Africa 's Mineral Resources Ministers Endorse ECA inspired Mining Vision

Abstract

The 1st Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Conference of Ministers Responsible for Mineral Resources Development ended on Friday 17th October with a tacit endorsement of the draft “Africa Mining Vision”, which has been drafted by a team of sector experts under the leadership of ECA. The task force included experts from the African Union Commission (AUC), African Development Bank (AfDB), UNCTAD, and UNIDO in Addis Ababa, 20 October 2008 ECA. The Conference was attended by 37 African countries and more than 35 Regional Economic Communities (RECs), international organizations and civil society organizations. African ministers of mines also convened a round table discussion with representatives of international and continental mining companies to discuss the Vision, as well as the work that the mining companies are undertaking to promote sustainable development in the sector, and agree on a future compact for change.