New Frontiers: West & Central Africa's Mineral Rush

May 11, 2012 - PRLog -- Africa’s booming mining industry has witnessed a particular concentration on its occidental side, with 107 mines currently operating in West Africa. By comparison, Eastern Sub-Sahara Africa has 69 active mines, Southern Africa has 49 and Western Sub-Saharan Africa has 39.

Opportunities to be tapped in this high-growth mining district are evidenced by these regional facts: Burkina Faso has attracted 17 mining operators, extracting mostly gold resources; Ghana is the 2nd largest producer of gold in Sub-Saharan Africa, and is also the latest African commodity producer to revise taxes and royalties after commodity prices sky-rocketed; Niger's minerals portfolio comprises some of the world's most prized minerals (gold, uranium); Sierra Leone is still under-explored despite the "richness" in minerals, including gold, diamonds, quartz and uranium; Nigeria is back on the mining map with current exploration results indicating over a trillion tons of coal and rare earth metals such as lanthanum, cerium, neodymin and yttrium, as well as oil sands; Gabon manganese production is expected to reach 5.1 million tonnes in 2012, comparing to 2 million tonnes in 2009; and Liberia has itself seen significant iron ore deposit discovery.

The 2012 Conference will provide updates and exploration opportunities in Ghana, Ivory Coast, Togo, Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Guinea and more, while new country-specific focus will be Mali, Mauritania, Gabon, Congo and Cameroon. The two-day information packed event will also feature dedicated sessions focusing on specific commodities such as copper, gold, iron, nickel and platinum, as well as discussion on raising capital & partnerships for exploration and expansion.

More than 300 government & business executives from 30 countries are expected to convene in Accra to discuss opportunities & strategise collaboration & partnerships.

The 2012 Exhibition will be extended to provide space for 60 companies to showcase their project highlights, products innovation and service competencies. Exhibitors include global industrial equipment experts Atlas Copco, borehole logging specialists Robertson Geologging Ltd, and x-ray fluorescence instrumentation providers Innov-X Africa.

The Event is endorsed by the Ghana Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Ghana Minerals Commission, and the Ghana Chamber of Mines.

The CEO of the conference organizing company, Magenta Global Pte Ltd, Singapore, Ms Maggie Tan, said: “This Summit puts the spotlight on the tremendous potential of West & Central Africa mining economies .  Investments into this sector will play a huge role in generating revenue, employment and sustainable economic and social developments. The Summit will facilitate the exchange of fresh information, experience and knowledge towards achieving the objectives of delivering sustainable mining projects.  More importantly, the networking and partnership momentum will be an invaluable experience”  Ms Tan encouraged companies, organizations, businesses and governments that share Magenta’s vision for the future of sustainable mining to be part of this key event.

The event will be held at the Accra International Conference Centre.

About Magenta Global – Owner & Organizer
Magenta Global Pte Ltd is a premier independent business media company that provides pragmatic and relevant information to government & business executives and professionals worldwide. The organization provides the opportunity to share thought-provoking insights, exchange ideas on the latest industry trends and technological developments with thought leaders and business peers. With a strong focus in emerging economies especially in Africa, Middle East & Central Asia, Magenta Global works in partnership with both the public and private sectors. www.magenta-global.com.sg.

About Atlas Copco – Platinum Sponsor / Badge & Lanyard Sponsor
Atlas Copco is an industrial group with world-leading positions in compressors, construction and mining equipment, power tools and assembly systems. The Group delivers sustainable solutions for increased customer productivity through innovative products and services. Founded in 1873, the company is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden and has a global reach spanning more than 170 countries. The Group strives to be a good and reliable corporate citizen by acting responsibly towards its customers, the environment and society Atlas Copco Ghana Limited was established in 1992 to serve the country's mining industry (both in underground and surface operations). The company is currently a leading supplier of mining equipment, compressors, road construction equipment (Dynapac) as well as aftermarket services in the country. It has branches in Accra, Obuasi, and Tarkwa with a total of 128 employees and its regional responsibility covers the whole of West Africa. The vision of Atlas Copco is to become and remain 'First in Mind - First in Choice' for customers and other stakeholders.

About Innov – Exhibitor
Innov-X Africa is the African distributor for Olympus Innov-X, an innovative company involved in x-ray fluorescence (XRF) instrumentation. Olympus Innov-X systems perform fast, accurate chemical analysis in seconds to identify, differentiate and quantify most materials by elemental composition. The company's DELTA Hand held XRF with integrated GPS and GIS software, has been widely accepted as the new standard in the geologist's tool box for instant geochemistry out in the field.

About Robertson Geologging – Exhibitor
Now, as probably the major supplier of digital slim-hole borehole logging (wireline) equipment in the world, Robertson Geologging Ltd's success remains based on technological leadership and international customer support. RG borehole logging systems are currently used for mineral/mining applications, CBM exploration and shallow oil/gas exploration etc. globally. Their extensive product range includes the latest Micrologger II portable log acquisition unit, various winches ranging from 150m to 5000m capacity and nearly 50 digital combination probes.
 
About the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources – Supporting Organization
Ghana's Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR) is the sector Ministry entrusted with the sustainable management and utilization of Ghana 's lands, forests, wildlife and mineral resources for socio-economic growth and development. This is achieved through the efficient formulation, implementation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programs of sector agencies; efficient and equitable land delivery; promotion of sustainable forest, wildlife and mineral resource management and utilization; promotion of effective inter-agency and cross-sectoral linkages; creation of an enabling environment for effective private sector participation; and promotion of effective community participation in multiple use of land, forest wildlife and mineral resources.

About the Ghana Minerals Commission – Supporting Organization
Ghana's Minerals Commission is a government agency established under Article 269 of the 1992 Constitution and the Minerals Commission Act. The Minerals Commission as the main promotional and regulatory body for the minerals sector in Ghana, is responsible for "the regulation and management of the utilization of the mineral resources of Ghana and the coordination and implementation of policies relating to mining.

About the Ghana Chamber of Mines – Supporting Organization
The Ghana Chamber of Mines is the main minerals industry association in Ghana. The Chamber represents the collective interests of companies involved in mineral exploration, production and processing in Ghana. Its activities are entirely funded by its member companies, which produce over 90% of the Ghana's mineral output.