October is iPAD Month in DRC as Mining Community Gathers in Kinshasa and Lubumbashi

Kinshasa, Congo (Kinshasa), August 21, 2015 --(PR.com)-- October is iPAD* month in DRC and this year will once again see the return of the 11th edition of iPAD DRC Mining and Infrastructure Indaba in Kinshasa from 15-16 October, followed by the sixth edition of Katanga Mining Week in Lubumbashi from 20-21 October.

*iPAD = Infrastructure Partnerships for African Development

“We’re proud that the iPAD brand is so established and respected after more than 10 years and has become synonymous with the mining industry in the DRC,” says Nicole Smith, event director for iPAD in DRC. “As Africa’s third-largest country, the DRC could transform the region’s socio-economic landscape. While we await the approbation of the mining code at Parliament, exploration and projects development are the main issues faced by major mining operators and government institutions. Weak commodity prices, poor finance and investment opportunities are currently hampering the healthy development of this flourishing extractive industry in the region.”

Nicole Smith continues, “Mining operators, however, are increasingly looking at ways to curb operational spending while maintaining or increasing production levels. During iPAD DRC and Katanga Mining Week, we look forward to hearing our top industry peers share best practice and the latest project updates.”

The iPAD DRC Mining Awards were launched with great success last year and will also return in Kinshasa in October when the industry will reward excellence in the top mining people and projects. This year an eighth category has been added, namely Mining Woman of the Year, and this glamorous gala event will be moving to a new venue at the Beatrice Hotel.

Conference speaker highlights at iPAD DRC Mining and Infrastructure Indaba in Kinshasa:
- H.E Martin Kabwelulu Labilo, Ministry of Mines, DRC
- Jean Felix Mupande, Executive Director, Mining Cadastral, DRC
- Louis Watum, Executive Director, Ivanhoe Mines Ltd, DRC
- Simon Tuma Waku, Vice President, Federation of Congolese Enterprises / Mining, DRC
- Mark Bristow, CEO, Randgold Resources, CEO, UK
- Mark Farren, Executive Vice President of Operation Ivanhoe Mines, DRC
- John Clark, CEO, Banro, Canada
- Yves Bawa, PACT, Regional Technical Advisor, Mines to markets initiative, DRC

DRC’s hub of copper and cobalt mining
The Katanga Mining Week focuses more on the local challenges of the province as the hub of copper and cobalt mining in the DRC as well as the role of the mining industry in social development responsibilities.

Says event director Nicole Smith, “Infrastructure, the railways, the fiscal regime and the daily challenges that the mining operators encounter will be addressed and the specifics of the environment regulation will be elaborated on. Power and key solutions for the Katanga province will have a dedicated session, this is to help boost the production of copper and cobalt.”

She adds, “This year, the conference will also have workshops on Corporate Social Responsibility and best practices will be shared with the audience and companies will also be able to showcase their products around the Grand Karavia with additional outdoor space. This event is expanding!”

Conference speaker highlights at Katanga Mining week in Lubumbashi:
- H.E Moise Chapwe, Governor, Governorate of Katanga, DRC
- Eric Mboma, Executive Director, Standard Bank, DRC
- Marie Chantal Kaninda, Chief Advisor External Affairs Africa, Rio Tinto, RDC
- Elise Vigier, Technical Advisor, GIZ, Germany
- Charles Carron Brown, COO, Tiger Resources, Kipoi Mine, DRC
- Guy Nzuru, Manager, Ivanhoe Mines Ltd, DRC
- Ilunga Ilunkamba, Executive Director, National Railways Networks, DRC

Both iPAD DRC Mining and Infrastructure Indaba and Katanga Mining Week are enjoying great institutional and industry support again. Ivanhoe Mines is the diamond sponsor and Standard Bank the platinum sponsor in Kinshasa. Furthermore Banro Corporation, Engen and Tenke Fungurume have signed up as platinum sponsors at both events. Aggreko, Andritz Hydro and Tiger Resources are gold sponsors.

iPAD DRC Mining and Infrastructure Indaba and Katanga Mining Week are organised by Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and the African office of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK.

iPAD DRC Mining and Infrastructure Indaba dates and location:
Conference and exhibition: 15-16 October 2015
Industry Awards: 15 October 2015
Location: Fleuve Congo Hotel, 119 Boulevard Tshatshi, Kinshasa Gombe, DRC

Katanga Mining Week dates and location:
Power focus day: 19 October 2015
Conference and exhibition: 20-21 October 2015
Site visits: 22 October 2015
Locations: Grand Karavia Hotel, Lubumbashi, DRC