Dig Deep – The Mining PodcastRoxgold and How They’ve Developed in West Africa – with John Dorward
In this episode Rob interviews John Dorward, President & CEO of Roxgold, a Canadian-based gold mining company with assets located in West Africa.
We discuss the how Roxgold is developing their assets with great success, and the challenges of CSR within those countries and changes of power within Burkina Faso when John joined the company.
He gives his predictions of the gold market and what lies ahead in mining within Burkina Faso, Cote D’lvoire and other West African countries.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Projects can move forward very rapidly in West Africa, where countries are very keen to encourage foreign investment. The governments there seem to understand that investment means opportunity, and all goes towards making their countries stronger and more viable on a world platform.
- Roxgold is in wonderful financial shape due to wise investments and a profitable operation that has allowed the company to attract shareholders and investors, as well as make investments in subsequent operations in West Africa.
- The main challenges being face in West Africa are really in political stability. When the president of Burkina Faso hit his term limit, and was forced to step down, he chose not to. This caused something of an uprising, which impacted operations there immediately.
- One of Roxgold’s main aims is to be a good neighbour to the communities in which it establishes itself. Sharing wealth and opportunity with the areas in which it operates is key to improving its standing as a company worth working with.
- Keeping promises and not making excuses is key to improving the reputation of mining. Investment in education and buying from local suppliers whenever possible is important, as well as supporting local entrepreneurs. Respect is always important.
- John predicts that the scene is very well set up for gold. Gold tends to rally when it drops, and there is a real interest in gold around the world at the moment. Economies are in uncharted territories right now, so caution should always be applied.
.BEST MOMENTS
’Some of the geologists I’ve met, there’s no way that I’d ever be able to understand where they’re coming from!’
‘We prefer to refer to it as an “unscheduled change of government”'
‘We have a responsibility to share the wealth and share the benefits’
‘Whatever we say, we do’
‘You can give a number, or you can give a date. But don’t give both’
’The future is the challenge of sensible growth’
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Dig Deep – The Mining Podcast on iTunes
ABOUT THE HOST
Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight to peoples experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.
Rob is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first world to third world countries from Africa, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia. We source, headhunt and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients organisation in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace.
CONTACT METHOD
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