Mining Conference to launch major report on Minerals and Development
On the sidelines of the on-going Conference of Ministers Responsible for Mineral Resources Development, jointly organised by the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), a major new report titled: Minerals and Africa’s Development will be launched on Thursday. The Report was compiled by a team of 20 experts – the International Study Group (ISG) – drawn from the United Nations, universities, Civil Society and the mining research community in Africa, Europe and North America. The experts were identified by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in collaboration with the African Union Commission.
The Report, which runs to over 200 pages includes numerous case studies and data on all aspects of mining in Africa – and indeed frequently makes reference to experience outside the continent.
Wilfred Lombe, Chief, Infrastructure and Natural Resources Development at the Regional Integration, Infrastructure and Trade Division of the ECA says: “This Report concludes that one reason that mineral wealth has not led to development in Africa is that mining has until now often been treated as a separate issue. Most of the time policy decisions have been dominated by questions of how best to tax mining companies and then how to spend the revenue and this is a reflection of the enclave status of much mining in Africa.”
Lombe adds: “The ISG Report is different because it examines how mining could become the motor of development. It puts mining centre stage and argues it can be a catalyst for development rather just a revenue generating opportunity”.
The Report and the experts who compiled it are serving as a major resource for the Conference, whose theme is: ‘Building sustainable future for Africa’s extractive industry, from vision to action’.
Each chapter of the Report identifies the policy implications that come out of its detailed analysis of Africa mining regimes. Further it emphasises that there is a need to revisit the major issues one by one; but this must be done each time from a development perspective.
The experts and senior officials are currently reviewing an Action Plan for consideration by the Ministers responsible for Minerals on Thursday and Friday this week. It is expected that the Ministers will adopt the Action Plan for implementation.
SOURCE
Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
This article was originally posted on Sustainable Development Africa Platform
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