Cape Town, South Africa, 11 February 2016 (ECA) – On the final day of the annual ‘Invest in African Mining’ Indaba held in Cape Town, African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC) participated in Sustainable Development Day. AMDC Coordinator Kojo Busia featured alongside other notable panelists during the session titled, ‘Supporting Resilient Communities’. The session was moderated by Sheila Khama, Director of the African Natural Resources Centre (AfDB) and the keynote address was delivered by His Majesty Kgosi Leruo Molotlegi, King of Bafokent, The Royal Bafokeng Nation.
Khama pointed out the importance of the Africa Mining Vision (AMV) and noted that transparency is key to creating resilience among communities, particularly during the economic downturn currently experienced by the minerals sector.
“The consensus around sustainability both in and outside of the industry is that we have moved to a broader understanding of the role of mining plays in the national economy and in the communities, and that all of them ought to be engaged in long term planning.” Busia went on to say, “We need long term strategic vision in order to be able to harness resources for the benefit of the community.”
The AMV represents such a vision and aims to foster dialogue between the relevant mining stakeholders, including the private sector, governments and communities. Busia stressed that this dialogue should identify the priorities of each stakeholder group. “We must align our priorities in order to come up with strategies and policy recommendations that allow all stakeholders to harness the benefits from this sector in the long term”.
END
Note for editors on the African Mining Vision:
Formally adopted by African heads of state in 2009, the Africa Mining Vision (AMV) is the continent’s own response to tackling the paradox of great mineral wealth existing side by side with pervasive poverty. Simply put, the AMV outlines the roadmap to the transparent, equitable and optimal exploitation of mineral resources to underpin broad-based sustainable growth and socio-economic development in Africa.
For more information, please contact:
Daisy Leoncio, Communications Officer, African Mineral Development Centre
dleoncio@uneca.org or visit www.africaminingvision.org
Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: ecainfo@uneca.org