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Leonard Ncube Victoria Falls Reporter
THE AFRICAN Union has backed Zimbabwe’s plans to build the proposed Pan-African Minerals University of Science and Technology as it will play a crucial role in the development of the continent’s mining industry.The continent is also planning to set up the African Union Minerals Development Centre (AMDC) and Zimbabwe will support Zambia’s bid for the centre to be established in the neighbouring country.

Some of the proposed AMDC’s functions include implementing an African mining vision, foster stability and cooperation in the minerals sector, ensuring value addition for mineral resources and supporting member states’ mining projects.

After attending the 1st extra-ordinary session of the 4th African Union Conference of Ministers responsible for Mineral Resources Development that is being co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Zambia in Victoria Falls and Livingstone yesterday, Mines and Mining Development Permanent Secretary Professor Francis Gudyanga who presented a paper on the proposed university with a broader African vision of speeding up development and research, said the concept was welcomed by all member states.

“This conference is a carryover from the Maputo one where a proposal to set up a minerals centre was tabled. There’re some issues that weren’t finalised hence this extra ordinary session was convened,” said Prof Gudyanga.

He said the officials were debating the legal framework for the establishment of the centre, funding mechanisms and where it could be established. Technocrats are expected to present a report to Ministers of Minerals who are expected to arrive in Victoria Falls tomorrow.

“Zimbabwe presented its vision of the Pan African Minerals University of Science and Technology and the presentation was well received. In fact member states wanted to know how soon this would be in place,” said Prof Gudyanga.

He said once in place, the mining institution would spur development on the continent through post-graduate and masters’ degree programmes in geology, mining engineering, extraction, and metallurgy as well as value addition.

The institution is expected to churn out lecturers and personnel in related departments to be deployed to institutions of higher learning in the country and the continent at large.

“There’s a shortage of lecturers for mining related courses at institutions of higher learning and this specialised institution will within two years start producing  such personnel to man these institutions. It will also act as a repository for our mining sector.

“The set-up has since been approved by Cabinet and the Bill is now set to be sent to Parliament for consideration,” said Prof Gudyanga.