Abuja Hosts Nigeria Mining Week October

By Dipo Olowookere

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Kayode Fayemi, will deliver the welcome address at the much anticipated launch of the Nigeria Mining Week taking place in Abuja from October 25-28, 2016 at Sheraton Hotel.

The event is coming following the enthusiastic response from the mining community and the Nigerian government to the inaugural iPAD Nigeria Mining Forum in partnership with PwC Nigeria last year.

The organisers have joined forces with the Miners Association of Nigeria to create an all-encompassing meeting place for the sector.

“Diversifying the Nigerian economy is currently in the spotlight,” says Cyril Azobu, PwC Nigeria’s Mining Sector Leader and Head Consulting, “and the new Government has highlighted the potential of the solid minerals sector in achieving this.”

Mr Azobu adds: “The Nigeria Mining Week will be hosted by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and provide the opportunity for the government to unveil the next phase for the growth of the mining industry leading to the industrialisation of Nigeria. It will also open the door to an exclusive investment and networking opportunity for mining stakeholders towards propelling the mineral sector reform, and deliver key information for the creation of new business ventures and partnerships.”

The Nigeria Mining Week will comprise a grand opening, the iPAD Nigeria Mining and Quarrying Forum in partnership with PwC conference and exhibition, as well as a workshop for artisanal and small scale miners and a grand closing.

The event will welcome the entire mining ecosystem comprising of artisanal and small scale miners, junior mining operators, exploration companies, local and international investors, financial institutions, traders, solution providers as well as government bodies, to meet and discuss the current state of the market.

Nigeria’s economy was valued at $510billion in 2014 (The Economist), and is considered the largest economy in Africa and one of the fastest growing economies in the world with a long-term average growth of 7.7%. Nigeria’s vastly underexploited natural resources include about 44 varieties of minerals in over 500 locations.

In March 2016, the Roadmap for the Development of the Solid Minerals Sector was launched and following the inaugural iPAD Nigeria Mining Forum in partnership with PwC in 2015, recommendations were given to Government and the private sector.

Programme highlights will include:

* Keynote and opening session – Ministerial address and leaders panel

Theme: “Towards a new paradigm in natural resource management”

Chairperson: Uyi Akpata, Country Senior Partner and Regional Senior Partner West Africa, PwC Nigeria, Nigeria

Confirmed keynote speakers:

Mr Kayode Fayemi, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Nigeria

The King of the Royal Bafokeng Nation, Kgosi Leruo Molotlegi, South Africa

Dr Toni Aubynn, Chief Executive Officer, Minerals Commission, Ghana

Dr Frank Udemba Jacobs, President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigeria

Other programme highlights during the iPAD Nigeria Mining & Quarrying Forum include:

* Key Nigerian mining projects showcase

This session aims to provide stakeholders with an update on viable projects that Nigeria can in order to attract investment.

Chairperson: Nere Teriba, Managing Director, Kian Smith Trade, Nigeria

Why Nigeria, why now? A brief overview of the mining sector’s potential

Prof. Ibrahim Garba, Vice Chancellor of Amadou Bello University, Nigeria

Investor showcase – snapshot of some key Nigerian projects:

– Symbol Base Metal: Carmie Olowoyo, General Manager – Corporate, Australia

– Promethean Resources: Demola Gbadegesin, Managing Director, Nigeria

– Kogi Iron: Kevin Joseph, Chief Executive Officer, KCM Mining, Nigeria

– ETA Zuma: Dr. Innocent Ezuma, Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria

* Licence to mine – interactive panel to understand Nigeria’s geology and how to access permits

Chair: Prof. Gbenga Okunlola, President of the Nigerian Mining & Geosciences Association, Nigeria

The panellists are:

– Alhaji Mohamed Amate, Director General, Mining Cadastral Office, Nigeria

– Alex Nwegbu, Director General, Geological Survey Agency, Nigeria

– Nere Teriba, Managing Director, Kian Smith Trade, Nigeria

– Prof. Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan, Department of Public Law of the Faculty of Law, Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria

– Olubukola Ashaolu Shopeju, Director, Bukabella Global Services, Nigeria

The country’s mining industry is showing its buy-in again with Akabogu & Associates, Nigachem Nigeria Ltd, Advocaat, Kian Smith Trade & Co, Palladium Mining Ltd and SBOG already confirmed as sponsors.

The Nigeria Mining Week is organised by Spintelligent in partnership with PwC and the Miners Association of Nigeria. Spintelligent is a well-known trade conference and expo organiser on the continent.

The company has particular expertise and experience in mining and infrastructure development events; including the long running flagship shows such as the iPAD series, the DRC Mining Week, CBM-TEC in Zambia, the Kenya Mining Forum in Nairobi and African Utility Week in Cape Town.