Yemisi Izuora
Nigeria Mining Week, the flagship mining conference and expo in West Africa, will return to Abuja from 15-17 October following its tremendous success in October 2017. “Not only a landmark achievement, but an encouragement for the mining sector” is how Alh. Sani Shehu, the President of MAN (Miners Association of Nigeria), described the second edition of Nigeria Mining Week. He adds: “the participation of about 14 nations is an illustration of the desire of global players, service and technology providers to go beyond their shores and tap into the minerals-rich soil of Nigeria.”.
Mines and Steel Development Minister Dr Kayode Fayemi said during his opening keynote address that according to a recent World Risk Report, Nigeria had made remarkable improvements in both hard risk and perceived risk factors, stating: “the Nigerian mining jurisdiction is now considered to have a better investment risk profile than Russia, China, India and several other leading jurisdictions. Nigeria is now ‘perceived’ to have a better investment risk profile than New York!”
Senior communications manager: Annemarie Roodbol in a statement said, “The event will receive again the strategic support from the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN) and PwC. Cyril Azobu is Advisory Partner and Mining Leader at PwC Nigeria and states: “any individual or organisation interested in exploring the many opportunities Nigeria’s solid minerals sector presents should plan to be at Nigeria Mining Week 2018.
The Nigeria Mining Week offers a one-stop-shop to engage directly with policy makers, financiers and mining investors as well as the opportunity to gain the most current information on geophysical data on the resources available to explore in Nigeria. The third annual event will provide a platform to engage with over 700 small scale miners through MAN, 10 Nigerian states displaying and promoting opportunities in small and medium scale mining and over 100 mining and exploration companies.
New features at this year’s Nigeria Mining Week include:
• Three-day conference focusing on strategic minerals.
• Exclusive indoor and outdoor exhibition featuring over 40 Nigerian and international suppliers.
• Free-to-attend technical workshops targeted to small scale miners.
• Online matchmaking platform to allow sponsors, exhibitors, delegates and speakers to connect prior to the event and schedule in advance their business meetings.
• Matchmaking discussion roundtables on finance and investment.
• Dragons’ Den: Enabling project financing by pitching mining business plans to a panel of selected financiers.
Since inception the event has received solid and enthusiastic industry support and already market leaders such as 3M Geo Resources, SBOG, AG Vision, Minelab, Panafrican Equipment and Rubble Master are early confirmed sponsors for Nigeria Mining Week.
Nigeria Mining Week is organised by the Miners Association of Nigeria in partnership with Spintelligent and PwC Nigeria. Spintelligent is a well-known trade conference and expo organiser on the continent. The company has particular expertise and experience in mining, infrastructure development and energy events; including long-running flagship shows such as DRC Mining Week in Lubumbashi, Mining Baraza in Nairobi and African Utility Week in Cape Town.