Maravi

Nujoma calls for unity in mineral exploration

Nujoma calls for unity in mineral exploration
By Gweny Phiri
Friday March 02, 2007 [02:00]

FORMER Namibian president Sam Nujoma has called on professionals, academicians and governments to work together with a common vision and purpose of action in exploiting the abundant mineral resources in Africa. Nujoma, who is in the country for a study tour, on Wednesday visited the Nchanga Open Pit mine in Chingola and the Konkola Deep Mining Project (KDMP) in Chililabombwe. He said there was need for professionals in industry, academicians and governments to work together in exploiting the abundant mineral resources in Africa for economic development.

He said part of his study tour aimed at stimulating interest and discussions on how people in Africa could develop manufacturing industries based on local mineral materials which would promote economic development through employment creation and increase productivity to add value. Nujoma said the governments needed to develop policies and framework which would ensure equitable exploration and production of mineral resources with due regard to the local communities, national development and the environment. He said industrial concerns needed to invest in educational and training institutions in order to promote research and development.

He said copper resources were abundant in the sub-region and they could provide a means for economic development if the copper producing countries began to invest in downstream projects that would add value to copper produced including the production of electronic products from copper. He said in order to develop, Africa has to develop itself and create local manufacturing industries to promote, protect and develop its mineral wealth for the benefit of its people. He said people have to consciously and actively participate in the struggle for economic independence.

Labels: CARTEL, MINING, NUJOMA

posted by MrK @ 3:36 AM