Association of Australia Inc. (AMPAA)
AMPAA is led by a dedicated Executive Committee consisting of mining industry professionals who volunteer their time and expertise. Our committee members, including the President, Vice President, General Secretary, Treasurer, Organising Secretary, and Committee Members, are all full-time professionals in the mining industry. Through regular meetings, teleconferences, and social media,
We coordinate our efforts to drive the association forward. All Executives are Full Members of AMPAA.
The Executive Committee, elected for a 2-year term at the Annual General Meeting, comprises 5 Office Bearers and 7 members serving on special committees. The Office-Bearers consist of the President, Vice President, General Secretary, Treasurer, and Organising Secretary.
Governed by the Western Australia’s Associations Incorporation Act (2015), the Executive Committee oversees various sub-committees such as the Welfare Committee and Organising Committee.
Benjamin Osei Akoto - President
Benjamin Osei Akoto is the Regional Operations Manager, Mining – WA/SA/NT for Thiess, a global mining services provider. A Mining Engineer with eighteen (18) years of industry experience in mine management/operations and technical services. His extensive knowledge and experience have been gained through working with major mining companies in Australia and Africa in both open pit and underground operations.
He is a Fellow and a Chartered Professional of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM). He also holds WA Quarry Manager’s Certificate of Competency and currently undertaking an MBA in finance at University of Western Australia.
Ben is the Initiator and a founding member of the African Mining Professionals Association of Australia. Through his work with the association, Ben provides mentoring to young engineering students starting out and helps other young African engineers’ transition to life and work in Australia.
Samuel Obeng – Vice President
Samuel Obeng is a passionate Geologist with over 14 years’ experience in the mining industry. Samuel holds a BSC (Hons) degree in Geological Engineering. He started his career with Newmont and currently working with Westgold Resources Ltd. Sam has a strong passion for leading system optimisation, strategic planning, and resource growth with a strong focus on continuous improvement, supporting leaders to succeed and increasing shareholders value.
His determination to excellence and commitment to action has seen him perform at a high level and lead teams to deliver projects in a timely manner.
Samuel is currently the Vice President of the African Mining Professionals Association of Australia (AMPAA) Inc. He seeks to bring his diversity, strong leadership skills and results-driven motivation to accelerate the realization of the associations objectives. Samuel is also a member of the Ambitious Leaders Network Perth. A group of dynamic leaders who seek to do more, achieve more, and inspire each other.
Daniel Dwumfour – General Secretary
A Chartered Geotechnical Engineer with over 16-year experience across Africa and Australia working on Mining and Civil Projects including open pits and tailings dam. Currently working with Rio Tinto’s Major Hazard closure team as a Principal Engineer. Holds a MSc. in Engineering Geology and Geotechnical Engineering from the University of New South Wales (Australia) and a BSc in Civil Engineering from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (Ghana)
With a passion to give back to the community he has served AMPPA in various capacity since its inception in 2015 and currently serves as the General Secretary of the association.
Mintah Erskine – Financial Secretary
Mintah is a Geotechnical Engineer with over 16 years of industry experience working as a geologist and a geotechnical engineer both in Africa and Australia. He holds a Postgrad Dip in Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology from University of New South Wales, Australia, a Postgrad Certificate in Geostatistics from Edith Cowan University, and a Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering from the University of Mines & Technology, Tarkwa, Ghana. He is currently the senior geotechnical Assurance Engineer at Fortescue Metal Group Limited, in Western Australia. Mintah is experienced in operational readiness and passionate about operational geotechnical risk management and strategies. Aside the busy work and family schedules, Mintah will make time for soccer, experiment with food at home and enjoys gardening.
Eric Bonney – Organising Secretary
Eric has over 25 years’ experience in the mining industry and has several qualifications in Asset Management and Project management. He has previously worked as Long-Term Maintenance Planner for Ausdrill Ltd, Snr Maintenance Planner for Ausdrill Ltd, Maintenance Manager for African Mining Services (Ghana), Maintenance Superintendent for African Mining Services (Ghana) and Snr Maintenance Supervisor for African Mining Services (Ghana). Currently he is the MEM Supervisor at Rio Tinto, Australia. Eric is also an Associate Fellow of the Australia Institute of Management (AFAIM).
Mark Atta-Danso – Committee Member
A Process Engineer and Metallurgist with about two decades of experience in the field of mineral processing, extractive metallurgy, process design and control, commissioning, project and operational management of gold, iron ore, and lithium-ion battery recycling operations. Mark’s experience in leading teams through commissioning and operating plants safely in achieving nameplate capacity is proven, having recently overseen magnetite and gold operations as Unit Manager and Alternate Registered Manager.
Currently, a Senior Metallurgist with Northern Star Resources Ltd. Mark began his career with Gold Fields Ghana Ltd in 2004 for four years then to Gold Fields Australia (St Ives). Also an Ex – Westgold Resources, Saracen Minerals, FMG and CITIC Pacific Mining. Other project consulting experience include Primobius GmbH, Pueblo Viejo Gold Mine, and Ma’aden Gold & Base Metals.
Mark holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and MSc. in Mineral Economics from Curtin University (Australia) BSc (Hons.) in Mineral Engineering from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST, Ghana), and a Diploma in Project Management.
Stanley Zutah – Committee Member
Mr. Stanley Zutah is a geologist with 20 years’ experience in the mining industry with a focus on gold. He has worked in various exploration and production roles in Australia, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Democratic Republic of Congo. Stanley is currently working as a Resource Geology Superintendent at Gold Fields Ltd, Agnew Gold Mine subsidiary in Western Australia. He studied geological engineering at the University of Science and Technology School of Mines, Ghana. Stanley holds a master’s degree in Economic Geology from the University of Tasmania, Australia and a Post Graduate Certificate in Geostatistics from Edith Cowan University, Australia. Stanley is a member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.
Gabriel Owusu - Bempah – Committee Member
Gabriel is a qualified and experienced Geotechnical Engineer known for analytical skills, leadership capabilities, and interpersonal strengths. Deep background in Project Scoping, Planning, and Management gained from over 12 years of employment history in the mining sector. Recognised for successfully accomplishing numerous projects, utilising a results-oriented approach. Holds a solid record of team leadership, subject matter, and resource management.
Wamunyima Mahalihali – Committee Member
Wamunyima Mahalihali is a Geotechnical Engineer with 12 years’ experience in the mining industry, having worked in Zambia and now Australia, across commodities like Copper, Zinc, Gold and now Iron ore.
She holds a MSc Degree in Soil Mechanics and Engineering Seismology from Imperial College London, UK and a BEng in Mining Engineering from the Copperbelt University, Zambia.
Her passion for her career has seen her rewarded with prestigious awards like the Zambian Mining Woman of the Year 2014 (by the Zambia Chamber of Mines and Ministry of Mines and Mineral development, Zambia) and is a recipient of the prestigious Beit Scholarship.
She is currently a Specialist Geotechnical Assurance Engineer with Rio Tinto, and a member of Australia Institute of Mining & Metallurgy (AusIMM).
Dr Muza Gondwe – Committee Member
Dr Muza Gondwe is a partnership facilitator specialising in sustainability development. Her role at the BHP Foundation involves being an interlocuter providing both broad and deep cross-functional support for the Foundation programs.
Her previous roles involved facilitating University and mining industry partnerships and designing, delivering, and evaluating resource governance programs for emerging economies. She holds a PhD in Science Communication from the University of Western Australia.
She is a past Fellow of the Centre of African Studies, University of Cambridge. Although living in Australia, Muza calls Malawi home. She is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion and volunteers for women in mining organizations.
Linda Obeng – Committee Member
Linda Obeng is a geologist with over 4years experience with Newmont Corporation and AngloGold Ashanti. She holds BSc (Hons.) in Geological Engineering from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST, Ghana).
She is currently a Master of Data Science Student at University of Western Australia.
Equipped with the latest technology in data science and transferrable skills, including continuous improvement, data management and reporting, Linda aspires to provide leaders with concisely presented accurate data to make data-driven decisions to ensure achievement of corporate goals.
She is a Uni-mentor and passionate about inclusive and diversity, team development and stakeholder engagement.
Peter Young – Committee Member
Peter Young is a Pastor, Entrepreneur, Personal Development Expert, and a Business Advisor. He is the Founder and CEO of Harripet Expressions. Peter previously worked as a School Chaplain and Career Geologist with some of the big names in mining, exploration, and the mineral industry in world.
He holds a certificate in Mineral Economy and Financial Evaluation, MSc. in Mining Engineering, and Diploma in Geological Engineering. He a recognised Minister of Religion with the Australian Christian Churches
Peter specialises in Teaching, Training, Coaching, Mentoring. He also helps with Personal, Communication, Relations, and Leadership development.
Eric Ansah – Committee Member
Eric Ansah is a Geometallurgist with 3 years research and 5 years operational plus sales experience. He been involved in several operational projects with AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem, Goldfields Tarkwa and Shell Ghana Limited.
Presently, Eric works as an Artificial Intelligence Researcher for Funartech in Montreal, Canada. Some of his most recent initiatives are in smart water irrigation, mine planning optimization and emission reduction of heavy-duty mining machinery. Eric is in his final year of PhD studies at the University of Melbourne, Australia. He researchers into low-grade porphyry copper-gold deposits and heap leaching.
Eric holds a bachelor and master’s degrees in Minerals and Earth Resources Engineering from the University of Mines and Technology in Ghana and Kyushu University in Japan, respectively. He is a member of Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and Society of Economic Geology (SEG).
Paul Boamah – Committee Member
Paul Boamah is the principal Resource Geologist for Pilbara Minerals Limited.
A geologist by trade with eighteen years (18) experience in underground and open-pit mining operations across various commodities; Gold, Silver, Lead, Zinc, Copper and Lithium. He has worked in mining operations in Ghana, Tanzania and Australia.
He is a Chartered Professional Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining & Metallurgy and a Member of the Australia Institute of Geoscientists. Paul holds a master’s degree in Geostatistics from the University of Adelaide.
Besides trying to keep his two daughters happy, Paul is interested in coaching and mentoring the younger generation.