Govt requests Japan to extend minerals surveying project
Isaac Pinielo | Tuesday November 3, 2015 15:04
Remote sensing is a minerals prospecting technique using aircrafts or satellites.
Deputy permanent secretary in MMEWR, Obolokile Obakeng made the appeal on Friday at a seminar on sustainable development of mineral resources in Botswana’s mining sector.
The seminar was co-hosted by MMEWR and the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), through the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC).
“I believe that this collaboration or remote sensing project will remain relevant and mutually beneficial to both partners for years to come. And therefore I hope that JOGMEC will consider yet another extension which will go beyond March 2016,” said Obakeng.
The remote sensing project started in July 2008 after the signing of a memorandum of agreement between Botswana Geological Survey and JOGMEC, as well as the establishment of the JOGMEC Geological Remote Sensing Centre in the Department of Geological Survey (DGS) premises in Lobatse and another one in Gaborone for use by SADC member states.
Obakeng indicated that the remote sensing centre was meant to serve two purposes, which include the training of geological surveys personnel in the SADC region in remote sensing technology for mineral exploration, as well as strengthening of partnerships between Southern Africa and Japan.
“The agreement was premised on first of all setting up of the remote sensing centre, complete with all the necessary facilities and secondly carrying out of joint projects to ensure good balance between theory and practical application of remote sensing,” he said. According to Obakeng, the cooperation between two ministries of Japan and Botswana, which is primarily based on technical skills transfer in the field of remote sensing, has seen some major milestones to date.
These milestones, he said, include the training of geoscientists from geological and or mining organisations in SADC member states, carrying out of joint projects by JOGMEC experts and individual SADC member states as a way of transferring technical skills to geoscientists.
The other achievement is the holding of annual seminars as a way of sharing experiences in participating member states and fostering continuous application and development of remote sensing skills by participants from the member states. He added the benefits of member states from this partnership are that participating SADC countries now have people who are skilled in processing and interpreting satellite imagery.
He said participating countries have access to ASTER satellite imagery of their respective countries. “Geoscientists from participating member states have the opportunity of tapping from the invaluable skills of JOGMEC professionals during joint projects,” said Obakeng.
The deputy permanent secretary further stated that the MMWR has benefited in a number of ways in this partnership, for instance JOGMEC has so far trained 14 geoscientists in remote sensing. He said owing to the enormous benefits accrued from the partnership, there is need to maintain the collaborative relationship with JOGMEC and continue to benefit from advisory services provided by JOGMEC experts.
“The Department of Geological Survey of Botswana which is undergoing restructuring to focus its activities on research will highly benefit from continued JOGMEC experts support especially during the infancy stage of the institution,” said Dr Obakeng. He implored DGS geoscientists to use the technology to revise and update old published geology maps using remote sensing technology to produce more detailed and accurate maps.