Globe Metals & Mining (ASX: GBE) is supporting the community surrounding its Kanyika Niobium Project in Malawi with its participation in the development of the Etandweni Health Post.
Commissioned by Globe about 18 months ago following a community consultation process, the Etandweni Health Post was a derelict facility providing childhood immunisations, provision of nutritional and general health advice, and family planning services.
The company’s involvement in this project is designed to build community support in the area surrounding the Kanyika Niobium Project, as it moves towards completion of its Definitive Feasibility Study in late 2012.
Skye Gilligan, manager corporate communications & social responsibility, commented on Globe’s participation in the project:
“Upon completing the agreed refurbishment in late 2011 and realising the overwhelming demand for greater health services in and around Etandweni, Globe sought the financial and professional assistance of local public and private partnerships to dynamically boost the current and future capacity of the facility.”
Working closely with the Australia Africa Mining Industry Group, an organisation established to represent Australian mining and service industry companies active in Africa, Globe successfully applied for a Direct Aid Program (DAP) grant of A$29,000 from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to install solar electricity and a vaccine fridge at the Health Post.
Matthew Neuhaus, Australian Ambassador for Malawi, said the DAP program supports projects that have a tangible development outcome for a specific group of disadvantaged people, particularly the needs of women and children.
“The business case presented for Etandweni was a perfect fit as the impact of electricity would be significant – not only extending operational hours, but providing the ability to power refrigeration for the storage of life-saving vaccines.”
Globe has committed to additional near-term investments to bring the Etandweni Health Post to an improved operational level including:
- Provision of a solar powered vaccine storage fridge using additional DAP funds;
- Provision of water through drilling of a bore and installation of a hand pump;
- Purchase of basic set up equipment, furniture and medical provisions; and
- Completion of the Health Surveillance Assistant’s accommodation adjacent to the Health Post.
By providing these things to the Etandweni community it removes the current high risk of disruption to the availability of vaccines and enables the Health Post to host immunisation clinics.
These initiatives are expected to be completed by June 2012.
Kanyika
Earlier this year, Globe was granted a two year extension for the Kanyika Niobium Project exploration licence, with a further two year option to renew.
The licence covering Kanyika, which spans 607 square kilometres, is now due for renewal on 29 December 2013.
The multi-commodity Kanyika Project, which will begin production of ferro-niobium in 2014, is the company’s main focus.
Globe is currently carrying out a Definitive Feasibility Study on the project, which is planned for completion in December 2012.
Importantly, the company therefore expects to be able to submit an application for a mining licence for Kanyika well before the expiry of the current exploration licence.
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