"The DRC could transform the region's socio-economic landscape"
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
Websites:
http://www.ipad-drc.com
http://www.ipad-katanga.com/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/iPAD_DRC
https://twitter.com/miningkatanga
Media contact:
Communications manager: Annemarie Roodbol
Telephone: +27 21 700 3558
Mobile: +27 82 562 7844
Email: annemarie.roodbol@spintelligent.com
About Spintelligent
Spintelligent (Pty) Ltd is an African media business, specialising in Exhibitions, Conferences and Publishing. Head-quartered in Cape Town with a team of 90 experienced professionals, Spintelligent is a dynamic and recognised organiser across multiple industry sectors and geographies. A specialist organiser with the ability to deliver key growth projects in the early emerging markets of the African continent.
Spintelligent is the African partner office of Clarion Events Ltd, the UK based organiser operating in 36 countries worldwide with 9 subsidiary offices delivering over 500 exhibitions and conferences annually.
Spintelligent delivers projects in African growth industry sectors; Power & Utilities; Energy; Mining; Education & Careers; Agriculture; Infrastructure; Military & Defence.
Spintelligent delivers projects in the emerging African markets; South Africa; Nigeria; Ghana; Kenya; Tanzania; DRC; Angola; Mozambique; Zambia.
Spintelligent is recognised for its print and electronic publications, with market-leading brands including Metering International, ESI Africa and Mining Review Africa.
Its regular global events and exhibitions, as well as its critical business intelligence and integrated marketing services make it a leader in its field. The company's highly skilled resources in management, marketing, research and production allow for unique products bridging the developed and developing markets.
www.spintelligent.com
Source: SPintelligent
