Enhancing the safety and efficiency of plant construction

The Plant construction project is moving ahead apace. The earthworks currently underway will soon give way to civil engineering works, for which the company in charge is already deployed on the DASA site.

Following validation of the process layout, the Engineering Department has already delivered the bulk of the manufacturing drawings to the factories, and produced the functional assembly drawings.

These plans, which define the layout of equipment and components in the plant’s various workshops, are an important step in ensuring the safety of operations and the success of production programs. For these reasons, the Project decided to hold a review workshop to examine, criticize and amend all the functional diagrams and their dimensioning.

This exercise, which took place over 4 days – from January 13 to 16 – at SOMIDA headquarters, brought together :

• Project management,
• Project managers, responsible for purchasing & logistics, planning, construction management, quality control and costs;
• Engineering office
• Operational staff from the DASA site
• Experienced Niger experts from outside the project
• Executives from the Ministry of Mines.

The 35 participants unabashedly reviewed the plant’s functional diagrams and suggested corrections to anything they felt posed a risk to the safety and performance of future operations.

Building Skills, Building Futures at DASA Mine

At the DASA site, it became clear that literacy challenges among some local staff were impacting workplace safety and efficiency. Employees who struggle to read and write may face difficulties in following instructions, which can affect overall operations.

In response, the site launched a dedicated literacy program to address this need. Over three months, 23 participants—including SOMIDA staff and subcontractors—engaged in this transformative initiative led by skilled teaching professionals.

On December 3rd, a special ceremony marked the completion of the program’s first cycle, with participants achieving a satisfactory literacy level. Certificates were awarded to the graduates, and site managers attended the event to highlight the significance of this milestone. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, reflecting the enthusiasm and dedication of all involved.

For many participants, learning to read and write simple forms and fill in personal details was a life-changing experience. The confidence and pride they gained from this achievement have inspired them to continue their educational journey.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to everyone who contributed to the program’s success.

Together, we are shaping a brighter and more empowered future at the DASA Mine.