Gold Fields Ghana Limited (Tarkwa Mine) has acquired a state-of-the art instrumentation and automation training rig valued at over €450,000.
The rig will support efforts to offer intensive and practical training for employees, youth in host communities and students.
“Acquiring this state-of-the-art, comprehensive instrumentation rig – one of its kind in Ghana and Africa – marks another milestone for Gold Fields. This is a major investment that takes the skills development of our employees a notch higher because it adds to our solid technical training modules, equipment and infrastructure,” Joshua Mortoti, Executive Vice President (EVP) and Head of West Africa said at the rig’s inauguration at Tarkwa in the Western Region.
He explained that after training with this rig, instrumentation engineers will be equipped with technical know-how that enhances their competence.
Also, he said, youths in the host communities will get an opportunity to be trained with this rig when the Gold Fields Training School launches its instrumentation apprenticeship programme for young people in the operational area.
“As a company we don’t hold back when it comes to enhancing the competencies of our employees, because they are our most valuable asset. Our commitment to employee skills development also aligns with our value of innovation, which encourages ideas, creativity and changes that can drive our business forward,” Mr. Mortoti added.
He said since 2014 Gold Fields Ghana Limited has invested close to US$17million in various competency-enhancement, leadership and professional development programmes for employees and business partners. Some of these training programmes cater to the specific needs of employees, so that they can develop their individual potential.
He commended the engineering and learning and development teams for translating the innovative idea into action. “To our suppliers ASL and Endress+Hauser, I say we value your partnership over the years”.
Kweku Asmah, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Automation Group Ghana – suppliers of the training rig, commended management of Gold Fields for their commitment to investing in employee growth and development through training and retraining.
“The rig embodies our shared vision of empowering the workforce with necessary skills to drive progress and sustainability in mining operations, focusing on operational efficiency, employee safety and environmental responsibility,” he said.
According to him, the rig has been designed to stimulate all control systems used in a typical mining process – such as froth flotation and thickening processes, providing the best practical training experience for all mining personnel with a specific focus on pressure flow and level metering systems.
“This training rig is a testament to the power of collaboration, whereby Endress+Hauser Instrumentation AG and Festo Didactic joined hands with ASL to create a platform that will elevate the expertise of professionals in the mining industry. Let the rig serve as a symbol of hope, progress and resilience. Together, we have opened the doors to a world of possibilities for the mining industry; and we eagerly look forward to witnessing the transformative impact it will have on professionals and the sector as a whole,” he added.
“This investment, is a clear commitment and appreciation of Gold Fields Ghana Limited’s associates. The employee will respond to higher training with a higher skill set and great enthusiasm to get familiar with the latest technology. The possibilities which this powerful tool offers makes Gold Fields Tarkwa Mine unique in Ghana and the entire West Africa,” said Simon Egloff of Endress+Hauser.
