Addis Ababa — The African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC) concluded a two-day expert group meeting and validation workshop on an artisanal and small scale mining (ASM) study conducted by AMDC in August 2015. At the end of the meeting, experts from across the region agreed there is a need for a strategic roadmap that will help member states drive their artisanal and small scale mining sector forward.
During the workshop, experts provided their insights and guidance on important questions such as:
How can the economic potential of ASM be harnassed so that it contributes both to the fiscus of African countries as well as the continent's development?
How can players across the continent better harmonise the definitions and language around ASM to guide stronger legal frameworks?
How can we better understand the special capabilities of women in this sector and their areas of contribution to ASM?
Over the two days there were contributions from governments, academia, think tanks, universities and civil society organisations and the gathering was characterised by robust debate and dialogue.
Concluding the workshop, Coordinator of the AMDC, Kojo Busia, said, "As you know, the AMV is one of the few continental frameworks that legitimizes the existence of the ASM sector and its contribution to the minerals sector... Through this study, we wanted to survey the landscape, review existing laws and policies and through that process come up with a strategic roadmap that will help us shape the research agenda for the coming years and determine how to support member states in this sector."
Incorporating the recommendations made during the workshop, a draft of the document will be circulated to workshop participants for final comments. The study will then be finalized and made public.
Note for editors on the Africa Mining Vision:
Formally adopted by African heads of state in 2009, the Africa Mining Vision (AMV) is the continent's own response to tackling the paradox of great mineral wealth existing side by side with pervasive poverty. Simply put, the AMV outlines the roadmap to the transparent, equitable and optimal exploitation of mineral resources to underpin broad-based sustainable growth and socio-economic development in Africa.
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Daisy Leoncio
Communications and Advocacy Officer
African Mineral Development Centre
Visit us at www.africaminingvision.org
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