African Mining Leaders Gather in London for Summit

Global mining leaders are gathering in London tomorrow (June 24) for the beginning of a three-day summit aimed at creating a greater understanding and improving the social and economic outcomes of African mining.

 Mining On Top – Africa 2014 has an impressive line-up of speakers including government ministers and CEO’s of some of the continent’s biggest mining companies.

The prestigious event allows governments to meet the investors, the mining community and civil society to plan how to create shared value from the continent’s mining sector.

Africa boasts all 10 of the world’s fastest growing economies and foreign direct investment has risen five-fold in the past decade.

Continued maximisation of extractive revenues is essential to support the growing expectations of the expanding middle classes and sustain the increased urbanisation of the population.

However, commodity prices have declined, from recent highs; exploration spending has slumped and mining companies of all sizes are focusing on reducing costs.

The summit will discuss how the resource rich continent should respond to these challenges and focus on the collaboration required to ensure its abundant mineral wealth is developed to the benefit of all.

The London Summit, which is being held at One Great George Street, London, brings all constituents to African mining together to promote understanding, and to grapple with the realities of how this can be achieved.

Among the speakers will be Angola’s Minister of Geology and Mines, Francisco Queiroz, who will focus on discussion of public management of the mining resources, public infrastructure to support the National Plan of geology and business opportunities.

Other leading speakers from major companies include: Frahad Abasov, President, CEO and Director of Allana Potash; Tom Albanese, CEO Vedanta Resources; Harry Anagnostaras-Adams, Non-Executive Chairman of Australia-based KEFI Minerals; Andrew Bone, Director of International Relations for De Beers; and Stuart Brown, CEO of Firestone Diamonds.

Government and academic officials include:  Dr Andu Ezbon Adde, Under Secretary Mining of South Sudan; Darky Africa, Commissioner of Development Planning, NW Province, Republic of South Africa;  Dr Ana Elizabeth Bastida, Mining Programme Director, Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law & Policy, University of Dundee; and Nicola Barnfather, Extractives Adviser (Environment) Department for International Development.