By Charles Lotara, SSMJ Juba, Thursday (September 19, 2024) – In an effort to promote the mining sector, the South Sudan Mining Journal, in partnership with parent company Lilico Engineering , has unveiled numerous awards in recognition of significant contributions by industry professionals and entities. The five-category merit-based awards, which include Analyst of the Year, Writer of the Year, Reporter of the Year, Mining Company of the Year, and Mining Person of the Year, are rolled out
By Charles Lotara, SSMJ
Juba, Thursday (September 19, 2024) – In an effort to promote the mining sector, the South Sudan Mining Journal, in partnership with parent company Lilico Engineering , has unveiled numerous awards in recognition of significant contributions by industry professionals and entities.
The five-category merit-based awards, which include Analyst of the Year, Writer of the Year, Reporter of the Year, Mining Company of the Year, and Mining Person of the Year, are rolled out in November every year, effective 2024.
The earliest recipient of the inaugural accolade is Dr. Cosmas Pitia Kujjo, the Undersecretary at the Ministry of Mining, who was recognized as The Mining Person of the Year. Dr. Pitia heads the technical team and directorship in the ministry.
In his acceptance remarks at the ministry’s complex, Dr. Pitia praised the South Sudan Mining Journal for the initiative, underscoring that the country’s only mining-oriented publication has delivered to public expectations since its inception.
Launched less than five years ago, the South Sudan Mining Journal has not only bridged the information gap in relation to the country’s extractive sector but also exposed the industry to potential investors around the world.
“During the inauguration of the journal, we said we were happy that it was going to be a platform for us the geoscientists, not only the ministry, but also the academia, and people with different opinions that they can express through the journal. And today, this award here is expressing one of the things we wanted the journal to do,” he said.
Through Pitia’s contributions, the Ministry of Mining signed a historic seven-year Integrated Systematic Geological Survey agreement with China’s Geological Exploration Technology Institute (GETI), the first of its kind since the country’s independence.
Dr. Pitia is also a technical advisor to the Geological Society of South Sudan, where his advisory guidance has led to critical progress toward the establishment of a seismological observatory center in partnership with India's government.
In a similar development, the journal has identified Deng Ngang Deng as the winner of the Writer of the Year award.
Deng is the Chief Executive Officer of Target Mining Resources , a South Sudanese-led mining consultancy based in Kalgoorlie, Australia.
He has been a dedicated contributor to the print edition of the South Sudan Mining Journal since its launch in January 2024, with his opinions focusing on mining policy and investment advisory to the government in Juba.
Added to the list is Goldleaf Corporation , which has been recognized as the Mining Company of the Year. Goldleaf became the first national mining entity to discover new gold deposits in the Ganji area north of Luri Payam in Juba County after 18 months of exploration in the Central Equatoria State.
In November 2023, the Ministry of Mining noted that, unlike other prospective investors, the government says the company, headed up by Kueth Duany as the Chief Executive Officer, has done exceptionally well in meeting its legal mandate of giving back to the community by creating job opportunities and establishing social amenities for the host community.
"Like now, some members of the host community are assistant drillers there. These assistants are now local people, because it's just a matter of carrying the pipes, drilling the pipes, and cleaning the pipes," the undersecretary at the ministry told the South Sudan Mining Journal in a previous interview.
"Little by little, they will go to the next stage of knowing why this is done and how rigs work. Some of them who have gone to school can quickly acquire skills of drilling."
Charles Lotara, one of the journal's longest-serving scribes since its founding, won the Reporter of the Year award, chosen by the publication's audience through online polls.
His contributions have been significant, ranging from stories that encourage investment in the country's mining industry to news that informs prospective energy investors.
Meanwhile, Akol Dok , managing partner at Orus Consulting , is the ultimate choice for the Analyst of the Year accolade.
Akol is well-known for his internationally televised insights on the country’s investment and economic landscape.
Akol, who is also a researcher, shares those insights with the print and digital editions of the South Sudan Mining Journal.
While these industry accolades are vital for the South Sudan Mining Journal as they elevate the publication's status as the leading platform for mining news and insights in the country, the recognition of industry excellence equally enhances its credibility and encourages innovation and hard work in the country’s nascent mining sector.