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PRODID:-//ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme - ECPv6.11.2.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN
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X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://developmentminerals.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme
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DTSTART:20230101T000000
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240926
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240929
DTSTAMP:20260404T192803
CREATED:20250617T143025Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250618T133604Z
UID:10000023-1727308800-1727567999@developmentminerals.org
SUMMARY:West African Mining Week (SAMAO 2024)
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ column_width_percent=”100″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ content_parallax=”0″ uncode_shortcode_id=”133335″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ gutter_size=”2″ overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ uncode_shortcode_id=”196016″][vc_separator sep_color=”color-210407″ uncode_shortcode_id=”488145″ sep_color_type=”uncode-palette”][uncode_custom_fields post_type=”tribe_events” field_elements=”value”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ width=”1/1″ uncode_shortcode_id=”175217″][vc_single_image dynamic=”yes” caption=”yes” media_width_percent=”100″ alignment=”center” uncode_shortcode_id=”862836″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”146318″]The Sixth Edition of the West African Mining Week (SAMAO 2024) on the theme “Critical minerals: What development strategies for African countries?” was organized by the Government of Burkina Faso with the aim to promote the mining sector. The SAMAO 2024 brought together over 2000 delegates from sixteen countries Burkina Faso\, Belgium\, Cameroon\, Chad\, Côte d’Ivoire\, Congo-Brazzaville\, Demographic Republic of Congo\, Ethiopia\, Guinea\, Niger\, Nigeria\, Mali\, Senegal\, Togo\, Uganda and Zambia. \nDuring a session dedicated to Development Minerals\, the Programme brought together a panel of experts to explore the potential of construction materials in Burkina Faso and more widely in the region. The panel addressed topics such as energy saving\, architectural designs\, climate change mitigation\, and the role of low carbon materials\, fostering insightful discussions and knowledge exchange. SAMAO 2025 showcased the importance of Development Minerals in driving sustainable and eco-friendly construction. \nIn a forum dedicated to large scale mining of gold and other metals\, the participation has created visibility for Development Minerals\, and their contribution to local\, sustainable economic development\, underscored through steady participation since the second edition of SAMAO. During this recent\, sixth edition\, artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) of Development Minerals took center stage in discussion of ASM issues. \nFrom their potentials to the versatile uses including low-carbon materials for infrastructure development and construction\, the unique versatility of these materials and how the Programme is working to promote them in the ACP regions showcased economic diversification opportunities while responding to climate challenges through low-carbon materials promotion. The session contributed to shaping the narrative in mining for development. The final communiqué of SAMAO included several sector development measures\, including formalisation and value addition.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image media=”151560″ caption=”yes” media_width_percent=”100″ alignment=”center” uncode_shortcode_id=”880059″][vc_single_image media=”151561″ caption=”yes” media_width_percent=”100″ alignment=”center” uncode_shortcode_id=”882472″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://developmentminerals.org/event/west-african-mining-week-samao-2024/
LOCATION:Ouagadougou\, Burkina Faso
CATEGORIES:Burkina Faso,Global
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240924
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240926
DTSTAMP:20260404T192803
CREATED:20250617T142437Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250617T143215Z
UID:10000022-1727136000-1727308799@developmentminerals.org
SUMMARY:Africa Forum on Low-Carbon Materials and Value Addition to Development Minerals
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ column_width_percent=”100″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ content_parallax=”0″ uncode_shortcode_id=”133335″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ gutter_size=”2″ overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ uncode_shortcode_id=”196016″][vc_separator sep_color=”color-210407″ uncode_shortcode_id=”488145″ sep_color_type=”uncode-palette”][uncode_custom_fields post_type=”tribe_events” field_elements=”value”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ width=”1/1″ uncode_shortcode_id=”175217″][vc_single_image dynamic=”yes” caption=”yes” media_width_percent=”100″ alignment=”center” uncode_shortcode_id=”862836″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”279457″]The Africa Forum on Low-Carbon Materials and Value Addition to Development Minerals was held in Ouagadougou\, Burkina Faso from 24th to 25th September\, 2024. It was organized by UNDP\, implementing the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme\, under the auspices of the Government of Burkina Faso and in association with the West Africa Mining Week (SAMAO 2024). \nThe Forum brought together nearly 200 national and international participants\, who came to share their expertise and experiences. The Forum was attended by delegates/representatives from governments\, artisanal small-cale mining sector (ASM)\, mining companies\, construction companies\, academia\, researchers and trainers from Burkina Faso\, Cameroon\, Guinea\, Nigeria\, Senegal\, Togo\, as well as online speakers from Ethiopia\, and Germany. \nThe Forum discussed ways in which businesses and artisanal and small-scale miners collaborate with governments and researchers to add value to Development Minerals to produce construction materials that use local materials and create jobs and wealth. The Forum also raised awareness about low-carbon construction materials that have less environmental footprint and lower greenhouse gas emissions compared with conventional construction materials and promoted alternative and sustainable materials. It advocated for using locally available resources to promote entrepreneurship among young people and women\, and respond to the challenges of growing urbanization\, while doing so in an environmentally sustainable manner. \nSuch entrepreneurship would start addressing critical challenges faced in Africa\, such as facilitating access to decent housing\, creation of decent jobs\, climate action and environmental protection\, diversification of economic opportunities and the use of local materials\, development of small and medium-enterprises\, local content development\, and the need for indigenous solutions for integrated development. \nThe Forum provided a unique opportunity for stakeholders from diverse countries to exchange good experiences in value-addition to minerals such as clays\, sand\, stone\, laterites and volcanic materials\, in production of low-carbon materials\, in innovations and research in these materials\, in building materials standards that embrace innovation and are suitable for climates in Africa\, and in vocational training and higher education. \nBringing together international experts and ASM stakeholders\, the Forum helped to raise knowledge and awareness on technical aspects of low-carbon materials\, including research\, manufacture and adoption of low-carbon materials\, environmentally-friendly and socially-embedded architecture\, and discussed the ways forward for the promotion and popularization of these materials.  \nThe forum further explored opportunities for cross-country partnerships through skills development and training programs and provided an opportunity for networking and mentorship linkages.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://developmentminerals.org/event/africa-forum-on-low-carbon-materials-and-value-addition-to-development-minerals/
LOCATION:Ouagadougou\, Burkina Faso
CATEGORIES:Burkina Faso,Global
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://developmentminerals.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240923
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240924
DTSTAMP:20260404T192803
CREATED:20250617T144025Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260209T151402Z
UID:10000028-1727049600-1727135999@developmentminerals.org
SUMMARY:Training of Trainers on Low-Carbon Materials: Stabilized Earth Brickmaking and Demonstration Building
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ column_width_percent=”100″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ content_parallax=”0″ uncode_shortcode_id=”133335″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ gutter_size=”2″ overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ uncode_shortcode_id=”196016″][vc_separator sep_color=”color-210407″ uncode_shortcode_id=”488145″ sep_color_type=”uncode-palette”][uncode_custom_fields post_type=”tribe_events” field_elements=”value”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ width=”1/1″ uncode_shortcode_id=”175217″][vc_single_image dynamic=”yes” caption=”yes” media_width_percent=”100″ alignment=”center” uncode_shortcode_id=”862836″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”329199″]The Programme organized a Training of Trainers on production of Stabilized Earth Bricks – a type of low-carbon material following the Africa Forum on Low-Carbon Materials and SAMAO 2024. During the training\, 100 practitioners – artisanal miners\, researchers\, students and experts from Burkina Faso and guest delegates – put into practice the knowledge about low-carbon materials that they gained during the preceding Africa Forum. \nThe TOT put the spirit of South-South cooperation and knowledge sharing into practice\, mobilizing a team of trainers comprised of experts from Cameroon\, an expert from Nigeria\, locally available expertise from Burkina Faso – engineers\, architects\, researchers and practitioners. \nThe TOT combined theoretical and practical training.  \nDuring a 3-day theoretical training\, experts guided participants through Stabilized Earth Bricks (SEB) construction techniques\, sustainability challenges\, and the role of Development Minerals in the economy. To set the tone\,  a documentary on Djenné – a world heritage site − showcased earthen architectural heritage\, a historical masterpiece of traditional Sahelian architecture typical to Mali\, Burkina Faso and Niger. Participants then were guided to design a model building.  \nThe remaining two weeks were dedicated to the practical training on the premises of the General Directorate of Quarries. During this hands-on training\, the participants learned and practiced production of Stabilized Earth Bricks under a supervision by experts from the Programme and Cameroon. They produced nearly 6\,000 stabilized earth bricks.  \nOverall\, participants learned making Stabilized Earth Bricks\, which is one type of low-carbon materials\, and elements of earth construction techniques\, how to organize and manage a production unit\, and business approaches. The training provided valuable skills for value-addition to Development Minerals to learners within a short period\, using minerals available in abundance locally\, with quality techniques and low-cost production processes. \nThe training culminated in construction of a demonstration building as an added asset for promoting the value of low-carbon building materials and raising awareness about the potential for skills development for youth. The building was constructed on the premises of the Directorate General of Quarries (DGC) of the Ministry of Energy\, Mines and Quarries.  \nThe prototype low-carbon materials building aims to demonstrate opportunities in using local materials\, technical expertise and indigenous knowledge\, to build buildings that can meet different purposes – from office buildings to social housing that can be scaled up in the future\, to meet the demand for public infrastructure and housing in fast-growing African nations. \nThe Training of Trainers also promoted cultural heritage\, local materials and indigenous knowledge of women painters from Kassena ethnic group from Tiébélé in Burkina Faso\, who adorned the building with their traditional mural art. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://developmentminerals.org/event/training-of-trainers-on-low-carbon-materials-stabilized-earth-brickmaking-and-demonstration-building/
LOCATION:Ouagadougou\, Burkina Faso
CATEGORIES:Burkina Faso
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://developmentminerals.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/DSC1790-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230926
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230928
DTSTAMP:20260404T192803
CREATED:20250617T140928Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250617T142015Z
UID:10000021-1695686400-1695859199@developmentminerals.org
SUMMARY:Knowledge-Sharing Workshop on Challenges and Opportunities for the Development Minerals Sector
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ column_width_percent=”100″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ content_parallax=”0″ uncode_shortcode_id=”133335″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ gutter_size=”2″ overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ uncode_shortcode_id=”196016″][vc_separator sep_color=”color-210407″ uncode_shortcode_id=”488145″ sep_color_type=”uncode-palette”][uncode_custom_fields post_type=”tribe_events” field_elements=”value”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ width=”1/1″ uncode_shortcode_id=”175217″][vc_single_image dynamic=”yes” caption=”yes” media_width_percent=”100″ alignment=”center” uncode_shortcode_id=”862836″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”599067″]This workshop\, dubbed the “pre-SAMAO workshop” contributed to the advancement of Burkina Faso’s Development Minerals sector. Jointly organized by the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme\, UNDP Burkina Faso\, and the Ministry of Energy\, Mines and Quarries\, the event assembled 150 stakeholders and technical experts. It facilitated structured South-South knowledge transfer among ACP-EU Programme partner countries\, targeting sectoral optimization through analytical discourse. \nThe primary objectives of the workshop centered on accelerating formalization of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Enterprises (ASMEs); value chain enhancement for Development Minerals; Environmental\, Health\, and Safety (EHS) standardization across community-impact operations; promotion of climate-resilient\, economically viable alternative materials (e.g.\, Stabilized Earth Bricks for circular economy/zero-waste applications); and SME growth and employment generation\, specifically addressing youth and women’s unemployment through sustainable enterprise models. \nTechnical sessions during the workshop focused on four domains: \n\nASME formalization methodologies\nEHS best practices in mineral extraction and processing\nCircular economy Integration via stabilized earth brick production\nSand value chain optimization for national economic integration\n\nThe workshop established a foundational technical dialogue preceding the 5th SAMAO Mining Conference\, directly aligning with strategic imperatives for sectoral resilience\, inclusive growth\, and environmental governance within Burkina Faso’s development minerals landscape. \nPresentations were made by the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme (UNDP)’s staff\, ASMEs from Cameroon\, academia and researchers from the University of Dschang; regulators from the Republic of Congo\, Burkina Faso and Tanzania\, as well as the expert from UNEP-GRID Geneva. The highlights of the workshop were the practical demonstration sessions in making compressed earth bricks from laterite\, demonstration of energy-efficient cooking stove from clay made in Cameroon\, as well as technical guidance for production of clay pottery. The event also served as a platform to conduct training for trainers on environmental\, health and safety issues\, and on a zero-waste approach to laterite quarrying. \nThe workshop had strong ownership by the Ministry of Mines\, Energy and Quarries\, strong South-South collaboration orientation and vibrant exchanges. For the first time\, artisanal miners\, potters\, policy makers and practitioners from across the four focus countries met in person to share knowledge on critical issues pertaining to the sector such as formalization\, extension services\, policy making as well as hands on training on value addition through knowledge transfer from Cameroon to new focus countries of the Programme. The workshop generated enormous interest from the participants from Burkina Faso\, Cameroon\, Chad\, Congo Brazzaville and Tanzania. \nSpeaking of the pre-SAMAO workshop at the opening ceremony\, the representative of the EU Delegation in Burkina Faso said that “supporting such an activity makes the organization proud…; several delegations will share their experiences; this is something that is very important”. \nThe Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy\, Mines and Quarries\, Burkina Faso\, said in closing: “In many jurisdictions\, the legislative framework is geared towards issues relating to large-scale mining. Regulation of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) is often limited to title issues with very little provision for other aspects – from a sustainability and viability perspective. ASM has long been practiced as a source of income\, and the process of formalization drive is beginning to emerge only now.” He also highlighted the importance of the African Mining Vision (AMV) in “creating a mining sector that exploits the potential of mining artisanal and small-scale to advance integrated and sustainable rural socio-economic development.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://developmentminerals.org/event/knowledge-sharing-workshop-on-challenges-and-opportunities-for-the-development-minerals-sector/
LOCATION:Ouagadougou\, Burkina Faso
CATEGORIES:Burkina Faso
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://developmentminerals.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Family-Photo_African-Forum-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
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