Great Quest knows the deficiency in value addition to Africa’s agribusiness sector is a big challenge, but we believe it is possible to change this scenario.
Local manufacturing could act as a bridge to provide local farmers high-quality fertilizers and other inputs. Local production reduces imports costs and can give farmers better access to the product, creating economies of scale for food producers across the African continent.
The company believes the activity of mining and the use of its products will be transformative for Africa and profitable for shareholders. At the same time it also believes that the exercise of good social responsibility practices are integral to its success.
At the operational level, the company seeks to maximize the use of local human and material resources. The company employs Malian workers and has contracted with the PDRM (Programme pour le Development des Ressources Minerales), a Government agency under the Malian Ministry of Mines, for much of its drilling. This identification and use of local suppliers and staff is the model the company will use in all its operations. At the regional and local level, unsubsidized economic activity and employment based on long-term mining operations will increase security, social stability and confidence. Direct employment by company operations will be important but become secondary over time to all the employment generated by the transport, storage, distribution and use of its products. Even more employment will be sustained or created to service the industries that service the company and its products.
At the macro level, fertilizers produced in Africa for Africans will displace high cost hard currency imported materials in areas marked by high population growth and/or the reality or threat of food deficits. The potential for profitable good from the activities and products of Great Quest is enormous and a subject for pride within the company.