DMP delivers mining best practice workshops in Africa
| Date: | Friday, 25 November 2016 |
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Senior Western Australian and Australian Government officials recently returned from Africa where they delivered a series of two day workshops.
The workshops were designed to provide support and advice on responsible mining resource development.
DMP’s Executive Director Environment Dr Phil Gorey, who was part of the delegation, said the workshops were coordinated as part of a memorandum of understanding signed in 2014 between the Western Australian Government and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
“In collaboration with the Australian Embassies in Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, the Australian High Commissions in Kenya and Nigeria, and COMESA, these workshops are set up to help the countries’ capacity to deliver enhanced mineral exploration and mining regimes, and promote ongoing education and training in mineral policy governance,” he said.
The workshops will also foster partnerships for knowledge sharing and skills transfer to help ensure leading practice in Africa.
Dr Gorey said the workshops were well received and covered a range of topics including legislation and administration of a sustainable mining sector, using transparency to prevent disputes, land use and land access, the use of geoscience information and royalties, revenue design and administration.
“The workshops allowed us to share Western Australia’s 120 years’ experience in developing the mineral resources industry and resulted in some healthy debate among attendees, particularly on the potential for adaptation to the African environment,” he said.
Western Australia has earnt the international reputation of being one of the most attractive investment locations for mineral and energy resources, so it is understandable that other jurisdictions are keen to learn from us.
