ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme

Innovation to Produce Low-Carbon Materials in Garoua, Cameroon
2023-01-28 - 2024-02-05 | Commune Garoua, North region, Cameroon, Cameroon
From January 28 to February 5, 2023, a study mission was conducted in Garoua, Cameroon, as part of the “Green Mining” initiative, supported by the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme.
The East, Far North, and North regions of Cameroon are facing a severe housing deficit exacerbated by security crises. Cement is essential for producing eco-friendly compressed, or stabilized, earth bricks, which can replace fired bricks produced by burning large quantities of trees and vegetation. However, as cement is transported from far away, it is very costly in distant regions.
The mission explored the technical feasibility of producing LC2 (limestone calcined clay), a low-carbon cement variety, sampled locally available raw materials and tested the use of LC2 in stabilization of earth bricks. It examined the possibility of establishing a pilot unit for low-carbon cement production and developed a roadmap.
It concluded that minerals, materials and expertise needed for eco-construction are locally available, and that low-carbon cement production is feasible on both artisanal and semi-industrial scales. Moreover, it was found that it is possible to produce cement using biomass and biogas. The initiative to introduce low-carbon materials production in these regions also has a strong potential for job creation.

Knowledge-Sharing Workshop on Challenges and Opportunities for the Development Minerals Sector
2023-09-26 - 2023-09-27 | Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
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.
The 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.
Technical sessions during the workshop focused on four domains:

ASME formalization methodologies
EHS best practices in mineral extraction and processing
Circular economy Integration via stabilized earth brick production
Sand value chain optimization for national economic integration

The 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.
Presentations 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.
The 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.
Speaking 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”.
The 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.”

Training on Formalization, Environment, Health and Safety
2024-01-25 | Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
The Programme conducted training on value-addition, eco-construction and sustainable artisanal mining, helping strengthen the skills of artisanal and small-scale miners, particularly those working with earth materials such as laterite and clay.
Participants at the training on value addition, eco-construction, and sustainable artisanal mining, held during the Technical Session on Formalization, Environment, Health and Safety.
The training focused on value addition, eco-construction techniques, formalization of enterprises, as well as environmental protection, health, and safety throughout the mining cycle.
The training was organized by the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme in partnership with the Ministry of Mines. It brought together 52 people, including miners and ASM organisations, mineral sector stakeholders.
Participants gained practical skills to produce suitable local building materials, reduce environmental impacts, and better manage health and safety risks. The sessions combined technical presentations, practical exercises, and interactive discussions, helping participants apply safer, more sustainable, and better-organized mining practices.

Launch of the Digital Geodata Library
2024-04-12 | Suva, Fiji
In partnership with the European Union (EU) in the Pacific and the Pacific Community (SPC) the Programme supported the Mineral Resources Department (MRD) of Fiji to develop and launch its Geodata Digital Library to digitize geological data in Fiji. The Programme further supported the MRD through donation of a high-end scanner to digitize publications which can now be uploaded and accessed through the Geodata Digital Library. This will significantly improve geodata management across the country and will allow external researchers and developers within Fiji to access relevant publications, promoting greater collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Currently, access to the geodata library is limited to users within Fiji.

Exhibition of Development Minerals
2024-04-15 - 2024-04-17 | Lusaka, Zambia
Alongside the Forum on Sustainable and Inclusive Mineral Value Chains, South-South Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing, the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme organized an exhibition on Development Minerals.
The exhibition showcased products made from Development Minerals by ASM enterprises from several African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, demonstrating the impact of the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme in promoting economic empowerment and job creation.

Forum on Sustainable and Inclusive Mineral Value Chains, South-South Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing
2024-04-15 - 2024-04-17 | Lusaka, Zambia
The international Forum on Sustainable and Inclusive Mineral Value Chains addressed the importance of enhancing artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) practices, specifically focusing on Development Minerals which support livelihoods in numerous countries. Organized by the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme, and hosted by the Government of Zambia, the forum brought together over 140 participants from 30 countries.
The forum enabled knowledge exchange among various stakeholders, including government representatives, UNDP country office representatives, environmental agencies, ASM associations, mining enterprises, chambers of mines, international organizations, NGOs, academic institutions, and private sector entities. Key topics included sustainable ASM practices, governance tools, ASM and large-scale mining linkages, value-addition innovations, digital market integration, mineral information management, and the role of critical minerals in clean energy transition.
The outcomes of the forum included knowledge sharing, innovation exchange, policy advocacy, and networking to foster collaboration and advance sustainable and inclusive mineral value chains.

East and Southern Africa Regional Consultative Workshop: Towards an Artisanal and Small-scale Mining Continental Strategy
2024-04-24 - 2024-04-26 | Dar es Salam, Tanzania
The Programme supported the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC) in organizing a regional workshop to discuss the artisanal and small-scale mining strategy for East and Southern Africa.
This consultative workshop supported the implementation of the African Mining Vision (AMV) within the artisanal and small-scale mining sector by proposing a strategy to address new and emerging challenges, refining activity options, and harmonizing outcomes at sub-regional and country levels.
During the workshop, participants engaged in validating a baseline assessment and a value chain analysis of Development Minerals in Tanzania. The two analyses included a detailed profiling of the ASM sector and a review of relevant legal, policy, and institutional frameworks governing ASM in Tanzania. The analyses also addressed the environmental, health, safety, and socio-economic impacts of ASM, and emphasized gender-inclusive strategies to promote equal opportunities for both men and women within the value chain in Tanzania.
Policy discussions also focused on aligning the ASM sector with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), particularly to enhance women’s participation. The event also promoted networking and capacity-building among media practitioners to improve reporting on AMV activities while reflecting on regional implementation strategies and drawing lessons from countries in East and Southern Africa.

Copperbelt Agriculture, Mining, Industrial and Networking Enterprise (CAMINEX)
2024-05-28 - 2024-05-30 | Copperbelt, Kitwe, Zambia
The Copperbelt Agricultural, Mining, Industrial and Networking Enterprise Committee organized and hosted the 2024 edition of the Copperbelt Agricultural, Mining, Industrial and Networking Enterprise (CAMINEX) in May 2024, under the theme “Unlocking Opportunities for Growth: Zambia’s Land linked Position.” The ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme, in partnership with the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, participated to highlight and showcase implemented activities and the roadmap for future activities in the Programme. CAMINEX served as a platform to facilitate networking among ASMEs involved in the programme, resulting in increased business linkages.

ASM Cooperative Receives Made-in-Zambia Stone Crusher
2024-06-05 - 2024-06-07 | Livingstone, Zambia
To support value-addition and manufacturing in the sector, the Programme together with UNDP Zambia (Accelerator Lab), supported innovators in the ASM sector.

The Programme provided a small grant to a small-scale enterprise that makes equipment for artisanal miners. The small business run by Victor Pikiti with his son in Kabwe, Zambia, was selected among a dozen entries.

Initially started with manufacturing of agricultural equipment, Mr. Pikiti was inspired to produce equipment for small miners after he has seen the hardship and physical toil of women miners crushing stone. A stone crusher that was produced with this grant was donated to Chibelenga Manual Stone Crushers Cooperative, a women miners’ cooperative in Livingstone.
The initiative helps support domestic production of equipment, while at the same time benefitting artisanal women miners, improving their productivity and incomes. Sustainable business models to promote manufacturing of such equipment in Zambia and its adoption to improve productivity and occupational health of women who previously only used manual tools will be further explored for scaled-up adoption.

Stone for Development Work-Integrated Learning Program (now Mineral Security Masterclass)
2024-07-01 - 2024-07-12 | Suva, Fiji
In July 2024, geoscientists from Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Australia participated in the Stone for Development Work Integrated Learning Program.
This program, led by the University of Queensland (UQ) and Fiji’s Mineral Resources Department (MRD), trains early-career geoscientists in sustainable development challenges related to Pacific Development Minerals, while also building practical geoscience knowledge and skills.
The SFD program includes 40 hours of online training, followed by a two-week in-person placement in Fiji for scholarship recipients. For 2024, there were 36 registered online participants whereby 18 students (funded by DFATs new Colombo Plan) participated on work placements in Fiji and engaged in projects such as geological hazard mapping and assessment, environmental monitoring of river gravel extraction, river gravel resource assessment, and exploring the role of stone in Fiji’s architectural and cultural heritage.

Data collection for the Baseline Study on Development Minerals in the Republic of Congo
2024-07-05 - 2024-08-19 | Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
Between 5 July and 19 August 2024, field data collection activities were conducted in the Republic of Congo, as part of the Baseline Study on Development Minerals.
The lack of data on the Development Minerals and ASM sector is a major challenge in Congo. These field data collection activities consisted of gathering qualitative and quantitative information on the artisanal and small-scale mining sector to inform the programme’s baseline analysis.
Field data collection with an artisanal and small-scale miner
The activities were conducted in six Departments, including Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, Kouilou, Bouenza, Cuvette and Cuvette Ouest and covered Development Minerals such as sandstone, sand, gravel, clay, granite, as well as river beds and subsoil gravels.
The data collection focused on:

Minerals mined and mining sites
Profiles of ASM miners, organization and formalization
Mining practices and environment impacts
Market dynamics and value-chains

As a result, the activity provided field data to inform the baseline study as well as a comprehensive assessment of the Development Minerals sector, highlighting current dynamics and key factors and challenges for the development of the sector.

Training of Trainers on Low-Carbon Materials: Stabilized Earth Brickmaking and Demonstration Building
2024-09-23 | Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
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.
The 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.
The TOT combined theoretical and practical training.
During 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.
The 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.
Overall, 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.
The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Africa Forum on Low-Carbon Materials and Value Addition to Development Minerals
2024-09-24 - 2024-09-25 | Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
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).
The 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.
The 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.
Such 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.
The 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.
Bringing 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.
The forum further explored opportunities for cross-country partnerships through skills development and training programs and provided an opportunity for networking and mentorship linkages.

West African Mining Week (SAMAO 2024)
2024-09-26 - 2024-09-28 | Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
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.
During 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.
In 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.
From 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.

13th Annual Mineral Wealth Conference
2024-10-01 - 2024-10-02 | Kampala, Uganda, Uganda
The ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme supported the 13th Annual Mineral Wealth Conference (1-2 October 2024, Kampala), themed “Leveraging Critical Minerals for Sustainable Development and Economic Transformation.” Organized by the Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, the event drew over 700 delegates.
The Programme supported visibility of artisanal and small-scale miners as valuable actors in the mining sector. It showcased initiatives empowering women in mining, promoting inclusion of marginalized groups, more sustainable practices minimizing the environmental impact, and value addition to Development Minerals. The Programme supported the launch of the Junior Chamber of Mines to foster youth innovation in mining.
Exhibitions supported by the Programme highlighted advancements in value addition, digitization, and research, demonstrating its extensive support for Uganda’s Development Minerals sector.

Awareness-Raising Workshop on Formalization of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM)
2024-10-02 - 2024-10-03 | Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
The Programme raised awareness and trained artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) cooperatives on the formalization process in the Republic of Congo. These activities aimed to support the structuring of artisanal mining operations and promote practices that are more legal, safer, and environmentally sustainable.
The awareness-raising workshop provided information on the benefits of formalization and explained the administrative and legal procedures required for cooperatives to formalize their activities. It also introduced participants to responsible mining practices and discussed opportunities to improve access to finance and markets for artisanal miners.
Participants take part in an awareness session on the formalization of artisanal and small-scale mining enterprises
The workshop combined coaching sessions, hands-on training, and practical exercises to strengthen participants’ understanding of these topics. In total, twenty-five artisanal and small-scale mining cooperatives participated in the training and benefited from the learning sessions.
As a result, participants improved their understanding of the formalization process and workplace safety. This contributes to the promotion of responsible mining practices and supports improved legal compliance among ASM operators in the Development Minerals sector.

Dialogue on De-risking Financing for ASMEs in Development Minerals
2024-10-25 | Kampala, Uganda, Uganda
Artisanal miners encounter challenges in securing funding: as they operate informally and are involved in a sector often perceived as high-risk. However, access to finance is crucial for artisanal miners to transition from subsistence-level operations to more responsible and productive mining practices and engage in value-adding activities. In October 2024, the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme hosted a dialogue on de-risking financing for Development Minerals value chains in Uganda. With over 40 participants from the public and private sectors, the event secured government commitments to create financial products suitable for artisanal miners and support cooperative registration to enhance access to finance, and guidance from banks for ASMEs to adopt ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance Standards) compliance for funding eligibility. Key stakeholders included UNDP, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, and the Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum.

Training in Eco-Friendly Construction, Belabo, Cameroon
2024-11-11 - 2024-11-24 | Communes Belabo & Bertoua, East region, Cameroon, Cameroon
In November 2024, a week-long training workshop in communes of Belabo and Bertoua, in the East region of Cameroon, equipped young entrepreneurs with skills in smart, eco-friendly building construction with compressed earth bricks (CEB) and equipped solar power. Organized by the Programme, the training covered CEB production, construction techniques, and solar power technology. The workshop established a business incubator at the Government Technical High School Belabo and the foundation for a demonstration low-carbon building. This initiative aimed to address housing and electricity shortages in disaster-stricken regions of Cameroon and promote ecologically intelligent building solutions in the Belabo area.

Fifth Tanzania Mining Investment Conference
2024-11-19 - 2024-11-21 | Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
The Programme contributed to and participated in the 5th Tanzania Mining Investment Conference held in November 2024, organized by the Tanzanian Ministry of Minerals. The conference aimed to address challenges in the mining sector, particularly those related to increasing the value of minerals and attracting global investors to Tanzania.
Organized by the Ministry of Minerals, the event aimed to share firsthand experiences from various stakeholders and explore the interconnections among different players in the mining and mineral value chain. It highlighted the government’s commitment to robust practices, legal frameworks, certification mechanisms, and collaborative relationships among governments, chain of custody service providers, and companies engaged in mining, mineral processing, and export. The conference served as a platform for current and prospective investors in the mining sector, including ASM, government representatives, banks, NGOs, CSOs, and development partners, to gain comprehensive insights into Tanzania’s mining policies, investment incentives, and the government’s dedication to creating a supportive environment for sustainable mining.
The conference prominently addressed issues of artisanal and small-scale mining. It provided a key platform for publicising the findings of the Development Minerals baseline study, to spotlight the attention of decision makers on the sector, and sharing knowledge that inform policies, strategies, and programs aimed at promoting sustainability in the sector.
In particular, two key findings from the baseline study of Development Minerals in Tanzania garnered interest from both policy and regulatory perspectives, as well as from the perspective of the ASM. One finding highlighted the issue of double taxation of artisanal and small-scale miners in certain regions, where authorities in mining areas and processing areas imposed the same tax/levy. This was particularly prevalent with taxes and levies collected by local government authorities. Another finding addressed the limited capacity of the Regional Mining Offices (RMOs) in terms of staffing and equipment to effectively manage ASM operations. This limitation hampers their ability to implement programs such as extension services, health and safety inspections, environmental monitoring, and more. Addressing these issues would further advance the administration and management of the artisanal and small-scale mining sector, in particular of Development Minerals, where formalization is still lagging behind, and environmentally harmful practices remain widespread.

Uganda – Tanzania Knowledge Sharing Mission
2024-12-01 - 2024-12-07 | Dar es Salaam and Dodoma, Tanzania
A high-level delegation from Uganda explored best practices from Tanzania’s success in mining sector management. By learning from Tanzania’s experiences, Uganda aims to strengthen its own mining sector and unlock its natural resource potential.
The mission showcased Tanzania’s significant progress in the mineral sector, with key speakers sharing Tanzania’s experiences in exploration, value addition, and private sector engagement. Experts shared detailed advancements in geological research, and outlined initiatives supporting small-scale miners, value addition, and sustainable energy. They also emphasized the crucial role of transparency and data-driven governance in the extractive industries, underscoring Tanzania’s commitment to responsible resource management.
The Uganda delegation learnt about best practices in Tanzania on:

Technological advancements: Digitalization of mining regulations and estimation of mineral resources which involves leveraging digital tools to regulate mining activities and track them in real time.
Empowering small-scale miners who contribute 40% of Tanzania’s mining output
Governance and transparency: Insights into Tanzania Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (TEITI) data-driven governance
Geological information: Geological Survey of Tanzania’s systematic mineral sample analysis hailed as a benchmark for Uganda’s Geological Survey.

This collaboration and knowledge sharing between Tanzania and Uganda reinforces the potential of regional partnerships to unlock Africa’s natural resources for shared prosperity.

Training in Production of Stabilized Earth Bricks in Dschang, Cameroon
2024-12-02 - 2024-12-07 | Dschang, Commune of Menoua, West region, Cameroon
In December 2024, the city of Dschang hosted a training workshop for internally displaced persons from the Northwest region, which is in the grip of the security crisis, and host populations. The workshop participants learned how to produce eco-materials—compressed stabilized earth bricks.
Organized by the Programme in partnership with the University of Dschang and the Institute of Fine Arts in Foumban, the workshop trained 50 young men and women in using Development Minerals in sustainable building practices. The training included theoretical sessions at the University of Dschang and practical activities at a pilot site, covering topics such as environmental safety in mining, compressed earth bricks production, eco-material techniques, and entrepreneurship. A qualified team of experts, led by Dr. Moussa Charlot, provided instruction, contributing to the implementation of a continuing education programme in Development Minerals in Cameroon.

Tools and Equipment for Better Safety and Productivity of Women Artisanal Miners
2025-01-20
Small grants were provided to targeted groups such as women stone crushers, artisanal miners working in the Kombé quarries, and potters living with disabilities. More than 1,800 pieces of tools and equipment were distributed, including wheelbarrows, rakes, gloves, sledgehammers, pickaxes, and tricycles for transportation. These small grants complemented the technical and entrepreneurial skills trainings provided by the Programme.
Handover of tools and equipment to artisanal and small-scale miners by the EU Ambassador to the Republic of Congo
These essential tools and equipment enabled artisanal mining groups to improve their productivity, safety, and working conditions at mining sites and workshops. Access to appropriate equipment helped make their work more efficient and reduced some of the physical challenges associated with artisanal mining activities.
Beyond the equipment support, the initiative also promoted the organization of women into cooperatives. This helped strengthen their management capacities, improve their independence, and reinforce their economic position within the sector, contributing to the reduction of gender inequalities in mining.
Using a participatory field-based approach, the Programme first identified the real needs of the groups directly on site and then distributed appropriate tools and equipment. This approach ensured that the support provided was practical, relevant, and aligned with the long-term sustainability of artisanal mining activities.

Unlocking Zambia’s Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Potential at CAMINEX 2025
2025-05-27 - 2025-05-29 | Copperbelt, Kitwe, Zambia
The ACP–EU Development Minerals Programme participated in CAMINEX (Copperbelt Agriculture, Mining, Industrial and Networking Enterprise) 2025, held from 27–29 May in Kitwe.
On 27 May, the Programme organized a high-level panel titled “Unlocking Zambia’s ASM Potential: Partnerships, Policy and Pathways to Inclusive and Sustainable Development” moderated by the Project Coordinator in Zambia, Simukali Mulongwe – the panel featured Tobias Musonda (Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development), Laurent Rudasingwa (UNDP), Lyapa Manza (GoviEx Uranium Zambia), and Namakau Kaingu (Association of Zambian Women in Mining).
Panellists take part in a discussion on strengthening artisanal and small-scale mining during the Copperbelt Agriculture, Mining, Industrial and Networking Enterprise (CAMINEX) 2025 exhibition in Kitwe, Zambia. The session, organized by the ACP–EU Development Minerals Programme, featured Simukali Mulongwe, Tobias Musonda, Laurent Rudasingwa, Lyapa Manza, and Namakau Kaingu, and focused on policy reform, formalisation, and partnerships. Photo credit: UNDP Zambia
The conversation focused on the government’s new Geological and Minerals Development Act of 2025, including the creation of an ASM Fund, expanded licensing, and stronger support for artisanal and small-scale businesses.
Panellists discussed how formalisation, better training, stronger environmental standards, and closer partnerships with industry can help miners operate more safely and profitably. The panel discussion helped strengthen partnerships, increased programme visibility, facilitated engagements with industry and local government, and showcased women-led ASM enterprises.
