iPAD DRC and Katanga Mining Briefing to Focus on Critical Infrastructure Needs and a Condusive Business Climate in DRC in October 2013

Kinshasa, Congo (Kinshasa), June 14, 2013 --(PR.com)-- Critical infrastructure requirements in energy and transport as well as transparency, good governance, conflict minerals and the business outlook for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will be at the heart of the next edition of the iPAD DRC Mining and Infrastructure Indaba and iPAD Katanga Mining Briefing conferences and exhibitions. Both events will take place respectively from 9 to 11 October 2013 at the Hotel River Congo, Kinshasa and from 15 to 17 October 2013, at the Grand Karavia, Lubumbashi.

iPAD DRC and the Katanga Mining Briefing are proud to officially launch their programmes today.

“This year, iPAD DRC and the Katanga Mining Briefing are honoured to offer you a unique opportunity to engage policy makers and business people in the DRC. Delegates will learn about the investment potential within the mining sector as well as about key infrastructure projects to boost industrial mining production. We will also be talking about strategies to up skill the sector and develop local content – all key to the growth of this critical sector in the DRC,“ says Nicole Smith iPAD DRC and Katanga Mining Briefing director.

She adds: “We have worked with mining companies and the government to ensure that the themes are up-to-date and delegates have the latest update on this flourishing economy.”

High-level speakers include:

iPAD DRC Mines and Infrastructure in Kinshasa speakers:
• H.E. Matata Ponyo, Prime Minister of the Democratic, Republic of Congo, DRC
• H.E. Martin Kabwelulu Labilo, Minister of Mines, DRC
• H.E. Bruno Kapandji Kalala, Minister of Power, DRC
• Oscar Melhado, Representative, IMF, DRC
• Mark Bristow, Chief Executive Officer, Randgold Resources, UK
• Ali Boroumand, Associate, Heenan Blaikie, France

Katanga Mining Briefing speakers:
• H.E Moise Katumbi Chapwe, Governor of Katanga Province, DRC
• H.E. Martin Kabwelulu Labilo, Minister of Mines, DRC
• Ahmed Kalej Nkand, Chief Executive, Gécamines, DRC
• Simon Tuma-Waku, Vice President in charge of the Mining Sector, FEC, DRC
• Charles Carron Brown, Chief of Exploration, Tiger Congo SPRL, DRC
• André Kapanga, Vice President, External Relations, Tenke Fungurume Minerals, DRC

Delegates will have access to the DRC task team in Kinshasa in order to meet with the CEOs of mining companies in the sectors of gold, cobalt, copper, diamonds, tin and tantanium. At the Katanga Mining Briefing emphasis will be placed on the copper and cobalt belts as well as on local issues affecting mining operations in the province.