Events | Societe Miniere de DASA SOMIDA SA

DASA Site Completes First Large Ventilation Shaft

by Adamou Zakou | Oct 6, 2024 | Events

Leveraging Advanced Machinery to Build a Safer Mine

6 October, 2024 – the DASA Site has successfully completed the sinking of its first 5.1-meter diameter ventilation shaft. This shaft, along with the second one to be also installed in Niger, forms the backbone of the mine’s ventilation system, enabling production for the initial 10 years.

Drilling such a large-diameter shaft requires extensive expertise, advanced technological resources, and precise organization.

This operation requires a machine with both substantial mechanical power and electrical capacity. The operation utilized the RD7-150 Raise Borer from Master Drilling, a 46-ton DC machine equipped with dual 380 kW motors. This powerful machine can drill holes ranging from 3.1 to 7.1 meters in diameter, generating 7,200 kN of force, and 1,240 Nm of torque, with a power requirement of 1.6 MW.

At DASA, our team successfully drilled a pilot hole with a 4.9-meter (16-inch) diameter, expanding it to a final diameter of 5.1 meters at a depth of 70 meters. This achievement was made possible by the expertise and dedication of our engineers and operators.

The photograph above demonstrates the completed shaft head, while the accompanying video shows the Raise Borer machine in action.

Once operational, this shaft will support an airflow capacity of over 300 m³/s.

SOMIDA Successfully Hosts DASA Communities Committee Meeting

by John Wheeler | Aug 11, 2024 | Events

A Milestone in Community Collaboration and Partnership

Based the 1st commitment signed on March 29, 2023, the local village chiefs and SOMIDA have set up their mode of cooperation in the form of a joint committee called Comité Communautaire DASA (CCD). Procedures were drawn up to define how the community committee would operate.

On August 11, 2024, SOMIDA successfully hosted the inaugural meeting of the CCD at the DASA mine in Dajy Camp. The event was officiated by the mayors of Tchirozérine and Dannat (Administrative Delegates), further solidifying the committee’s role in the community. This committee was created to serve as a joint platform for collaboration between the DASA mining project and surrounding communities.

The CCD aims to ensure that local communities are actively involved in decisions impacting their region. Chaired by the Administrative Delegate of Tchirozérine, the meeting established a foundation for future collaboration, emphasizing mutual respect and partnership.

This initiative highlights SOMIDA’s commitment to fostering sustainable development and building strong relationships with the communities surrounding the DASA mine.

The CCD is composed of all village chiefs within a 30 km radius of the DASA site, alongside other community leaders. The committee’s day-to-day governance is managed by an executive body, which includes seven members selected from within the community, the two mayors of Tchiro and Dannat, and a SOMIDA representative.

Al-Ada Cultural Week 2024 – SOMIDA showcases Dasa Project

by John Wheeler | Aug 3, 2024 | Events

Dasa’s Impact on Niger’s Future

From July 26 to August 3, 2024, SOMIDA proudly participated as a key sponsor in the Al-Ada National Week in Niamey, commemorating the historic events of July 26, 2023. The week-long celebration brought together the community in a vibrant series of events, creating a platform for cultural exchange, sport, reflection, and unity.

SOMIDA’s presence provided the attendees with a deeper understanding of the Dasa Project and its pivotal role in Niger’s mining future. Government officials and community members gained valuable insights into how Dasa is fostering sustainable development, generating jobs, and boosting the nation’s economy.

We sincerely thank all participants—government officials, community members, and our SOMIDA Team—for contributing to the success of this memorable week!

In line with our commitment to this significant occasion, SOMIDA produced a short video that captures the event’s spirit and highlights the transformative impact of the Dasa Project.

Dasa Project – successful visit by Niger’s Mines Minister

by Adamou Zakou | May 3, 2024 | Events

A Benchmark for Niger’s Mining Future

On May 3, 2024, SOMIDA had the honour of hosting Niger’s Mines Minister, Commissaire Colonel Ousmane Abarchi, along with the Governor of the Agadez Region, local dignitaries, community authorities, and Dasa employees, at the Dasa Project site. The visit was part of the Minister’s tour of significant exploration and mining projects in the Agadez Region of northern Niger.

Key highlights of the visit included:

a tour of underground development now exceeding 1,235 meters, with 5 levels of development underway to access the orebody and prepare stopes for mining
a review of the mine design and current 23-year mine plan
the official ceremony to commence earthworks in preparation for plant construction
a review of the plant design and timelines for plant commissioning at the end of 2025
a review of ESG activities and community engagement undertaken since 2008 in the region
the camp expansion area built to accommodate the planned increase from 450 to 900 employees and contractors

At the conclusion of the visit, Minister Abarchi affirmed his commitment to the Dasa Project, stating: “We came here, we visited the mine, and we launched the earth breaking operations for the mill construction. Dasa is a reality everyone can see. We thank you all. We are supportive of the SOMIDA team and Global Atomic. This project is very important for us; as a government and as a shareholder. We want Dasa to be the start of new Niger mining practice with expectations on State Income, Employment, and Environment management.”

With strong government support, Dasa Project is poised to become a benchmark for future mining endeavors in the Republic of Niger.

DASA mine celebrates 500 accident-free days – a testament to safety and teamwork

by John Wheeler | Jan 2, 2024 | Achievements, Events

A milestone of safety and dedication at the DASA mine

In a remarkable demonstration of commitment to safety and teamwork, the DASA mine, operated by SOMIDA and supervised by Global Atomic Corporation, reached a milestone: 500 days without a lost-time accident (LTI). This achievement underlines the mine’s unwavering commitment to creating a safe working environment and its success in implementing effective safety measures.

On January 2, 2024, a special meeting was held to celebrate this milestone, bringing together night and day crews. The event provided an opportunity to review the mine’s impressive safety performance in 2023, with six sessions focused on critical areas such as vehicle interactions, electrical safety, hygiene, waste management, working at height and hand injuries. These sessions highlighted the mine’s proactive approach to identifying potential risks and implementing preventive strategies.

The highlight of the event was a team dinner, a gesture of appreciation for the team’s hard work and commitment to safety. John Wheeler, Chief Operating Officer and General Manager of DASA, addressed the team, underlining the importance of this achievement. He emphasized that the steady increase in the number of accident-free days at work is not just a figure, but a testament to the fact that every team member can return home safely to family and friends.

Adding to the significance of the event, John Wheeler delivered congratulatory messages from SOMIDA CEO Moussa Souley and Stephen G. Roman, President and CEO of Global Atomic Corporation. Their words echoed the sense of pride and underlined the collective effort of everyone at the mine to achieve this important safety milestone.

The record of 500 accident-free days at the DASA mine is not just a figure, but a symbol of SOMIDA’s safety-first culture. It reflects the dedication of every team member and the effective management and leadership that drive the mine to higher standards of safety and operational excellence. As the mine progresses, this milestone will serve as a reminder to all of the importance of safety and the value of teamwork in achieving such significant accomplishments.