Value creation and local development – linkages, investment and diversification in mining

Posted by Daniel Gleeson on 6th February 2017

The Africa Mining Vision is the guiding continental compass working towards structural reforms that are meant to build viable linkages, through the creation of value around the mineral sector, essential to foster sustainable and broad-based development.

The African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC) and The German Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) are hosting an information session during the Mining Indaba this week discussing concrete opportunities in value creation; linkages and diversification. It will be on Wednesday February 8, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Place: Roof Terrace, Cape Town International Convention Centre.

The economic landscape of resource-rich African countries has been historically shaped by the exploitation of mineral resources. In recent years, many have undertaken substantial reforms to capture more benefits at the domestic level. While many effort was made to maximize revenue and to improve transparency and governance, the paradigm is yet to shift towards more structural reforms to build viable linkages, through the creation of value around the mineral sector. To support countries’ efforts in moving towards sustainable value creation, the African Union Heads of States endorsed the Africa Mining Vision (AMV) in 2009.

The AMV is the guiding continental compass that defines the aspiration for the extractive sector to catalyse broad, transparent, equitable and sustainable growth and socio-economic development. It needs to be systematically mainstreamed and translated at the country’s level.

Given the imperative to move forward to broaden and deepen mineral-related value chains, this meeting will engage key experts on:

  • Africa’s interests, potentials and challenges to deepen linkages, promote investment and pursue diversification for broader structural transformation
  • Key areas of opportunities in the short-to medium, term to develop or deepen those linkages. The case of Ghana will be discussed
  • The potential to put in place initiatives to support the development of local suppliers and the setting up of economic clusters around the mining industry and beyond.

Discussions will be informed by a study that is currently being conducted jointly by the AMDC and BGR.

Shown here,  Azumah Resources’ Community Relations Team meets regularly with local leaders, traditional and government authorities, and community groups to provide them with information on our work and to listen to feedback from them.