There is need to improve the knowledge and skills base of the mining sector in Central Africa through the transition from artisanal mining to small-scale mining, which will also mitigate fatalities on site, said University of Johannesburg (UJ) professor Dr Steven Rupprecht during an Artisanal and Small Scale Mining (ASSM) seminar at the University of the Witwatersrand last week.

“Artisanal mining is labour intensive and is generally conducted using hand digging methods and is more dangerous than small- or large-scale mining operations,” he explained.

Owing to this, Rupprecht indicated that, in order for mining to become more productive and safer, UJ’s ASSM Programme has researched the skills and tools that are necessary to assist in establishing a sustainable small-scale mining industry. This will cause a migration from manual labour to semi-mechanised mining and processing.

Focusing on Rwanda and Burundi as countries situated in Central Africa which are in need of this transition and development of skills, he pointed out that in the last 80 years a number of artisanal miners operating in Rwanda have been fatally injured. This has led to the Rwanda government’s attempt to restructure the mining regulations that influence the sector.

“Although the Rwanda government has taken this step, modifying the regulations is not enough to reverse this trend as there is a real need to improve the knowledge and skill base of the mining industry,” Rupprecht highlighted.

Moreover, the involvement by government, mining company owners, consultants and businesses in ensuring that real solutions that address the challenge are found has become paramount.

In Burundi, Rupprecht mentioned that the potential that the mining industry possesses to grow the county’s economy has not yet been fully realised and with the development of skills, the industry could contribute positively to the economy of the country.

“However, to do this, govern-ment has to consider deploying accredited mining courses through universities and technical colleges,” he emphasised.

Through developing the necessary knowledge and skills in the fundamental areas of mining, Rupprecht said it was proposed that artisanal mining could become more productive and safer.

“This will lead to safe, healthy, environment- and community-orientated mining operation, with the objective of uplifting the skills and wealth of the workers and the general community.”