MMC To Train Women In Solid Minerals Value Chain

Edited By Georgina Humphrey

The Minerals and Miners Centre, MMC, says plans are on top gear to train women in the solid minerals value chain to boost the sector.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Country Director of MMC, Dr. Comfort Asokoro- Ogaji, in Abuja.

The statement urges women groups, NGOs and individuals to take advantage of the capacity building programme to contribute their quota to the development of the nation.

“Expertise gaps have been identified as the significant stumbling block to progress in the sector. These gaps have become a major disadvantage for both men and women operating or intending to operate in the sector”.

According to the statement, there are know-how deficits in both technical and non technical angles to the solid minerals business.

“Capacity is needed in management administration, ICT, Statistics, Data and trade standards amongst others” Dr. Asokoro- Ogaji emphasizes.

“Major technical capabilities can be improved upon for efficient and effective exploration, beneficiation, and other expert components that should make mining economically viable for all stakeholders including governments, the private sector and host communities”

“Without capacity we are handicapped. There can be no progress. It’s like blindness. The difference between success and failure is in knowledge and applicability of same.” she notes.

This is our way of contributing to the sector regarding training and building capacity of women and youths to learn about mineral processing, gemstones tumbling, cutting, polishing and faceting, mineral processing, amongst other skills they will learn”.

The statement therefore calls on Women in the field of chemical and mining engineering, Civil and mechanical engineering as well as Non mining experts to avail themselves for the training.

“We have identified a few institutions to work with in Nigeria to harness potential that already exist and stirring awareness and interest in the solid minerals for our people to key in and boost their income and purchasing power as women and men alike” Asokoro- Ogaji states.

This agenda of the of MMC, is to strengthen production, trade, technical knowledge and social linkages in the solid minerals sector in Nigeria. This will lead to greater wealth creation and ownership by Nigerians.