African Minerals Limited today has been a success story in Sierra Leone that has led the Executive Chairman (SL) to be recognised Africa wide after winning the most prestigious award in Africa – Africa Builder Awards.
In February 2005 the Company was admitted to AIM, raising £20m. In 2008 the Company discovered the major Tonkolili magnetite resource, and carried out significant fundraisings for its development. Through 2010 and early 2011 it raised over $1.1Bn to fully fund its Phase I development of the project, which entered production in Q4 2011. African Minerals successfully achieved its Phase I target 20Mtpa export run rate during Q2 2013. The next stage of Project expansion, known as Pepel35, now contemplates the production of up to 35Mtpa of 64% high grade hematite concentrate and the expansion of the current port facilities at Pepel, expected to enter production in 2016.
In March 2012 the Company completed a landmark $1.5bn transaction with Shandong Iron and Steel Group (“SISG”) in return for a 25% shareholding in the Tonkolili project companies. The SISG transaction is the largest ever foreign investment in Sierra Leone and the largest single investment by a Chinese State Owned Enterprise in Africa. A portion of the funds from the investment have been used to repay the $417.7m Standard Bank secured loan facility and the remainder will principally be used to accelerate the development of Pepel35.
Gibril Bangura, one of the founders of the Company and Executive Chairman, AML Sierra Leone, maintained its corporate office in Freetown, from mid-1997 through 2002 during the civil strife that plagued Sierra Leone. The Company remained committed to Sierra Leone and the Group’s business during that difficult period.
Gibril Moseray Fadika aka Super has been awarded the prestigious African Enterprenuer of the Year. He is the recipient of the recent Africa Economy Builders Award, the fifth edition of which was held in the Ivorian capital, Abidjan on April 30, 2014.
“You will get this Award for your entrepreneurial success and the significant contribution of your company to the economic growth of Sierra Leone and Africa”, the organizers said in a December 17, 2013 letter addressed to Mr Fadika, breaking the news and inviting him to the ceremony.
The honour, of being one of the best builders of the continent’s economy, came just weeks after the Executive Chairman of AML (SL) Limited was deservedly given the Civitan Award for his exemplary good citizenship, dedication and immense contributions to individuals and communities across Sierra Leone. Civitan, a US based charity, is an international organization with a worldwide mission to build good citizenship and it is dedicated to serving individuals and community needs with emphasis on helping people with developmental disabilities.
Mr Fadika and his African Minerals (SL) Limited were chosen On February 22, 2014, out of the many Sierra Leonean entrepreneurs and businesses respectively, to be celebrated by the Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce, Agriculture and Industry for being the lead businessperson with the fastest growing iron ore mines developer in West Africa and the biggest investment contributor to the country’s GDP.
The citation reads which reads “This award is given to African Minerals (SL) Ltd in recognition of its unparalleled corporate leadership demonstrated in successfully developing a world class mine, its outstanding contribution to the economic and social life of its employees and communities in which it operates, its immense contribution to the country’s economy and for setting a stellar example in implementing its corporate social responsibility scheme”.
In his respond to the board, management and staff of the company, the Executive Chairman wrote: “I am very pleased to report to you that out of all the mining companies and industries in Sierra Leone we have been selected as the best mining company in Sierra Leone by the Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for 2014. We have been able to achieve this distinguished accolade due to your support commitment and that of the board and shareholders”.
He added: “Furthermore I am also pleased to report that I have been nominated and voted for an award as one of the best builders of the African economy in Abidjan for what has been described as entrepreneurial success and significant contribution of AML to the economic growth of Sierra Leone and Africa”.
Three prestigious awards under six months in 2014 speak volumes of the steady progress the effort of any determined and successful person and business anywhere in the world, said one of the organizers.She added that, “these recognitions are either complementary to or are in themselves complemented by the steady socio-political and economic gains of Sierra Leone since 2002”.
As Executive Chairman of AML (SL), a subsidiary of AML International Limited, where he also serves as Executive Director; a co-founder and Non-Executive Director of African Petroleum and Pan African Minerals Limited with a cumulative investment portfolio of over 3.1 billion United States dollars in Africa, Mr Fadika was decorated alongside such global laureates as Rosa Whitaker, a former US diplomat under Presidents Bush and Clinton and one of foremost experts on Africa trade; founder of the Whitaker Group a consulting firm with US$ 3 billion in trade; and the Vice Chair of the Executive Board of Mercy Ships.
Also receiving awards were Chichi Maponya, the Chairman of Brand South Africa, who is also the CEO of Maponya Group and a recipient of Business Woman of the year in 2008/9, as well as the likes of Ghanaian born Sir Samuel Esson Jonah, KBE, OSG, who was knighted in 2003 by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain.
The Africa Economy Builders Award has been equated to the America Business Awards, the Canadian Business Network Awards, the Greenworks Gala in Luxembourg and the French Business Council Awards.
Africa Builder Awards identified 50 personalities, institutions working towards the social, economic, political, cultural and sports development of Africa, through their activities or investments. In this framework, 50 personalities, institutions have been selected, each in a separate scope of activity. A jury set by “SAB”, has determine key themes as well as award-winning activities scopes. During the selection and once the results shall be announced, “SAB”, contacted the various personalities and institutions by express mail and other means deemed necessary.
President of the Africa Builder Awards Charly Keutch said 2014 shall remain a special year in the minds of many African countries. As a matter of fact, this year symbolizes an historic and important step for many African countries celebrating the fiftieth anniversary and over of their independence. An event each country did want to celebrate solemnly and in pomp.
Save Africa Broadcast “SAB”, a nongovernmental organization based in Washington DC in the United States was anxious to commemorate this event, rather this significant celebration, in its own ways and with figureheads.
In order to join its voice to that of millions of African all over Africa and throughout the world and, more so, in order to involve the African Diaspora living abroad in general and particularly in the United States, “SAB”, thought it timely to organize a compensation and trophies award ceremony for African individuals and institutions working for the development of Africa. That is how Africa Builder Awards was born.
By Austin Thomas
Monday May 05, 2014