PanAfGeo: a step forward towards improving governance of the mining sector 0

Posted on 1, June 2017

in Category PRESS

Brussels, 19 May 2017

PanAfGeo, the innovative geological training programme for Africa was launched last 11-12 May 2017 in Windhoek, Namibia, in the presence of numerous national and international dignitaries, including Hon. K. Shilunga (Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy)  Mr. Negumbo (Permanent Secretary of Ministry Mines and Energy), H.E. Jana Hybaskova (Head of EU Delegation, EU Ambassador to Namibia),  H.E. Jacqueline Bassa-Mazzoni (French Ambassador to Namibia), Mr. F. Dixon Mugyenyi (African Union Commission), Zdenka Dobiasova (European Commission) and several African Geological Survey Directors.

The Organisation of African Geological Surveys (OAGS) in partnership with EuroGeoSurveys, the Geological Surveys of Europe (EGS), will provide about 50 training sessions for more than 1,200 geologists coming from 54 African countries. The project will provide human resources capacity building and training for African Geological Surveys staff. This programme of 10.3 million euros is co-funded by the European Union through its Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development (DG DEVCO) and a consortium of 12 European Geological Surveys, led by BRGM (the French Geological Survey).

Hon. K. Shilunga, recognized the fundamental role of the OAGS in resolving many of the important issues the world is facing today, such as the development of African mineral resources, the participation in the value chain in order to help industrialise African countries, and improving the standard of living of the African people: “this  close cooperation between African and European Geological Surveys, with the support of several high-level partners such as the European Commission, African Union Commission, African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC), African Minerals and Geosciences Centre (AMGC) and the Geological Society of Africa, is a milestone toward sustainable development of the global economy”. H.E. J. Hybaskova also pointed out the importance of collecting information and the capacity to manage the data are crucial for the benefit of the society.

The strategic importance of the above collaboration, in the areas of governance of natural resources, sustainable exploitation of non-energy mineral resources, prevention and mitigation of natural and man-made disasters and support to the development of artisanal/small scale mining, has been highlighted by Mr. I. Mba Okorie –Deputy Director Nigerian Geological Survey Agency representing Mr. A. Nwegbu, President of OAGS – who said “it is an opportunity to exchange ideas, inspire new research and to establish a solid basis for the development of geosciences in Africa and all over the world”. PanAfGeo allows trainees to acquire a state-of-the-art tool kit, methods and the possibility to take part in field trips concerning eight geoscientific domains: Geoscientific Mapping, Mineral Resources Assessment, Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining, Environmental Management of Mines, Geohazards, Geoheritage, Geoinformation Management, and Communication and Promotion.

The first training on “MINERAL RESOURCES ASSESSMENT” will be held from 5 June 2017 to 16 June 2017 in Windhoek, Namibia.