South Africa and Niger signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate in geology and mining, South Africa's Department of Mineral Resources announced on the sidelines of the Mining Indaba conference in Cape Town, South Africa.
The cooperation will focus on the entire value chain of mining, from exploration to beneficiation, and teams from both countries are due to meet at the conference to assess first steps to implement the memorandum.
"The signing of this MOU is significant, as it kick-starts a process of greater collaboration between our two countries as we seek to advance our economies, and in the broader interests of the continent at large." South African Mining Minister Mosebenzi Zwane said after meeting with Niger's minister of mines, Hassane Baraze Moussa. "We have, over the past year, undertaken working visits across the continent to strengthen bilateral relations, and in all instances, issues including investment, [research and development], infrastructure, skills development have been paramount."
Niger's minister noted the significance of the move in supporting the country's efforts to mitigate its dependence on uranium and diversify the economy.
