PanAfGeo Work Package 3 is delivering a training to African governments on managing artisanal and small-scale mining. PanAfGeo plays an important role in increasing the geological knowledge of African countries and is focused on helping governments improve estimates of their national mineral reserves in order to have a clearer view of potential revenues and increase bargaining power with mining firms. It is a collaboration between IGF (Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development), the EuroGeoSurveys (EGS) and its counterpart in Africa, the Organisation of African Geological Surveys (OAGS). The European Commission has also provided financial support for PanAfGeo’s WP3 program, which aims to deliver seven regional training sessions in 2017-2019. The first training session takes currently place in Accra, Ghana September until the 21st, 2017.  More than 40 representatives from Ghana and 11 representatives from the geological surveys in neighbouring countries will be attending the training. The first training session takes currently place in Accra, Ghana until the 21st 2017 of September. The main aim of the workshop is to train staff from the Ghana Geological Survey Authority (GGSA), regulatory agencies and the universities involved in the ASM sector to strengthen their capacity to assist ASM operators in Ghana while providing regional perspectives. Particular emphasis will be on how the knowledge and skills resources of the GGSA can be mobilized more actively in the service of ASM operators so as to ensure more profitable, efficient, environmentally friendly, safe and sustainable mining operations in Ghana. ASM operations employ more than 1 million people in Ghana and provide a livelihood to approximately 4-6 million. It is estimated that legal ASM accounts for more than one third of gold exports from Ghana while the share provided by illegal ASM is unknown. Thus, while legal ASM contributes significantly to Ghana’s GDP, illegal mining...

The new FORAM NEWSLETTER is out! Find out more about FORAM, its objectives and the way it will make a difference. IN THIS SECOND EDITION… Interview with Dr. Karen Hanghoj Interview with Prof. Victoire de Margerie Interview with Harikrishnan Tulsidas FORAM project global mapping and analysis of raw materials initiatives The FORAM project at the World Resources Forum (WRF) Enhancing dialogues among FORAM stakeholders Download the 2nd FORAM...

Investing in the European future we want – High Level Group report on maximising the impact of EU Research & Innovation Programmes   On Monday 3rd of July, the “Research & Innovation – shaping our future” conference took place at the Charlemagne Conference Centre in Brussels hosted by Carlos Moedas, Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation. In the context of the interim evaluation of Horizon 2020, a report on the impact of European research and innovation programmes has been introduced by Pascal Lamy, Chair of the High Level Group of Experts set up by the European Commission last September 2016. The report defends 11 recommendations aimed at maximising the impact of the EU’s investment in research and innovation. Click here to download the full...

The Geoscientific Knowledge and Skills in African Geological Surveys (PanAfGeo) Project, presented last 29th August in Cape Town, South Africa, during the 35th International Geological Congress (IGC35), has attracted more than 200 participants, mainly from African Countries. The project’s aim, in fact, is to organise a series of effective and impacting trainings for the staff of the African geological administrations in the field of remote sensing and geoscientific mapping, mineral resources assessment, environmental management of mines, artisanal and small-scale mining, geoscience information management, geohazards monitoring and geoheritage valorization. Mr. Mosebenzi Joseph Zwane, Minister of Mineral Resources of the Republic of South Africa, opened the symposium, highlighting the full support of his ministry for such initiative. Stronger administrations, means more and better information, less bureaucracy and more transparency in the administrative steps, that translates into more investment attractiveness. Also raw materials trade is important, as countries would benefit of the synergies and commerce with relatively wealthy neighbouring ones. A similarly strong same support came from Mr Frank Mugyenyi, Senior Industry Advisor to African Union Commissioner Acyl, who sees in the Organisation of African Geological Surveys an ideal partner for developing more conscious decision making procedures, in terms of economic and infrastructure development, and encourage entrepreneurial activities. Mr Verbruggen, President of EuroGeoSurveys, expressed satisfaction for having reached this milestone, after so many months of joint effort, but reminded that the real challenge is starting now and that huge expectations lie behind this project. However the premises are great, especially because a good start is half the job. Stronger Geological Surveys mean stronger local industries and more investments from abroad, is what has been recognised by all the stakeholders invited at the panel discussion, such as Mr. Marcus Cornaro, European Union Ambassador to the Republic of South...

On the 28th and 29th of June 2016 the ‘Exchange of best practices on mining policies and technologies’ event hosted by the European Commission (DG GROW) took place at the Hotel Metropole, in Brussels. The challenges for the mining sector in the current state of the global economy and commodity prices (economic issues, investment, innovation, readjustments both from governments and industry, etc.) as well as the mining waste management and the ongoing EU actions on international co-operation on raw materials were discussed among several other topics.  Speakers from all over the world: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico, Peru, South Africa and the US participated. Mrs Lowri Evans, the Director-General from DG GROW, welcomed the attendees with a very engaging speech mentioning President Juncker’s plans about Horizon 2020: “We use this research innovation program to bring together partners from around the globe with 600 million euro committed to 28 successful projects on raw material  before 2020. ”and: “In our technologies projects the program is wide enough to cover the entire value chain of raw materials and our projects are developing very interesting aspects (…) to try to unlock new innovative solutions.” Finally, she ended her speech by saying: ”The more we are approaching things in an intimated way the better we are able to help the mining industry, deliver what we need for the European economy, for the global economy and for the benefit of people”. The President of the EuroGeoSurveys, Mr. Koen Verbruggen, pointed out the contribution of the European Geological Surveys (EGS) that are all together  dealing with the geoscience challenges. He underlined the importance of the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) on raw materials:” We are trying to match these needs to progress these issues on technologies to deal with challenges with the EU funding...