By Charles Lotara, SSMJ Juba, Tuesday (September 24, 2024) – A senior government official has urged junior geologists to prioritize professional growth above salary in their entry-level positions. Dr. Andu Ezbon, technical advisor at the Ministry of Mining, spoke exclusively to the South Sudan Mining Journal about employment prospects in the country's mining and geology fields. Ezbon, who worked in mining and petroleum for over two decades, noted that the scale and timeliness of salaries w
By Charles Lotara, SSMJ
Juba, Tuesday (September 24, 2024) – A senior government official has urged junior geologists to prioritize professional growth above salary in their entry-level positions.
Dr. Andu Ezbon, technical advisor at the Ministry of Mining, spoke exclusively to the South Sudan Mining Journal about employment prospects in the country's mining and geology fields.
Ezbon, who worked in mining and petroleum for over two decades, noted that the scale and timeliness of salaries was one of the major challenges driving turnover among young professionals in the sector.
“When I started as the undersecretary, I looked into the staff and saw some vacancies... We advertised, and young people came,” Ezbon recounted, arguing that many left due to the harsh economic conditions.
“But those who are motivated, despite the fact that salaries are delayed, stayed. It’s about your passion for the profession and love for the country that keeps you in this field.”
The advisor emphasized the importance of passion and commitment in the mining industry, stating that:
“Any work, you should love it naturally, without thinking of the salary,” he said, acknowledging that while financial incentives are important, it is the dedication to the country's development that sustains many in the sector.
The Ministry of Mining, he said, continues to offer employment opportunities to the country's youth, as part of the government's commitment to develop young talent in the sector.
“This work gives employment to the young people, and in this field, every hour counts when you are working,” he said.
The technical advisor also expressed optimism for the future of the country’s mining sector despite the setbacks caused by years of conflict.
The veteran geologist shared insights on the evolving sector, the role of education in grooming future leaders, and the nation’s untapped mineral wealth, which he believes could be key to attracting foreign investment.
Reflecting on his tenure as a lecturer at the University of Juba, Ezbon took pride in the fact that three of the Ministry's five Director Generals, including those responsible for Mineral Development, Technical Services, and Geological Survey, were once his students.
“I’m happy that I worked with them,” he said.
Ezbon's mentorship is evident not only in the professional development of these leaders but also in his efforts to expose them to international conferences, where they meet global experts in the mining field.
“This is how I’ve been developing these young people, so that eventually when I’m out, they’ll take over,” Ezbon added.
South Sudan, rich in gold reserves, particularly in Greater Kapoeta of Eastern Equatoria, Raja County in Western Bahr el Ghazal, and along the borders with Zaire and Ethiopia, presents significant opportunities for mining companies, with Ezbon noting the presence of both primary and secondary gold in the country.
Primary gold, found in hard rock formations, requires more advanced exploration, while secondary gold, often located in riverbeds and soil, is easier to extract. “Some companies will encourage them not to spend all the time in exploration for primary gold because secondary gold is easier to mine,” he explained.
Despite the promise of South Sudan’s mineral wealth, the nation’s long-standing conflict has hindered the sector’s progress.
In 2013, New Kush, a South African mining company, predicted South Sudanese gold would reach the global market by 2018. However, the outbreak of civil war delayed these ambitions.
Yet, Ezbon remains hopeful, stating that “the chances are still there,” and he believes that within three to five years, South Sudan could regain stability and attract foreign companies back to its mines.
As the country slowly recovers from years of conflict, the advisor is optimistic that South Sudan’s mineral wealth will eventually contribute to national economic stability and global recognition amid the scramble for critical minerals required in the green energy transition.
With sustained political stability, Ezbon notes, South Sudan’s gold and other mineral resources could play a key role in the global market and boost the country’s economy. But young people, he insists, must commit to moving in that trajectory.