North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi says the province is looking to strengthen partnerships with scientific and research institutions to drive economic development.
Mokgosi met with the Council for Geoscience to explore ways of using scientific research and geological data to support development in the province.
The discussions included mineral exploration, infrastructure planning, groundwater management and environmental sustainability.
The North West is one of South Africa’s major mining provinces, and Mokgosi says its mineral wealth needs to translate into more jobs, investment and opportunities for communities.
The province also wants to use geological information to identify new investment opportunities and diversify economies that are heavily reliant on mining.
Mokgosi said partnerships with scientific institutions can help government make development decisions based on research, innovation and reliable data.
Potential areas of collaboration include joint research, skills development, infrastructure projects and sustainable development planning.
Anelitha Fandese
www.ewn.co.za
