SEAMIC Newsletter Vol. 10

News
KENYA - THE NEW SEAMIC MEMBER STATE
Kenya had been actively utilising SEAMIC services prior being a member of
the institution. Due to the proximity of geological laboratory and
geoinformation processing facilities available at SEAMIC, exploration
companies operating in Kenya were utilising the services of the Centre.
SEAMIC gemmology courses were also the other areas where Kenyan
participation was highly visible in the past years.
The formal participation of the Mines and Geological Department of Kenya
in SEAMIC activities commenced with the implementation of the GIS Africa
project at the Centre in which Kenyan and other SEAMIC member states
professionals were involved in the establishment of the network and
development of harmonised regional geological information for the Eastern
Africa sub-region.
After Kenya became a member of SEAMIC in 2006, the participation and
utilisation of the Centre’s services has significantly increased with the Mines
and Geology Department of Kenya being the major user of the performance
contract arrangement, which allows the member states to receive services
worth a value of 40% of their annual contribution. Between July and December
2007 three employees of the Mines and Geology Department of Kenya were
trained at SEAMIC in the training courses of Principles and Applications of
Remote Sensing, Analysis of Gold & Precious metals, and in Basic Pottery and
Ceramic Technology.
SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT
The 27 th Governing Council meeting which was held in Maputo,
Mozambique in May 2007 approved the implementation of the shareholders
agreement so as to allow the participation of the private sector in the activities
of the Centre. This move is intended to expand the resource base of the
Centre and enable it to operate in a more business like manner. The resources
to be generated through this mechanism will help the Centre to provide its
services to the member countries more independently, diversified and ensure
sustainability of SEAMIC.
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