Economic Progress
Laos is classified as a Least Developed Country by the United Nations. Around 80% of the population lives in rural areas where there are few employment opportunities. Consequently, PanAust’s activities provide the local people with an otherwise rare opportunity for employment and training. The surrounding communities benefit from rising average incomes and skill levels, as well as from the purchase of goods and services and community investments made by PanAust.
PanAust has an employment policy that focuses on recruiting people from local communities. The Company also actively seeks local suppliers, contractors and service providers in the development of its business so as to provide further downstream economic benefits in the region.
As a consequence of PanAust's activities, infrastructure in the region of the Phu Kham deposit is being improved. Road access to villages local to Phu Kham has improved and will continue to improve in future years. In several settlements, the Company has assisted in piping water from springs into village centres. Mobile phone infrastructure in the vicinity of Phu Kham has been installed as a consequence of the Company's developments, which has provided local communities with a connection to a telephone network for the first time.
- To view PanAust's latest Sustainability Report, please click here.