Ghana, South Africa sign MOU

Ghana and South Africa have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that would allow the two countries to exchange information on mining technologies, including scientific data in the field.

Under the agreement initialled by the Mines Ministers at the end of an International Conference on Investing in Africa Mining in Cape Town, South Africa, the two countries will also share ideas on government programmes, commercialisation and marketing potential.

Kwadwo Adjei Darko, Minister of Mines, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that further areas of co-operation envisaged include the training and development of specialists for the mining industry, the development of co-operative projects in the fields of mining, geology, mineral exploration and minerals economics.

The two countries would also promote joint projects by interested organisations, workshops, conferences and exhibitions aimed at attracting investments in mining. The Minister said in view of the importance attached to the MOU, a delegation from South Africa made up of representatives of the Chamber of Mines, researchers, bankers and geologists would be in the country in April to look for further areas of collaboration between the two countries.

Adjei Darko said Ghana was unanimously elected to chair the Steering Committee of the proposed African Mining Partnership (AMP), which Ministers from 23 African countries had agreed to establish.

The aim of the AMP is to champion mining and mineral-related initiatives under the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). It would also encourage member countries to harmonise their mining laws to reduce unnecessary competition and to promote a common front in attracting investment.

Adjei Darko said the conference emphasised sustainable mining as a tool for poverty reduction with special focus on small scale and artisanal mining. He said participants believed that instead of looking for big capital inflows into the sector, communities and small-scale miners could be assisted with proper technology as a means of ensuring their livelihood.