African mining ministers endorse sector action plan

By Ibrahim Kasita

African mining experts, senior government officials and their ministers responsible for mineral resources development have are concerned about escalating high poverty levels in Africa amidst abundant mineral resources.

In their “Addis Ababa Declaration on Building a Sustainable Future for Africa’s Extractive Industry – From Vision to Action,” the officials said were aware of the significant contribution the mining sector can make towards Africa’s broad-based socio-economic development and to the achievement of the millennium development goals (MDGs).

“Convinced that Africa needs to swiftly reform its policy space to align it to the tenets of the Africa Mining Vision and that at the centre of the Vision is a development al state that integrates the mining sector into broader social and economic developmental processes to maximize the benefits derivable from mineral resources exploitation,” they declared.

The declaration was made on last week (Friday) at the Second African Union Conference of Ministers Responsible for Minerals Resources Development held at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The ministers are aware that minerals are finite resources, the exploitation of which will not last forever and must be prudently utilized for the benefit of present and future generation.

They have re-affirmed commitment to prudent, transparent and efficient development and management of Africa’s mineral resources to meet the MDGs, eradicate poverty, and achieve rapid and broad-based sustainable socio-economic development.

“Call on African Union member states to create the fiscal environment that enhances mineral revenue accruing to African mining countries to help finance African growth and development by optimizing tax packages without discouraging mining investment, as well as through building capacity to negotiate improved fiscal provisions, arrest tax leakages and effectively monitor compliance with taxation laws,” the document reads.

They requested member states to scale up efforts to enhance human and institutional capacities through improved  support to institutions for mineral research and development, human resources development, and those supporting mineral development in general and to strengthen cross-country accessibility of learning programmes as well as collaboration in research and development.

They encourage member state to create the environment for a viable and sustainable artisanal and small scale mining sector that contributes to growth and development through improved artisanal and small mining policies and technical, financial and business support programmes as well as targeted capacity building support for small miners.

The experts undertook to strengthen transparency, accountability and access to information, improve public participation and provide capacity building programmes for local communities, civil society and the legislature in order to provide effective oversight that will create a well-governed mining sector that is inclusive and appreciated by stakeholders.

“Call on AU member states to create a mineral sector that is environmentally friendly and is socially responsible through strengthened environmental, health and safety standards, as well as through monitoring the implementation of environmental and social funds,” the document reads.

The experts called on the mining companies operating in Africa to adopt good corporate governance and adhere to the Sustainable Development Charter of the international Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).

They endorsed the action plan as a continental tool for guiding the prudent, transparent and efficient development and management of Africa’s mineral resources, as called for by the Africa Mining Vision (AMV) in order to meet the MDGs, eradicate poverty and secure intergenerational equity through broad-based sustainable socio-economic development.