France gives €10.2m to boost mining sector
The French government has given €10.2 million to assist in the implementation of the Geological Mapping and Mineral Assessment Project (Gemmap) being implemented through the Department of Mining.
The project is scheduled to be launched on June 15 at the Bingu International Conference Centre by Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining, Bright Msaka.
Principal Secretary in the ministry, Kester Kaphaizi, said the objective of the project is to acquire relevant geo-scientific data to be used to promote and maximize the mining sector’s contribution to the country’s socio-economic development.
Kaphaizi said the implementation of Gemmap is consistent with the government of Malawi’s development blue print, the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy as well as the Mines and Minerals Policy document of February 2013.
“Through the project, we will also do ground follow ups of the airborne geophysical data results, though this will cover all areas in the country. The project will also help us to assess the types of minerals that are available in the country,” he said.
Kaphaizi said the project is also consistent with French cooperation policy for the mining sector in Africa.
He said one of the priorities of the French policy is to help African countries to acquire and manage geological information by updating and refreshing national geological data.
“The components of the project include geological mapping of the whole country at various scales, mineral resources potential mapping, natural risk, technical support to small scale mining and improvement of geological survey laboratory capacity,” said Kaphaizi.
