content and only if there is none available and we cannot help a local person to give us what we want then we will go outside.

“From fuel to the chemical in the plant are all sourced locally and we also support some of the local companies to build their capacities to be able to serve us,” he said.

Other award winners

MTN Foundation was adjudged the Best Company in Employee Volunteering Initiative, Best Company in Partnership for Community Development, Best Company in Promoting Blood Donation and the SSI Team of the year.

Goldfields Ghana won the Best Company in Community Development and Infrastructure Project, Best in Economic Empowerment Project, Best in Partnership in Community projects and the SSI Foundation of the year.

GNPC Foundation also walked away with the Best in Clean Water Provision, Best in Community Support Project, Best in Promoting Arts and Culture, and the Best SSI Company in Education.