Research – PanAfGeo

PanAfGeo+ Invest (Country Window DRC) Featured: Mining Waste Recycling Roundtable Held in Lubumbashi

Activities under the PanAfGeo+ Country Window DRC were recently highlighted through a roundtable on “Opportunities and Challenges of Mining Waste Recycling in the DRC”, held in Lubumbashi on 19 June 2026.

Organised by BRGM and the Geological Survey of Congo (SGN-C) in partnership with national stakeholders, the event brought together government representatives, industry leaders, researchers, international experts, and EU Member State representatives to discuss the potential of mining residues as a valuable source of critical and strategic minerals.

Discussions focused on the role of scientific knowledge, innovation, and geoscientific data in supporting the sustainable recovery of resources from historic mining waste, contributing to circular economy principles and strengthening resource governance in the DRC.

The roundtable forms part of the PanAfGeo+ Country Window DRC activities aimed at enhancing national geoscientific capacities, promoting sustainable mining practices, and supporting the country’s strategic role in the global supply of critical raw materials.

Additional media coverage: The event also received coverage from local radio media in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Listen to the radio report here.

PanAfGeo+ Invest (Country Window DRC) Featured: Geochemical Training Activities in Kolwezi and Lubumbashi

Activities under the PanAfGeo+ Invest – Country Window in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been highlighted in local media, showcasing a series of specialised trainings in mining geochemistry and geological prospecting in Kolwezi (Lualaba Province) and Lubumbashi.

Implemented by BRGM in collaboration with the Geological Survey of Congo (SGN-C) and in partnership with local universities, these trainings brought together students and professionals to strengthen skills in geochemical exploration, combining theoretical learning with practical field applications.

The Kolwezi session focused on building foundational and applied knowledge in mining geochemistry, while the training in Lubumbashi further expanded this effort through a strategic programme on geochemical prospecting, reinforcing collaboration between academic institutions and national geological services.

These initiatives are part of the Country Window DRC activities, aimed at strengthening local capacity in geosciences and supporting the sustainable development of the mining sector, in line with broader efforts to enhance national expertise and resource governance.

Read more here:

Kolwezi training: here.
Lubumbashi training: here.

Kolwezi : BRGM et SGN-C forment une nouvelle génération d’experts en géochimie minière

PanAfGeo+ Featured by UNESCO: Geoheritage Training Session in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley

PanAfGeo+ activities have been highlighted by UNESCO, showcasing a WP5 training session on geoheritage and geoconservation held in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley.

The training brought together geoscientists, local authorities, and communities to strengthen capacity in identifying, documenting, and conserving geological heritage, while linking geoscience with sustainable development and local engagement.

This feature underlines the importance of geoheritage within the PanAfGeo+ programme and its contribution to broader international efforts in conservation and sustainable resource management.

More information here.

Successful WP-G Session on 3D Multilayer Geological Modeling in Dakar, Senegal

The latest session of the PanAfGeo project, titled “Modélisation géologique 3D multicouche par approche géostatistique,” was successfully concluded in Dakar, Senegal. The ceremony marked the end of a comprehensive 10-day training program held from July 1 – 12th, 2024.

Hosted by the Service Géologique National du Sénégal (SGNS), the session attracted 16 dedicated trainees, including 12 men and 4 women, from nine French-speaking African countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Niger, and Senegal.

Opening Ceremony:

The opening ceremony was graced by prominent figures in the field:

Dr. Nicolas CLAUSOLLES, Specialist in 3D Geological Modeling from BRGM-Service Géologique National de la France.
Dr. Rokhaya SAMBA DIENE, Director General of SGNS-Service Géologique National du Sénégal.
Mr. Simon VANDEN BROEKE, Team Leader for Connectivity and Sustainable Investment from the Delegation of the European Union to Senegal.

Closing Ceremony:

The closing ceremony took place on Friday, July 12th, 2024, in Dakar, Senegal, and was attended by:

Dr. Rokhaya SAMBA DIENE, Director General of SGNS-Service Géologique National du Sénégal.

Mr. Moncef MEDDEB, Attaché for Scientific and University Cooperation at the French Embassy in Senegal.

Mr. Meissa DIAKHATE, Director of the Minister’s Office for Energy, Petroleum, and Mines.

The highlight of the closing ceremony was the presentation of the trainees’ “Return-to-Work Projects.” These projects encompassed a diverse range of objectives, from 3D modeling of phosphate-rich geological layers to the reprocessing and quality control of exploration data provided by mining companies. These projects are scheduled to be implemented over the next six months, with a follow-up webinar planned for mid-January 2025 to review the results, successes, and challenges encountered.

The pictures from the training session are available here.

For more details, check out:

News report (Dakaractu), click here
News report (Top News), click here
News article (Lequotidien), click here
News report (Lequotidien), click here
News report (Lequotidien), click here

Video coverages:

Video Coverage (APS – Agence de Presse Sénégalaise):

Video Coverage (RTS-Radio Télévision Sénégalaise): Closing Ceremony