LILONGWE, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Member countries of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) on Tuesday launched the inaugural Mining Investment Forum in Malawi's capital, Lilongwe, during which they urged African countries to add value to their mineral resources before exporting them.

AMSG Secretary-General Moses Engadu made the call during the launch of the two-day forum, opened by Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera, highlighting the key challenge for Africa: the exportation of minerals in raw form instead of exporting processed minerals to maximize gains.

Malawi and other African countries should insist on adding value to minerals before export, Engadu said. "No mineral must leave our borders without adding value -- at least primary value addition must be done here."

The AMSG is an initiative of 16 African countries to facilitate international cooperation in the sustainable development of critical minerals.

South Sudanese Minister of Mining Martin Gama Abucha supported Engadu's stance in his keynote address, noting that Africa has been lagging in developing and marketing its minerals.

Chakwera urged banks and other financial institutions operating in the country to support the mining sector to establish local labs for testing samples and adding value to raw minerals before export. Enditem

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