West Africa Mining and Power Conference to focus on local participation
The 2012 West Africa Mining and Power Exhibition and Conference (WAMPEX/WAMPOC) has been launched in Accra with the focus on how to promote local content and linkages in the sector to ensure that full benefit accrue to the country.
The three-day conference on the theme “Deepening partnerships for the sustainable development of Africa’s mineral and energy resources,” aims at addressing the current sustainable development issues that have risen in the mining industry in Ghana and in Africa.
The event schedule to be held in Accra from 6 – 8 June would also provide a platform for experience and knowledge sharing and discussions on the challenges and future prospects of Africa’s mining and energy sector.
Ghanaian mining companies and their counterparts from Mali, India, China, Senegal, Canada and Australia, among others are expected to attend the event.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Toni Aubynn, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, said sustainable management of mineral resources was important to promote equitable development.
He therefore urged industry players to effectively manage the resources at their disposal to enhance the sectors contribution to economic development.
He called for strong local participation in the extractive sector, especially strengthening the supply chain, to allow the country to tap into the synergies to boost the economic development of the country.
To enhance local participation, he said, the Ghana Chamber of Mines, the Minerals Commission and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which identified twenty-nine key areas to deepen local participation in the extractive industry.
Dr Aubynn said the mineral resources must provide the deliberate opportunity for value addition and building linkages that promoted other sectors of the economy.
He said there was also the need for the provision of relevant infrastructure and socio-economic development alongside the exploitation to ensure sustainable resource development.
Nana Darkwa, Director of Events & Projects International, said the mining and power conference was one of the most effective ways to move the mining and power industries forward.
He said the event will showcase new technological development in the mining industry and also allow participants to network.
The West Africa Mining and Power Exhibition and Conference (WAMPEX/WAMPOC) is the premium West African platform for the mining and power sectors to network with countries and other business experts.
Source: GNA