New Delhi, -- India is sending a mission to study new technologies and possible joint ventures in the mining and quarrying sector in Ghana and South Africa.

The move follows low production growth rates in the Indian mining and quarrying sector in the past four years.

Led by Mines secretary A.K. Kundra, the mission has been jointly organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in association with the coal and mines ministry.

The 15-member team will include Geological Survey of India director general P.C. Mandal, Richard Mozley India Ltd president A. Bandopadhyay, Tega India Ltd chairman Madan Mohanka and Hosch Equiment India Pvt deputy general manager T.K. Bhattacharjee.

The mission, from June 26 to July 5, has been organised with the twin objective of promoting business opportunities in the Indian mining sector as well as the capabilities of equipment manufacturers in the sector, the CII said.

Through technology transfer and possible joint ventures, Indian industry is hopeful of reversing the low production growth rates witnessed in the past four years in the mining and quarrying sector.

The delegation would use the opportunity to study adoption policy initiatives in the two countries, and also opportunities for joint venture, technical cooperation for supplying equipment and services.

The visit to Ghana from July 1-5 will coincide with the West African Mining Exhibition and Conference in Accra, and provide the delegation opportunity to interact with the exhibiting companies, the CII said.

Besides meeting with trade chambers, the mission would be visiting Impala Mines and Rand Gold Refinery of South Africa and the Ashanti Gold Mine in Ghana.