Industry heads confront political upset

Australia has seen political turmoil over the last week, but the mining industry has stood strong. The Next Generation Mining Committee understand better than most that they need to prepare for whatever the outcomes of the elections may be by continuing to move forward and investing in the places that will ensure continued growth.

The meeting itself took place last week in Perth. John Nicolaou – Chief Economist at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Western Australia spoke of the ‘good times ahead’, he went on to discuss the strong belief that Western Australia will return to the high growth path that was seen as the norm throughout the last decade. Nicolaou believes that this will be backed by the strong links with the rapidly developing economies in Asia. Duncan Calder – President, Australian China Business Council also confirmed this when he discussed the business relationship between Australia and China. Over the last 12 months Australia has seen China become its biggest investor. Asia’s insatiable appetite for resources backing its growth means that they alone have been a major contributor to Australia’s mining boom. Calder believes it is the way that Australia positions itself in the market now that will define its relationship with the continent into the future.

Brendon Pearson – Deputy Chief Executive of the Minerals Council of Australia discussed the more contentious issue of the day, the mining taxes faced by Australia. The Australian PM Julian Gillard has already stated that the mining tax will not be scrapped, but companies such as Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton, who were in attendance at the NG Mining summit, would stand to benefit from the scrapping of a mining profits tax and carbon trading plans. Pearson discussed the current press interest in the industry, as government and politicians search for a public consensus. Australia’s Mineral exports are now paying billions of dollars in carbon costs while competitors in Europe, Asia and the United States face no such charges. The failure of emissions legislation means that the Australian parliament now has an opportunity to design a carbon pricing scheme that will work in harmony with global initiatives to reduce emissions and foster new technologies, in turn protecting Australia’s exports for the foreseeable future.

Despite the current political upset Australia’s economy grew at its quickest pace for last three years in the second quarter of 2010. These results were based on a 5.6 percent rise in export volumes generated by the mining boom. The talk among the committee was a definite appreciation for what has been achieved since the start of the year and a belief that the good times can continue. Australia is now one of the strongest developed economies in the world and the executives in attendance at the NGM summit were reluctant to put this down to a one off mining boom.

Mining Security biggest Challenge

Mine Security in Africa his becoming a growing concern over the last 12 months and this despite its risks for the country itself is a key issue for the Mining industry. Neil de Beer, Secretary General, OABD will be speaking to the leading African mining companies on the Brand Africa concept and if we can possibly achieve sustainable development in the Mining Sector without Transformation of Africa’s thinking.
The Brand Africa concept speak of the countries ultimate objectives of a so-called "New Approach" to the development of effective strategies for the sustainable growth and meaningful transformation of the South African mining sector and how the continent has “taken on a mammoth task”.
Forecasts predict that South Africa’s mining sector will reach a value in excess of US$37bn by 2014. Africa is expected to be one of the first to bounce back from the depressed levels of 2009, and is likely to be among the first to benefit when the global economy returns to strength. Mining remains a key economic sector for South Africa, contributing some 8% to GDP. What the long-term future holds for the South African mining industry depends a lot on the result of exploration activities and any future changes made to mining regulations by the government.
Urgent discussions and negotiations aimed at producing the required strategies are set to take place between major, tripartite industry stakeholders announced the NGM Committee – Government, business and organised labor. These strategies will provide a comprehensive process that has been established to arrive at a new and productive economic policy for the country. Functioning in the correct environment the business of mining in South Africa retains considerable potential to assist Government in the achievement of critical public policy imperatives which include expanded economic growth, job creation and the alleviation of poverty.
The continent's is also embracing foreign investment agreed representatives from African Diamonds Plc - James Campbell, Managing Director , Banro Corporation - Michael Prinsloo, President & CEO , Ghana Chamber of Mines - Joyce Aryee, CEO and the Xstrata Group - Andile Sangqu, CEO Africa Executive Director, the mining industry is continually expanding and adapting to changing conditions with more international companies scrambling for a piece of the continent's resources.

Although underexplored, Africa hosts about 30% of the planet's mineral reserves, including 40% of gold, 60% of cobalt and 90% of the world's PGM reserves - making it a truly strategic producer of these precious metals. Most recently Russia is ready to invest US$1 billion (R7.5 billion) in uranium exploration in Namibia, as well as investment from Brazil, Australia and China.

South Africa has readied itself for a lucrative future and it seems that the rest of the world has taken heed.

Maximized Profits For Mining

Mzolisi (Zoli) Diliza – Chief Executive, Chamber of Mines of South Africa, spoke out last week at the Next Generation Mining Summit on mining futures within the continent.

The Chamber exists as the Principal advocate of major policy positions endorsed by the mining employers and represents these to various organs of South African national and provincial governments, they spoke to the ultimate objectives of a so-called "New Approach" to the development of effective strategies for the sustainable growth and meaningful transformation of the South African mining sector.

Forecasts predict that South Africa’s mining sector will reach a value in excess of US$37bn by 2014. Africa is expected to be one of the first to bounce back from the depressed levels of 2009, and is likely to be among the first to benefit when the global economy returns to strength. Mining remains a key economic sector for South Africa, contributing some 8% to GDP. What the long-term future holds for the South African mining industry depends a lot on the result of exploration activities and any future changes made to mining regulations by the government.

Urgent discussions and negotiations aimed at producing the required strategies are currently taking place between major, tripartite industry stakeholders announced the NGM Committee – Government, business and organised labor. These strategies will provide a comprehensive process that has been established to arrive at a new and productive economic policy for the country. Functioning in the correct environment the business of mining in South Africa retains considerable potential to assist Government in the achievement of critical public policy imperatives which include expanded economic growth, job creation and the alleviation of poverty.
The continent's is also embracing foreign investment agreed representatives from African Diamonds Plc - James Campbell, Managing Director , Banro Corporation - Michael Prinsloo, President & CEO , Ghana Chamber of Mines - Joyce Aryee, CEO and the Xstrata Group - Andile Sangqu, CEO Africa Executive Director, the mining industry is continually expanding and adapting to changing conditions with more international companies scrambling for a piece of the continent's resources.

Although underexplored, Africa hosts about 30% of the planet's mineral reserves, including 40% of gold, 60% of cobalt and 90% of the world's PGM reserves - making it a truly strategic producer of these precious metals. Most recently Russia is ready to invest US$1 billion (R7.5 billion) in uranium exploration in Namibia, as well as investment from Brazil, Australia and China.
South Africa has readied itself for a lucrative future and it seems that the rest of the world has taken heed.

Growth a given in Africa?

Mzolisi (Zoli) Diliza – Chief Executive, Chamber of Mines of South Africa, spoke out last week at the Next Generation Mining Summit on mining futures within the continent.

The Chamber exists as the Principal advocate of major policy positions endorsed by the mining employers and represents these to various organs of South African national and provincial governments, they spoke to the ultimate objectives of a so-called "New Approach" to the development of effective strategies for the sustainable growth and meaningful transformation of the South African mining sector.

Forecasts predict that South Africa’s mining sector will reach a value in excess of US$37bn by 2014. Africa is expected to be one of the first to bounce back from the depressed levels of 2009, and is likely to be among the first to benefit when the global economy returns to strength. Mining remains a key economic sector for South Africa, contributing some 8% to GDP. What the long-term future holds for the South African mining industry depends a lot on the result of exploration activities and any future changes made to mining regulations by the government.

Urgent discussions and negotiations aimed at producing the required strategies are currently taking place between major, tripartite industry stakeholders announced the NGM Committee – Government, business and organised labor. These strategies will provide a comprehensive process that has been established to arrive at a new and productive economic policy for the country. Functioning in the correct environment the business of mining in South Africa retains considerable potential to assist Government in the achievement of critical public policy imperatives which include expanded economic growth, job creation and the alleviation of poverty.

The continent's is also embracing foreign investment agreed representatives from African Diamonds Plc - James Campbell, Managing Director , Banro Corporation - Michael Prinsloo, President & CEO , Ghana Chamber of Mines - Joyce Aryee, CEO and the Xstrata Group - Andile Sangqu, CEO Africa Executive Director, the mining industry is continually expanding and adapting to changing conditions with more international companies scrambling for a piece of the continent's resources.

Although underexplored, Africa hosts about 30% of the planet's mineral reserves, including 40% of gold, 60% of cobalt and 90% of the world's PGM reserves - making it a truly strategic producer of these precious metals. Most recently Russia is ready to invest US$1 billion (R7.5 billion) in uranium exploration in Namibia, as well as investment from Brazil, Australia and China.

South Africa has readied itself for a lucrative future and it seems that the rest of the world has taken heed.

Sustainability key to growth in Africa

Africa is the most mineral rich continent on earth and open for business in a big way, this has not gone unnoticed by the industry’s executives who have announced their meeting at the latest NG Mining Africa summit.

The continent's mining industry is continually expanding and adapting to changing conditions with more international companies scrambling for a piece of the continent's resources. But is now the time to start considering the environmental impact.

For good reasons, the mining sector has come under more scrutiny globally than any other in the past two decades. Whereas mining has attracted considerable foreign direct investment into Africa, has generated ancillary infrastructure, and boosted export earnings, it’s environmental, developmental and governance records have been highly uneven, ranging from the exemplary to the corrupt, unscrupulous and destructive.

Yet the mining sector has and continues to reform itself in significant respects and a new genre of mining operation is evident in Africa. Its role is to not just be a good Corporate Citizen but also a potential driver of local, regional and national development.

New age mining in Africa is not only possible, it is essential for long-term sustainability and a need for real, rather than nominal, trilateral partnerships between mining houses, government and local communities are fundamental to success, a committee of African Mining Execs has now been formed to confront the environmental impacts while sustaining profitable growth. The Committee consisting of executives from African Diamonds Plc - James Campbell, Managing Director , Banro Corporation - Michael Prinsloo, President & CEO , Ghana Chamber of Mines - Joyce Aryee, CEO and the Xstrata Group - Andile Sangqu, CEO Africa Executive Director, will meet at the NG Mining Africa summit (hosted by GDS International) to discuss the future.

With considerable environmental complications, including chronic soil degradation, chemical contamination, and air pollution it is the responsibility of a few to protect the many and the sustainability of Africa’s mining future will be key in its viability. Is the industry ready to face its responsibilities?