Since 2007, there has been a leader in providing mechanised underground mining services in Africa – African Mining Underground Services (AUMS). The company prides itself on its ability to outperform the owner-operator underground mining operations tonne for tonne, all the while improving the overall profitability of mining projects, with the first priority on the well-being of its personnel. As the partner of choice to some of the world’s leading mining operators, including Roxgold Inc, AngloGold Ashanti and Newmont Ghana, delivering on that promise is essential. The recently launched Subika Project, located in the Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana, West Africa, is a highly significant gold project in which Newmont has partnered with AUMS to develop it into a mine that will ultimately see it rank as one of the highest producing underground operations on the continent. Blair Sessions, AUMS’ Chief Operating Officer, is looking forward to delivering safe and efficient production at the Subika Operation, as the company has delivered on other projects and in different jurisdictions throughout continental Africa. Sessions joined the company in 2014, having extensive experience in various mining operations across Australia, many while General Manager of one of AUMS’ parent companies, Barminco. Sessions believes that the key to the success of the AUMS business has and will continue to come from the transfer of skills, maintaining the high standards and experience from within the Australian underground mining sector. “Our joint venture owners are two Australian contracting companies in Ausdrill and Barminco,” he says. “Essentially, what AUMS is accomplishing in Africa is effectively the same deliverables as what is being achieved in Australia, if not better in some areas. It’s about bringing every facet of operational excellence to the African continent, transferring and enhancing those necessary skills, aiming to leave a robust and positive company legacy.”