Skills and education: the key to unlocking development from mining

The journal of Australia’s mining professional association, AusIMM Bulletin, this month features an article on the importance of education and training to achieving sustainable mining development. It can be found 

Written by IM4DC Deputy Director Education and Australian Capability, Robin Evans, the article draws on three years of experience with IM4DC to identify critical success factors for effective capacity-building:

  • Integrated and ongoing engagement of stakeholders
  • Institutional linkages
  • Opportunities for exchanging experiences and practices
  • Engagement of industry.

The article concludes that “there is no doubt that Australia is well regarded in many developing countries for both its expertise in the technical aspects of mining, as well as its approach to mining governance”.

It quotes the Zambian Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development, The Hon Christopher Yaluma, who said in December 2014 at the Zambia Mining for Development Alumni Day:

“In relation to the issues of capacity-building, I wish to commend our cooperating partners, the Australian Government, for the support to Zambia with regard to knowledge transfer, capacity development and professional training … It is the view of the Zambian Government that it is only the availability of such skills, knowledge and experiences which will guide and determine the future of mining in Zambia.”