LUSAKA, Jan. 13 -- A senior Zambian government official said plans were currently underway to standardize mining policies in Africa to enable countries fully benefit from their mineral resources, the Zambia Daily Mail reported on Monday.

Christopher Yaluma, Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development said African countries are expected to form an alliance that will standardize the mining system to do deter some companies from exploiting mineral-rich nations.

"Zambia, like many other countries, has not maximized benefits from the mineral resource. We have come together to look into ways of ensuring that the same mining standards are applied everywhere so that, if say, Zambia turns down a mining prospector, (the investor), will not go to Zimbabwe or Angola because the standards will be the same," he was quoted as saying by the paper.

The development, he said, will enable citizens benefit from mineral wealth because mining companies will abide by the set standards but assured that governments remain committed to putting in place measures that will ensure a win-win situation for mining firms and citizens.

"Local content should be at play where investors use locally manufactured equipment and engage locals as suppliers of goods and services," he added.

The Zambian minister further said his government's recent decision to revise its mining policy will go a long way in increasing participation of locals in the mining industry.

The mineral resources development policy will re-orient the sector to create a competitive, thriving and sustainable industry that will benefit both the investors and people of Zambia, he added.