Somalia and China boost mineral mapping efforts
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Shabelle Media Network
Somalia’s Director General of the Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals, Maxamad Xaashi Carabeey, met officials from the China Geological Survey to strengthen mapping and identification of mineral resources. Chinese experts presented two artificial intelligence applications for mineral exploration, according to Shabelle Media.
Somalia and China want to strengthen their cooperation in geological prospecting, mapping and identification of the country’s mineral resources, using modern technologies. The Somali Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals says the exchanges focus on remote sensing and satellite imagery, in order to obtain comprehensive geological data.
The ministry’s Director General, Mohamed Hashi Carabeey, met Zheng Xiongwei, Director General of the Department of Science, Technology and International Cooperation at the China Geological Survey, at the agency’s headquarters. The meeting was organised by the Somali Embassy in China, in the presence of its ambassador, Hodan Osman Abdi. According to the ministry, Chinese experts presented two artificial intelligence tools for prospecting: they can analyse data to a depth of up to 500 metres and identify up to six critical minerals.
Both sides expressed their willingness to strengthen technical cooperation, exchange knowledge and experience, and launch joint programmes. The ministry hopes the agreement will soon move to the implementation phase, to speed up prospecting, obtain reliable data and attract sustainable investment. Somalia thus wants its natural resources to play a visible role in economic growth.
