Africa, Europe partnership in mining sector key to meeting UN SDGs – Lands Minister

 Mr Samuel A. Jinapor, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, has laid special emphasis on the need for mutually beneficial part­nership between African countries and their European counterparts for the adoption of more sus­tainable and eco-friendly ways of exploiting mineral resources,

Delivering the keynote address at the 2024 Mining On Top Africa Conference in Paris, France, the Lands Minister expressed the ur­gent need for the jettisoning of the historical inequalities that had exist­ed between mineral producing Af­rican countries and the developed countries, noting that a relationship that guaranteed mutual benefit for both the West and Africa would be a step in furtherance of attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development (SDGs).

Mr Jinapor explained that mineral producing countries were transi­tioning from the outmoded practice of ‘dug and ship’ with the new method anchored on value addition and local participation.

He emphasized the overarching importance of a partnership an­chored on equitable distribution of benefits as that would help African countries to raise the resources to play a central role in the fight against climate change.

“The SDGs provide a framework to address climate change, resource depletion, and socioeconomic inequalities which threaten the well-being of our global commu­nity. Mutually beneficial mining partnerships between Europe and Africa are crucial to meeting these 2030 Goals. For our modern day lives, depend largely, on mining and the appropriate use of variety of minerals,” he said.

“We must, therefore, consider the benefits generated through value addition and the ability to trans­form them into innovative products and associated service, to meet the needs of modern living. We must ensure that the framework for the exploitation of these minerals, favourably, generates benefits which are equitably distributed among all stakeholders, including countries and communities that host these minerals.

“Through these partnerships, we can tackle environmental degrada­tion, social conflicts, and economic inequalities, while promoting effi­ciency and safety at the mine. Our Economic Partnership Agreements must, therefore, be designed not only to foster trade and investment, but promote value addition to the minerals we mine, create job oppor­tunities for economic growth, and tackle poverty,”

“This, obviously, calls for the implementation of mining-friendly policies that protect the interest of citizens and investors alike, while championing environmental sustainability. That is why Ghana, under the distinguished leadership of President Akufo-Addo, has adopted a Green Minerals Policy which aims at promoting value ad­dition and beneficiation across the value chain of our green minerals, while contributing, substantially, to the green energy transition.

“Our aim is to ensure the reten­tion of the full value chain of these critical minerals in the country, to the extent possible. Already, we have established through a Public Private Partnership, 400 kilogramme capacity gold refinery, to refine the gold we produce,” the Minister said.

He implored the countries to live up to the tenets of the Paris Agree­ment which enjoins the countries to commit resources to the fight against climate change.

Mining On Top Africa Con­ference is a prestigious event that brings together Ministers from various African countries and prominent industry stakeholders for a two-day summit focused on fostering partnerships between European and African nations for the sustainable exploration and development of mineral resources.

Mr Benjamin Gallezot, an expert from the Department of Critical Metals in France, in a speech read on his behalf, emphasized that sustainability and value addition in mineral exploration are press­ing issues that require immediate attention.

 BY TIMES REPORTER, PARIS, FRANCE