Report of Geohazards training session WP5-3: Ndola, Zambia, 4-12 Nov 2018

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Geohazards

Session WP5-3: Ndola, Zambia

4 to 12 November 2018

Brief description of the course content and visited places

30 professionals from 9 African countries (Sudan, Kenya, South Africa, Benin, Lesotho, Cameroon, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and Zambia) took part in this training. It was jointly organised by Coordinator and co-coordinator of the WP5 with assistance Dr Desiderius Chapewa, Geological Survey Department – Zambia and Mrs Gertrude Mundia, local consultant.

More than 80 applications have been received from Geological Survey Organisations throughout Africa. This training was organised as classroom type sessions including practical desk top exercises and field trainings. Lectures on various geohazards were given by highly qualified specialists from Geological Surveys of Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia, Italy and South Africa. Very successful was session on introduction of trainees – experiences, problems and expectations dealing with geohazards in their countries. It is noteworthy that opening address was given by Mr Paul Chanda, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Mines, Zambia, who emphasized the value of the course for strenghtening of geohazards studies in Zambia.

During the course, lectures and presentations of case studies were given covering the following geohazards: landslides, geopollution, erosion/desertification, land subsidence, hydrogeohazards (including flooding), seismic and volcanic hazards (the programme attached). All trainees were supplied with printed lecture copies and USB units including all lecture presentations and other useful material and software.

Field training encompassed studies of slope stability and geotechnical properties of rocks, sampling of contaminated soils and water from Kafue river, preparation of samples of soil for sending to laboratory, observations of contaminated groundwater by copper sulphides in the site for development in Kitwe, land subsidence processes due to underground mining (Mopani mine) and karst (Chilengwa Na Lesa lake), contamination of environment by dust from quarries (Ndola limestone) and tailing dams (Bwana Mkubwa open mine, Black mountain in Kitwe and Mopani mine), geohazards related with artisanal mining of copper and other aspects.

The attendance of the course was 100 percent and certificates of attendance were presented to all trainees.

A feedback from all participants was received in the form of filled questionnaires. All responses were positive, except one and a number of suggestions and constructive remarks were provided (more field visits, longer course etc.). Site visits became possible thanks to Mr Paul Chanda, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Mines, Zambia and Chief Chiwala.

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