Professor Francis Gudyanga has a BSc (Hons) degree in Applied Chemistry from the University of Hertfordshire (UK), MSc in Analytical Chemistry from Chelsea College, University of London, MPhil in Metallurgy from Brunel University, Uxbridge (UK), a PhD in Mineral Technology from the Royal School of Mines, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of London, and a DIC in Electrochemical Engineering from Imperial College London. He is a metallurgist and applied chemist with over 30 years’ experience in the minerals industry covering plant operations, management, R&D at institutions in UK, South Africa and Zimbabwe, teaching university undergraduates and supervision of doctoral research students. His research interests are in extractive metallurgy, materials technology, and S&T policy. He has been serving on several national, regional and international Committees and Boards. He held senior positions in the Government of Zimbabwe for 10 years serving as Permanent Secretary in 3 ministries, namely: Science and Technology Development, Mines and Mining Development, and Higher and Tertiary Education Science & Technology Development. Professor Gudyanga is currently the President of the Zimbabwe Academy of Sciences.
The book by Francis Gudyanga is a very comprehensive encyclopedia on minerals, with special stress on the vast mineral wealth of Africa. It covers all aspects of the subject, such as listing of the minerals, their composition, properties, mining and processing, application in industry and economics. Readers will realize after reading the book, that the present state of the mineral industry in Africa is far from perfect, if we consider its effect on the life of the natural owners of the mineral wealth - the people of Africa. Professor Gudyanga also explains the fact that not only Africans, but the whole world will benefit from the gradual change in the treatment of the mineral wealth. Employment opportunities in Africa will be much higher, which will remove social tensions, leading to many negative consequences, such as the smuggling of people, mainly unemployed youth to Europe. In addition, investors in industry in Africa will also benefit, costs of transport of products will be much lower the those for exporting raw materials and the costs of final products may also become lower, thus benefiting the final customers. Erik Navara, Professor emeritus, University of Zimbabwe The book by Francis Gudyanga is a very comprehensive encyclopedia on minerals, with special stress on the vast mineral wealth of Africa. It covers all aspects of the subject, such as listing of the minerals, their composition, properties, mining and processing, application in industry and economics. Readers will realize after reading the book, that the present state of the mineral industry in Africa is far from perfect, if we consider its effect on the life of the natural owners of the mineral wealth - the people of Africa. Professor Gudyanga also explains the fact that not only Africans, but the whole world will benefit from the gradual change in the treatment of the mineral wealth. Employment opportunities in Africa will be much higher, which will remove social tensions, leading to many negative consequences, such as the smuggling of people, mainly unemployed youth to Europe. In addition, investors in industry in Africa will also benefit, costs of transport of products will be much lower the those for exporting raw materials and the costs of final products may also become lower, thus benefiting the final customers. Erik Navara, Professor emeritus, University of Zimbabwe