British Government’s Department for International Development (DFID)

The “Support to the Ministry of Mines for Business Plan Development” project is supported by the British Government’s Department for International Development (DFID). The project started in April 2010 for an initial period of 1 year. The overarching objective of the project is to assist the Ministry of Mines (MOM) in transitioning from an owner operator of mines to a policy maker and regulator able to attract private sector investment in the extractive industries sector. The project is implemented by Adam Smith International (ASI).

A business plan was developed in the first half of 2010 detailing a comprehensive reform programme, which encompasses policy, regulatory, institutional and organisational dimensions. It outlines a vision and a mission for the Ministry of Mines and sets out strategic objectives for the ministry over the next 5 years to achieve these. Following approval of the business plan in July 2010, an organisational restructuring programme has been implemented to provide MOM with the institutional framework to execute its role. The organogram has been comprehensively revised and terms of reference for individual position in the ministry developed. Together with Pay and Grading team of the Independent Administrative Reform and Civil Service Commission (IARCSC), MOM is currently in the process of recruiting qualified individuals to its staff. Other areas where the project is providing support are: (i) restructuring of state owned enterprises; (ii) policy development support; (iii) institutional capacity to forecast and manage extractive industries revenues; and (iv) institutional mechanisms to promote anti-corruption.

The project will be supporting a study tour to Australia in March 2011 for a delegation of senior MOM staff to learn international best practices in mining regulation, development and management.