Satellite image analysis for Japan-DRC cooperation
As part of a renewed partnership between Japan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a memorandum of understanding on mineral resources has been extended, allowing the availability of a sum of 1.5 billion dollars Americans for a cooperation project in the field of satellite image analysis.
This initiative bears witness to Japan’s desire to support the efforts of the DRC in the exploration of its mineral deposits as well as in the quantification of the market value of its subsoil. The Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Nishimura Yasutoshi, underlined the good relations existing between the two countries and said he was ready to support the DRC in this process.
The extension of the Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the DRC Ministry of Mines and the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. This agreement marks a significant step forward in the mining sector for Japan, while on the Congolese side, the Deputy Minister of Mines, Godard Motemona, stressed that this signing is the result of a visit to Tokyo in December 2022 by the Minister of Mines, Antoinette N’samba Kalambayi. He also specified that a hundred Congolese geologists will be trained by Japan within the framework of this cooperation project.
Since December 2012, the two countries have maintained a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the mineral resources sector, which was renewed for a second time in 2018. The extension of this agreement for the next five years aims to obtain cooperation in the field the analysis of satellite images, in particular using remote sensing.
This cooperation between Japan and the DRC in the mineral resources sector is of major importance for the economic development and the sustainable exploitation of the natural resources of the DRC. Thanks to the analysis of satellite images, it will be possible to better map mineral deposits and optimize their exploitation. This will also improve the transparency and traceability of mining activities, thus helping to combat illegal exploitation and promote a responsible mining sector.
In conclusion, the extension of the Memorandum of Understanding between Japan and the DRC for cooperation in the field of satellite image analysis opens up new prospects for the mineral resources sector in the DRC. This collaboration will make it possible to develop the Congolese subsoil in a responsible and sustainable way, while strengthening the links between the two countries