Alake Advocates Training For Mining Professionals

The Minister of Solid Minerals, Mr Dele Alake has called for a programme that will enable Nigerian mining professionals to study modern mining technology and practices in Western Australia with the government’s support.

Mr. Alake made the request when he led the Nigerian delegation to the 21st Africa Down Under Mining Conference held in Perth, Australia.

In a statement signed by the Deputy Director Press in the Ministry, Mr. Alaba Balogun in Abuja, Alake, while presenting the request acknowledged the progress achieved by the Australian government in mineral development.

It says Australia had acquired a lot of knowledge and skills in developing its modern mining industry adding that Nigerians will benefit from training, study trips and exchanges of mineral professionals in its current effort to transform the sector.

The statement also adds that Nigeria had launched a roadmap to attract foreign direct investment by investing in big data on minerals and the quantum of their deposits, forming a solid minerals corporation and joint venture agreements with multinationals in mining to enable the sector to compete globally.

“Nigeria has vast deposits of precious minerals, including lithium, gold, coal, lead, zinc, baryte and iron ore”.

Responding, Minister of Mines, Petroleum, Energy, and Corrective Relations, Western Australia, Bill Johnson who appreciates the visit of the minister of Solid Minerals and his delegation says the meeting will pave way for cordial relations.

The delegation comprises the Nigerian High Commissioner to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, Ambassador Anderson Madubuike, Deputy High Commissioner, Mrs Mercy Clement, Mr Martins Imonitie, Investment Banker from ANZ Bank, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Solid Minerals, Dr.Mary Ogbe, Special Adviser to the Minister, Kehinde Bamigbetan, Director Mining Cadastral Office, Simon Nkom Obadiah and Technical Assistant to the Minister, Mrs.Chinemerem Nwaka.

Georgina Humphrey, Edited By Grace Namiji