By: Energy capital & power

South Africa and Nigeria have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cooperation in the mining sector, with a focus on investment, knowledge sharing and technology transfer.

The agreement, which falls under the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission framework, was signed in Abuja by South Africa’s Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe, and Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake.

The MoU lays the foundation for increased investment and collaboration, particularly in areas such as the use of drone technology and spectral remote sensing for geological mapping and mineral exploration.

Additionally, the agreement includes the exchange of geoscientific data between Nigeria’s Geological Survey Agency and South Africa’s Council for Geoscience. It also outlines plans for training programs on mineral processing, local capacity building and the transfer of advanced technologies, including Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry for mineral analysis.

Beyond investment and technology, the MoU also includes joint exploration efforts focused on agro-minerals and energy minerals in Nigeria.