African Underground Mining Services (AUMS), through its Underground Mining Alliance (UMA) joint venture, has secured a A$1.02 billion ($655.3 million) contract with AngloGold Ashanti for underground mining services at the Obuasi Gold Mine in Ghana’s Ashanti region, approximately 60km south of Kumasi. The UMA joint venture, responsible for the contract, is 60% owned by AUMS, a subsidiary of Australian mining services group Perenti, and 40% by Ghanaian contractor Rocksure International.

AUMS has been operating at the Obuasi mine since February 2019.

The five-year contract, effective from February 1, 2025, covers underground development, production, and related mining services at the Obuasi mine, which operates at depths up to 1,500 meters. AngloGold Ashanti will provide major capital expenditure, eliminating the need for new growth capital from the joint venture. AUMS has been active at Obuasi since February 2019, building a strong operational foundation.

Perenti’s managing director and CEO, Mark Norwell, emphasized the significance of the agreement, stating: “We are pleased to sign the Obuasi contract with AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) for an additional five years. We highly value our relationship with AGA and look forward to continuing and deepening our positive working relationship. This agreement is a testament to the reliability and value provided by our Contract Mining division.”

The contract highlights AUMS’s expertise in delivering reliable mining services, strengthening its partnership with AngloGold Ashanti, one of the world’s leading gold producers. Perenti’s Contract Mining president, Gabrielle Iwanow, noted: “Our relationship with AngloGold Ashanti is of great importance to our Contract Mining division. As one of the world’s largest gold miners, we are proud to work alongside them in a collaborative manner. We look forward to continuing to grow our relationship with them over the years ahead and supporting them to meet their business objectives.”

The Obuasi contract aligns with Perenti’s broader operations, including a recent A$500 million contract secured by its subsidiary Barminco for underground mining at the Agnew gold mine in Australia, owned by Gold Fields. These agreements demonstrate Perenti’s capability to manage large-scale mining projects across different regions, contributing to the global supply of gold while fostering local partnerships in Ghana.

The project supports sustainable mining practices and economic growth in Ghana’s Ashanti region, leveraging the combined strengths of AUMS and Rocksure International to deliver value to AngloGold Ashanti and the local community.