The African Union is to launch an African Minerals Development Centre so as to ensure that African Governments are better equipped to negotiate better mining and exploration terms and contracts.  This emerged at the second edition of the Junior Indaba, which is a gathering of small and medium sized mining players.

Through the African Minerals development centre and the mooted African Commodity Strategy, “Mind-sets will be changed [and] the value add to our natural resources will be increased from 15% to at least 30%” said Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, the African Union Commission Chairperson.  This will facilitate for the creation of at least 7milion jobs on the continent within the first year of implementation.

In order to implement this strategy Dr Dlamini Zuma called on the mining and education sectors to invest in much needed skills particularly as it relates to the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics areas. 

The Indaba continues up until tomorrow (2nd June) at the Johannesburg Country Club in Auckland Park.