To enhance Nigeria-Australia relations in the mining sector, the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Leilani Bin-Juda, paid a courtesy visit to Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake.
During the visit, High Commissioner Bin-Juda extended a formal invitation to Dr Alake to attend the prestigious African Down Under (ADU) conference, scheduled to take place in Perth, Australia, from September 4th to 6th, 2024.
The ADU conference is a leading event that brings together key stakeholders in Africa’s mining sector, providing a platform for discussions on investment opportunities, technological advancements, and bilateral cooperation.
The High Commissioner highlighted the importance of the upcoming conference, emphasizing the immense opportunities it offers for Nigeria to engage in bilateral meetings that could significantly boost its mining sector.
Australia, known for its rich mineral resources and cutting-edge mining technologies, is one of the world’s top producers of essential minerals such as iron ore, coal, gold, and bauxite.
The country’s expertise and resources position it as a critical player in the global mining industry, making the ADU conference a strategic opportunity for Nigeria.
In their discussions, Dr. Alake and High Commissioner Bin-Juda explored potential avenues for Nigerian professionals to benefit from specialized training in mining, offered by Australian institutions.
These short courses are designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of Nigerian experts, thereby contributing to the development of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
A key highlight of their meeting was the introduction of a new free platform developed by Geoscience Australia, tailored specifically for Africa.
This innovative platform utilizes satellite data to track and monitor mining activities across the continent, offering free, high-quality training and real-time data access.
The High Commissioner stressed the transformative potential of this platform, which could revolutionize how Nigeria manages and oversees its mining operations.
Accompanied by the Second Secretary of the Australian High Commission, Anto Bouckley, High Commissioner Bin-Juda reiterated her commitment to strengthening ties between the two nations.
She expressed her intention to visit the Minister again after the conference, signalling ongoing collaboration and partnership.
Dr Alake expressed his gratitude for the invitation and reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to deepen its relationship with Australia, particularly in the solid minerals sector.
The visit marks a positive step forward in fostering stronger ties between Nigeria and Australia, with both nations poised to benefit from the shared knowledge and opportunities in the mining industry.
Meanwhile, Alake has pledged federal government support to mining companies that prioritise local content.
This assurance came during his site tour of Segilola Resources Operating Limited (SROL), an indigenous gold mining company in Ilesa, Osun State.
Alake commended SROL for its extensive use of local resources, noting that over 95% of its staff are Nigerians, urging other mining operators to emulate the company’s commitment to local content and adopt international best practices to develop the sector.
