By Winnie Kamau
The African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC) held a high level Geological experts meeting in Cape Town, South Africa.
The meeting aimed at strategizing and coordinating the African Geological Mineral Information System (GMIS). The strategy according the AUC will introduce Africa Mining Vision (AMV) compliant initiatives that will improve geological and geospatial information and its use in mining and broad development processes in Africa.
More than 54 Directors General from African Geological Survey Organisations (AGSOs), representatives of regional economic commissions, African geological initiatives, partner organisations and experts from international organisations attended the meeting they reviewed the GMIS Strategy. The strategy zeroed on the Organisation of African Geological Survey (OAGS) as the organization plays a crucial role as the continental Coordination body of the geological and mineral information systems.
Senior Industry Advisor of the African Union Commission, Frank Dixon Mugyenyi, emphasized that ,“The GMIS Strategy is a crucial step in bringing in together essential geological information that could benefit the entire African resource industry. This is a first, consolidating geological information of the African continent to benefit social and economic development of the African people.”
It is expected that the GMIS Strategy will promote development of Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) among African countries as a tool for GMIS management. The strategy will conventionally open access and facilitate data sharing and distribution across various levels of users, including private sector and government agencies. Also increase regional and national mapping and exploration activities. The blueprint will also provide additional support to the development of continent-wide mineral inventory.
