Industrial Minerals and Artisanal Mining Study (Ethiopia World Bank Energy Access Project) : summary of activities, findings and recommendations of industrial minerals sub-project

Morgan, D.J.. 2007 Industrial Minerals and Artisanal Mining Study (Ethiopia World Bank Energy Access Project) : summary of activities, findings and recommendations of industrial minerals sub-project. Nottingham, UK, British Geological Survey, 28pp. (CR/06/181N) (Unpublished)

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Abstract/Summary

This report describes the findings of the industrial minerals sub-project of the Industrial Minerals and Artisanal Mining Study, one of three projects carried out by the British Geological Survey for the Ethiopia Energy Access Project – Mineral Component, under funding from the World Bank. The current status of the industrial minerals sub-sector in Ethiopia has been assessed through a survey of producers and users, data on domestic production and imports, and reference to conventional publications and information available on the world wide web. In addition, capacity building within the sub-sector has been approached through an intensive five-day workshop on industrial minerals evaluation for Geological Survey of Ethiopia and Ministry of Mines and Energy staff, a two-week study tour of industrial minerals operations in the UK by GSE staff, and a project completion workshop which has brought together, for the first time, producers and users of industrial minerals, together with relevant GSE staff. Input on databasing of industrial minerals information and promotional aspects has also been made to the parallel project ‘Geological Survey and Investment Promotion Study’, also conducted by the British Geological Survey. A new-format industrial minerals map of Ethiopia has been designed. Key issues raised by the present study with respect to the industrial minerals sub-sector in Ethiopia are: • Poor quality and consistency of locally-produced industrial minerals • Over-reliance by local manufacturers on imported materials • Lack of technical information on industrial mineral deposits (mineralogical and chemical composition, use-related test data and processing characteristics) • Lack of central facilities capable of providing the above information • Small size of the internal market for these minerals, which inhibits investment in existing deposits and new ventures • Little engagement by the Geological Survey of Ethiopia with producers and users of industrial minerals (the ‘stakeholders’) Although current consumption of industrial minerals within Ethiopia is small, increasing industrialisation, and consequent rise in per capita incomes linked to improvements in living standards, will result in a marked rise in demand for these commodities. For the reasons outlined above, the industrial minerals sub-sector is currently ill-equipped to meet this challenge. A better-resourced and focused GSE is seen as essential to improving this situation, and the following recommendations provide a medium-term strategy to help achieve this purpose. Recommendation 1: The Geological Survey of Ethiopia engages with producers and users of industrial minerals, and acts as a focal point for market intelligence and technical information on these commodities Recommendation 2: The Geological Survey of Ethiopia places greater emphasis on geological mapping of specific deposits and proactive exploration for specific commodities Recommendation 3: Facilities within the Central Geological Laboratory of the GSE are expanded so that it can provide the technical information on industrial mineral deposits required by producers, users and potential investors Recommendation 4: The current staff complement of the GSE industrial minerals exploration division is strengthened, ideally by some ‘new-blood’ recruitment at minimum MSc level, to meet the recommended changed remit and increased workload Recommendation 5: The current staff complement of the GSE Central Geological Laboratory is strengthened, ideally by some ‘new-blood’ recruitment at minimum MSc level, to meet the need to provide enhanced technical information on industrial minerals Recommendation 6: Donor aid should be sought to provide support and training to the GSE industrial minerals exploration division and the CGL through a transitional period of two years Recommendation 6.1: A resident expert with 10 years’ experience in industrial minerals promotion exercises in developing countries and a sound knowledge in mineral processing technology should be attached to the industrial minerals exploration division Recommendation 6.2: A resident expert with 10 years’ experience in laboratory evaluation of industrial minerals and, ideally, some experience in industry, should be attached to the CGL Recommendation 6.3: The CGL would require a budget of the order of US$ 350-400K for major items of equipment and up to US$ 100K for minor items of equipment, reagents and standards, in order to meet its increased commitments for industrial minerals evaluation (details in Appendix 2) Recommendation 6.4: Staff of the GSE industrial minerals exploration division designated as minerals commodity officers should be seconded for a three-month period to a geoscience organisation that maintains a commodity/statistics service Recommendation 6.5: Staff of the CGL with specific responsibility for industrial minerals assessment, including testing and processing, should be seconded for a three-month period to external laboratories carrying out similar work

Item Type:	Publication - Report
Programmes:	BGS Programmes > International
Funders/Sponsors:	World Bank
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	This item has been internally reviewed but not externally peer-reviewed
Additional Keywords:	Industrial minerals; Ethiopia; Clive Mitchell
NORA Subject Terms:	Earth Sciences
Date made live:	20 Sep 2012 13:38 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/19660

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