Nigeria Mining Week to Provide Practical Business Know-How, Solutions and Updates to Build Country’s Mining Industry

Abuja, Nigeria, July 25, 2018 --(PR.com)-- Setting up a new mining project requires years and is not an easy task: from the discovery, development through to the production stages, all require a lot of resources, knowledge and guidance. The upcoming third edition of the Nigeria Mining Week in Abuja from 15-17 October provides access to all the practical knowledge, valuable connections and decision makers for would-be and established mining companies in the country.

“The Nigerian mining industry has witnessed great developments during the last two years,” says Alh. Sani Shehu, the President of the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), the organisers of Nigeria Mining Week, “with the improved funding of the sector to implement the Roadmap for Mining Development, the Ministry continues to tackle critical challenges such as exploration, policing of the Nigerian mine fields to checkmate illegal mining and support the artisanal and small scale mining to encourage legal mining practice.”

He adds, “This has translated into increased government revenue and massive employment. It has also generated interest from foreign and indigenous investors in Nigeria. We need to support the Government to create an enabling environment for the growth of this promising industry.”

“The third edition of Nigeria Mining Week is structured to be rewarding to all participants,” says MAN President Shehu. He explains: “whether you are new to the Nigerian mining sector, a seasoned professional or even a would-be-miner, this week of activities will encompass all the ‘need to know’ aspects to discover the potential of the mining industry in Nigeria: a Finance Masterclass, international exhibition, two-day strategic conference, Dragon’s den, mentorship facilitation, free-to-attend technical workshops, networking sessions and unlimited connections are some of the key features awaiting participants at the event.”

Nigeria Mining Week conference programme highlights include:

• Grand Opening Session:
- Welcome address from MAN: Report back on what has been achieved since 2017 and what is on the cards for the next six months?
* Alhaji Sani Shehu, President, Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigeria

- Leveraging the transformative potential of the Africa Mining Vision for the Nigerian mining industry
* Claudine Sigam, Head, Human and Institutional Capacities, African Minerals Development Center (AMDC), Ethiopia

- Ministerial address: New perspectives for 2018-2030 – what has been achieved to date?
* Honourable Bawa Bwari, Minister, Ministry of Mines & Steel Development, Nigeria*

- The place of the mining industry in the ERGP implementation process
* Sani Yakubu, Senior Special Assistant to the President, Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Nigeria

• Finance Master Class:
How to take your business plan to the next level
Chairperson: Abisola Atitebi, Director, Energy Utilitiesand Resources, PwC, Nigeria

• Project Updates:
Developing a gold market centre in West Africa: Integrating the development value chain into the regional economy.

• Panel Discussions:
Policy and legal frameworks: Finding the balance between the expectations from the public sector and the reality of the private sector.
Chairperson: Moshood Olajide Partner, Tax and Corporate Advisory Services, PwC

• Dragons Den:
Selected and qualified candidates will get the opportunity to pitch their projects in front of a qualified panel of judges.

• Panel Discussions:
Downstream mining beneficiation: The way to grow the local market and increase the GDP
Chairperson: Habeeb Jaiyeola Director, Head Mining Industry, PwC, Nigeria

• Mentorship Programme:
Free business accelerator empowering and strengthening the capacity of mining entrepreneurs. The programme will enable small scale miners in need of mentorship support for the growth of their activities to access mentors with the experience, knowledge and networks to help them improve efficiency, profitability and growth of their businesses.

Strategic platform for the mineral sector
Nigeria Mining Week is again receiving the strategic support from the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development and PwC Nigeria.

The event offers a one-stop-shop to engage directly with policy makers, financiers and mining investors as well as the opportunity to gain the most current information on geophysical data on the resources available to explore in Nigeria. The third annual event will provide a platform to engage with over 700 small scale miners through MAN, 10 Nigerian states displaying and promoting opportunities in small and medium scale mining and over 100 mining and exploration companies.

Since inception Nigeria Mining Week has received solid and enthusiastic industry support and already market leaders such as 3M Geo Resources, AG Vision, Kian Smith, Minelab, Panafrican Equipment, Rubble Master, SBOG and SMT Nigeria are early confirmed sponsors for Nigeria Mining Week.

The event is organised by the Miners Association of Nigeria in partnership with Spintelligent and PwC Nigeria. Spintelligent is a well-known trade conference and expo organiser on the continent. The company has particular expertise and experience in mining, infrastructure development, energy and agriculture events; including long-running flagship shows such as DRC Mining Week in Lubumbashi, Kenya Mining Forum in Nairobi, Agritech Expo Zambia and African Utility Week in Cape Town.