ConMin West Africa 2018( pdf)

...creating global opportunities SPECIAL EDITION

Spotlight Publication on ConMin West Africa 2018

THE LATEST IN NEW TECHNOLOGIES IN THE MINING MARKETPLACE

MINING COMPANIES & TECHNOLOGIES IN THE MINING MARKETPLACE

'We have managed to develop a real ‘partnership’ with the Federal Government of Nigeria and we are still working along with some of the States that have higher mining potentials' - Francisco Igualada, Senior Mining Specialist, Energy & Extractive Industries, World Bank

Oil and Gas Republic Features

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Editorial Contents: Country Reports

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Finance

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Local Content

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Media Tour (ExxonMobil Site Visit)

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Industry News

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CORRESPONDENTS: Jackson Olagbaju Genevieve Aningo Chima Ojiaku

Women in Mining

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Mining News

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CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS: Natali Schwab, dpa (Germany) Anna Ringle, dpa (Germany) Ambrose Nnaji (Nigeria) Ayobami Adedinni (Nigeria) Binutiri Samson (Nigeria)

Exclusive Interview

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Top Story

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Photo Gallery

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Construction & Infrastructure

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Mining & Construction Companies

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Upstream Summit

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Maritime News

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EDITORIAL BOARD PUBLISHER & EDITOR-INCHEIF: Samuel Obineme EDITOR: Owoyimika Tobi Timothy SENIOR NEWS WRITER: Ndubuisi Micheal Obineme

...creating global opportunities SPECIAL EDITION

Spotlight Publication on ConMin West Africa 2018

THE LATEST IN NEW TECHNOLOGIES IN THE MINING MARKETPLACE

MINING COMPANIES & TECHNOLOGIES IN THE MINING MARKETPLACE

'We have managed to develop a real ‘partnership’ with the Federal Government of Nigeria and we are still working along with some of the States that have higher mining potentials' - Francisco Igualada, Senior Mining Specialist, Energy & Extractive Industries, World Bank

ABOUT US: Oil and Gas Republic is an international media and publication company covering the entire value chain of the Renewable Energy, Power & Electricity, Mining, Oil & Gas Industry. We also have a dedicated platform for spotlight publication for companies and over 50,000 Industry professionals including NOCs & IOCs, stakeholders, companies from all over the world are subscribed to our publications.

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LOCAL COUNTRY MINING CONTENT NEWS REPORT

Wind of change: What happens to Germany's old wind turbines?

Nord Stream 2 pipeline approved in Germany

By Anna Ringle, dpa

What happens to old wind turbines when they are taken off the grid?

The number of turbines decommissioned in Europe's most wind-energyfriendly country is set to rise, but not all of them can be sold abroad.

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ottbus, Germany (dpa) - Germany is a world leader when it comes to wind power: there are nearly 30,000 wind turbines in operation, providing more power to the grid than in any other European country. But these huge wind turbines - with blades often over 50 metres long - don't last forever, and there is rising concern in Germany over how to recycle turbines that have served their purpose and been decommissioned. The number is set to rise over the years ahead, as they wear out and newer technologies take over, but not all of them can be sold off abroad.

Bremen-based Neocomp was set up in 2015. It shreds decommissioned rotor blades, mixing the chippings - largely of glass fibre - with residues from paper manufacture for sale to the cement industry, chief executive Hans-Dieter Wilcken explains.

The fibreglass is added to the cement. "Demand is so high that we could in fact produce more," says Wilcken.

Neocomp takes decommissioned blades from across Germany and also from neighbouring Denmark. It also takes production residues left over from the manufacture of rotor blades, which are in general made of glass fibre-reinforced plastics (GRP). For the present, these residues form the major part of the material, as to date there are at the moment relatively few rotor blades being decommissioned.

G

ermany has approved the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in the German Baltic Sea, the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) said in Hamburg on Tuesday.

There were no concerns regarding either shipping or the marine environment to prevent the construction of the 31-kilometre section of the pipeline in the exclusive economic zone, the agency said.

The Stralsund Mining Authority had already approved the construction in the coastal waters in January. Tuesday's BSH decision means that all the permits required in Germany have now been obtained.

Nord Stream 2 is intended to bolster the capacity of the existing Nord Stream pipeline, which transports natural gas from Russia to Germany. The subsidiary of Russian gas export monopoly Gazprom, which plans to start construction of the pipeline in German waters in the spring, welcomed the decision.

"We are pleased that all the necessary permits for the 85-kilometre-long German section are now present," said Nord Stream manager Jens Lange.

Merkel: Eon-RWE energy shake-up is 'right choice' for Germany

By Natali Schwab, dpa

While Neocomp sees itself as occupying a niche in the German market, Wilcken predicts greater competition over the years ahead.

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rankfurt (dpa) - Angela Merkel has hailed German energy companies Eon and RWE for their 22-billion-euro (27.1billion-dollar) bid to restructure the country's energy business, calling it the "right choice" to overcome the challenges of her landmark green energy policy.

The German Wind Energy Association (GWEA) predicts that an increasing number of wind turbines will be disassembled from 2021.

From that point, many of the turbines will cease to be eligible for generous subsidies under Germany's Renewable Energy Sources Act, which went into force in 2000 and guaranteed feedin tariffs for 20 years.

Speaking at the signing of a new coalition agreement in Berlin, the chancellor said she trusted "our energy companies to make the right choice when it comes to implementing green energy policies and managing to create a sustainable energy supply."

Many old turbines are likely to be replaced by more modern and efficient equipment. The GWEA believes that keeping the old turbines turning would be technically possible, but whether or not they will be profitable is debatable, as no one can predict electricity prices in 2021.

According to the association, there were more than 28,000 wind turbines turning in Germany last year. Almost 1,800 new turbines came on stream on land last year, with 387 scheduled for decommissioning.

According to the GWEA, there is demand for the old turbines, from south-eastern Europe, for example. But it also says that ideas on recycling are increasingly being investigated, given predictions that more turbines will be taken off grid. Scientists have also been looking into the options. Researchers at Brandenburg Technical University south of Berlin are looking into combining shredded rotor blades with the fly ash left over in coal-fired power plants for use in the cement industry.

The recycled rotor blades are expected to help stabilize the concrete when cracks occur, as Holger Seidlitz, a professor in the university's construction department, explains. He adds that trials conducted last year showed promise.

Thomas Probst of the German association of secondary raw materials and disposal notes that the rotor blades are unsuitable for incineration, even after shredding. The epoxy resins used in carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP), a material increasingly being used, could damage the filters of the incinerating plants, Probst says. As Probst notes, most of the recycling ideas turn on the construction sector, with use in plaster as well as in cement, but there are as yet no largescale applications for recycling the blades.

Angela Merkel

Merkel's decision, in the wake of the Fukushima disaster seven years ago, to shut coal and nuclear power plants in favour of wind and solar energy financially weakened Germany's energy

Eon said it had agreed to take over a large stake in utility company RWE's subsidiary Innogy in exchange for a range of assets from Eon's renewable energy business, in what is considered a far-reaching revamp of the industry.

Innogy said that it planned to forge ahead with plans to expand its green energy business despite the surprise announcement on Sunday that Eon and RWE wanted to break it up and share its business areas between them.

Innogy remained tight-lipped about the deal, with chief executive Uwe Tigges saying he would "give an opinion in due course."

In 2017 Innogy's earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) were 2.8 billion euros (3.45 billion dollars), an annual increase of 3 per cent. The lion's share of the earnings - 1.9 billion euros came from Innogy's network business.

Net profits dropped by almost 50 per cent over the year to 778 million euros as a result of a write-down in its British distribution business. Underlying profits were up 9 per cent year-onyear at 1.2 billion euros.

Innogy forecast it would achieve net profits of 1.1 billion euros and earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of 2.7 billion euros in 2018.

www.oilandgasrepublic.com

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LOCAL COUNTRY CONTENT REPORT

Argentina Set to Host The Presidency of the G20 Nations in November 2018 “Today we begin the period of intense work that will serve to tell the world about Argentina and to tell Argentina about the world. It is one of the greatest challenges of our history.

“We will lead the G20 with the spirit of being an honest broker. The Argentine G20 presidency will be a success only if we work together. I invite you all to put forth all of our effort and talent to achieve it,” President Mauricio Macri G20 countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States

Mauricio Macri, President of Argentina The Group of Twenty (G20) is a leading forum of the world's major economies that seeks to develop global policies to address today’s most pressing challenges. The G20 is made up of 19 countries and the European Union.

The 19 countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The G20 was born out of a meeting of G7 finance ministers and central bank governors in 1999 who saw a need for a more inclusive body with broader representation to have a stronger impact on addressing the world’s financial challenges. The G7 invited leading markets - both developed and emerging - to form a new ministerial-level forum: the G20.

In 2008, amidst the global financial crisis, the world saw a need for new consensus-building at the highest political level. Since then, the G20 summits have been attended by heads of state or government, and the G20 was instrumental in steering the course through the economic turmoil and in stabilizing the world economy. Since then, its agenda has expanded to include additional issues affecting financial markets, trade, and development.

G20 members represent all inhabited continents, 85 percent of global economic output, two-thirds of the world's population, and 75 percent of international trade.

G20 policy-making is enriched by the participation of key international organizations regularly invited to G20 meetings, guest countries invited at the president's discretion, and engagement groups composed of different sectors civil society.

Official remarks by President Mauricio Macri at the launch of the Argentine G20 Presidency: I want to begin by thanking the three leaders we have heard for their generosity and support; they are three of the most important leaders of the 21st century. I would also like to thank all the countries that have supported us in the search for the ARA San Juan submarine, which continues to this day. I ask you for a round of applause as a demonstration of our gratitude.

This is a historic day for all Argentines. We assume the presidency of the G20, the most relevant global forum for economic cooperation. This process culminates in the Leaders’ Summit, which will take place in South America for the first time. It convenes heads of state and government from the 20 most vital world economies, who advance the coordination on the critical issues of the present, and for our development.

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As with the WTO’s Ministerial Conference, beginning in a few days’ time, we are putting Argentina in a place of relevance in the world. A world to which we inspire confidence because it sees that we are on the right path. A world that we see as an opportunity for us to grow and to develop.

We want to be the voice for an entire region, not just our country.

This is why we will bring the aspirations and concerns of this entire developing region, eager for new opportunities, to the table at the G20.

We will show that we can join the global conversation without raising our voice in anger, yet also without passively following the interests of others. Our view from the south of the world in the 21st century can be a bridge for diversity.

The challenge is to be up to the task of these events and to generate the conditions for a broad and diverse dialogue. The presence of all of you here today is an invitation to be the protagonists of our intelligent insertion to the international community.

By “intelligent insertion”, I refer to be able to express our democratic and multilateral identity, and to take advantage of global opportunities to create jobs, investment and exports; as well as to elevate the quality of our education and scientific systems, and to live in a safer environment.

We are a nation with a diverse identity. Diversity is in our DNA, and sustains our tradition of peace and peaceful coexistence. Our language is that of justice and consensus. Our diplomacy is based on the power of the norm, not of the norm of power. We have a vocation to better the quality of life of our people without harming the quality of life of others.

An important part of what we’re doing at the G20 has to do with the major goal we have in Argentina: to reduce poverty. Our vision is for the G20 to be a group of countries that cooperate to generate inclusive growth.

In light of this, we have decided on the slogan for our presidency: “Building consensus for fair and sustainable development.” We will lead the G20 based on the principle of putting people first, with a focus on equality and sustainability.

During the 2008 crisis, the G20 proved its effectiveness. It prevented an international economic depression and strengthened financial framework. By contrast, today’s growth is firm; however, we must remain cautiously optimistic.

This growth has not benefited everyone and this has breached many people’s confidence in globalisation. The level of inequality is a daily reminder that implores us to ensure that growth reaches all.

Our presidency will build on the agreements met in Hamburg. We are proposing priorities where we believe there is a shared interest.

Argentina will propose an agenda focused on three key themes: the future of work, infrastructure for development, and a sustainable food future.

The future of work aims to unleash people’s potential.

Technology is changing the processes of production, which offers opportunities as well as challenges. We must ensure that the adoption of these technological advances does not lead to economic exclusion or other negative side effects.

Education is at the centre of debate. Making the next wave of technological advances as inclusive as possible will require great investment in training and updating skillsets for life and work.

Now is the time to forge these opportunities and abilities to prepare our people for this change. We are employing this in Argentina: creating fundamental consensus, and adhering to the spirit of agreement and dialogue with workers, business leaders, and the public sector.

Infrastructure is crucial for development. Investing in it spurs growth and productivity, and provides physical and digital access to take advantage of future opportunities. Encouraging private investment is fundamental to close the global infrastructure gap.

In this country, we are undertaking the most ambitious infrastructure plan in our history. In the G20 we will seek to develop infrastructure as a new asset class which can channel today’s savings into transport, sanitation services, energy, and connectivity which will transform each individual today into a citizen and worker of the world in the future.

A sustainable food future in everyone’s interest. As the producer of foodstuffs for more than 400 million people, Argentina is ready to do its part.

Agricultural lands are a natural resource that produces most of our food. They are necessary for food security and human health.

As a finite and non-renewable resource, their preservation is crucial.

The G20 can create the coordination necessary to foment major public-private partnerships and to create a sustainable food future. To ensure continuity of the G20’s work, we will find support in the legacy of previous presidencies. We will further the efforts on issues ranging from gender equality, anticorruption, strengthening global financial governance, protecting the environment, amongst others.

Today we begin the period of intense work that will serve to tell the world about Argentina and to tell Argentina about the world.

It is one of the greatest challenges of our history. We will lead the G20 with the spirit of being an honest broker. The Argentine G20 presidency will be a success only if we work together. I invite you all to put forth all of our effort and talent to achieve it.

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FINANCE

Uganda secures oil refinery deal, Siemens plans 1 billion euros' following ALSF interventions investment in Brazil

The President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni (centre), congratulates Irene Muloni, Ugandan Minister of Energy and Minerals (centre right), and Rajakumari Jandhyala, CEO of Yaatra Ventures (centre left), and representative of the Albertine Graben Consortium, who met in Entebbe to sign the Agreement.

W

ith the support of the African Legal Support Facility (ALSF), the Government of Uganda has successfully signed an agreement with a consortium of American and Italian firms to finance and construct a US $4-billion refinery in the country’s Hoima district. The project will be a joint venture with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), a limited liability oil company owned by the Government of Uganda.

The signing ceremony for the agreement took place on April 10, 2018 in Entebbe, Uganda. The agreement establishes critical terms and conditions for the oil refinery’s development and represents an important milestone in the commercialization of Uganda’s natural resource endowments.

Following an emergency request made by the Ugandan government in June 2017, the ALSF responded by providing capacity building and training support in the area of contract negotiation to the Uganda National Oil Company. The Facility also supported the Ugandan government by making available an international legal firm to provide advisory services for their ongoing negotiations.

The current reserves of crude oil in Uganda’s Albertine region are estimated to be approximately 6.5 billion barrels. The oil refinery is expected to have a 60,000 barrels-per-day processing capacity, and is expected to intensify production shortly after the facility’s inauguration. Ever since commercially viable hydrocarbon deposits were discovered in Uganda in 2006, the Government of Uganda has launched a development strategy which seeks to translate their presence into regional development and inclusive economic growth.

“This agreement is a key step towards the construction of the oil refinery in Hoima District,” said President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, “since it ensures development, design, financing, construction, operation and maintenance of the facility.”

“Today’s signing ceremony, and this project in particular, are a ‘game changer’ for the country and for UNOC,” explained Josephine Wapakabulo, Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda National Oil Company. “The development of the refinery will trigger a number of other investments in the energy-based industries and thus contribute to economic development of Uganda and will contribute to the achievement of middle-income status,” she added.

Wapakabulo provided her signature on behalf of the Ugandan government, while Rajakumari Jandhyala, CEO of Yaatra Ventures, signed on behalf of the Albertine Graben Consortium. The signing ceremony was also attended by Director and CEO of the ALSF, Stephen Karangizi.

In August 2017, the Ugandan government elected to conduct negotiations with the Albertine Graben Refinery Consortium, which is composed of General Electric Oil and Gas, YAATRA Ventures LLC, Intracontinental Asset Holdings Ltd and Saipem SpA.

G

erman electro-technology giant Siemens has announced plans to invest some 1 billion euros (1.2 billion dollars) to expand its operations in Brazil, covering electrification, automation and digitalization efforts.

The company said it had signed a letter of intent with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency for the investment plans.

"The initiative sketched out in the agreement has the potential over the next five years to give a boost to a sustained economic upswing in Brazil," the Siemens announcement said.

The projects foreseen will strengthen Brazil's infrastructure in the energy, traffic and health sectors, it said.

The goal is to boost the economy's competitiveness through greater productivity, which is based on digitalization and improved energy efficiency.

Siemens also aimed to promote the exchange of knowledge with software licences for universities and through special training offers.

After the 2015-16 recession, when the economy slumped by a total of 7 per cent - accompanied by a severe political crisis - Brazil is growing again.

Given that Siemens invested around 1 billion euros over the previous 15 years in Brazil, the new investment plans represent a tripling of investments for the next five-year period.

The country, with the largest economy in Latin America and a population of over 200 million, holds great potential, Siemens noted.

Finland approves Nord Stream 2 Baltic Sea gas pipeline

F

inland said it has approved an application from an international consortium planning an underwater pipeline to transport natural gas from Russia to Germany, the second of its kind.

The Nord Stream 2 pipeline, comprising twin pipelines, is to run about 1,200 kilometres through the Baltic Sea. About 370 kilometres are to pass through Finland's exclusive economic zone, the Finnish government said. The initial Nord Stream 1 project, also comprising twin pipelines, went online in 2011-12.

The consortium comprises: Russia's Gazprom, which has a 51-per-cent stake; German energy companies Wintershall Holding and E.ON subsidiary PEG Infrastruktur; Dutch natural gas infrastructure company NV Nederlandse Gasunie; and French group ENGIE. The project has generated debate in light of Russia's more assertive stance in the Baltic region and the European Union's efforts to avoid too much dependence on one supplier or energy source.

The Finnish government said its consent was "conditional," saying it required that party's involved in the project had to take into consideration the environment of the Baltic Sea and possible future infrastructure projects. A regional state administrative agency would be in charge of issuing a construction permit.

The international consortium filed its application in September. It planned to lay the Nord Stream 2 pipelines in 2018–2019, and go online in ëarly 2020.

Irene Muloni, Minister of Energy and Minerals in Uganda (left), and Rajakumari Jandhyala, CEO of Yaatra Ventures (right), and representative of the Albertine Graben Consortium, meet in Entebbe to sign the Project Framework Agreement (PFA).

www.oilandgasrepublic.com

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EGINA FPSO 3 The first FPSO integration in Africa 3 The biggest manifold built in Nigeria 3 The integrated control system of the instrumentation was built in Lagos 3 The drilling team, first of world records.

Drilling 1,000 kilometres in one day

LOCAL CONTENT

Total Egina FPSO, Making Nigerian Waters A Reality President Goodluck Jonathan, the law mandated the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to deepen the participation of Nigerians and Nigerian facilities in the oil and gas industry, by facilitating local capacity development and ensuring that the execution of large components of any project is domiciled in-country.

The law empowers NCDMB to maximise local participation in the oil and gas industry as part of the efforts to build local manpower and facilities, curb capital flight and create job opportunities for Nigerians in the industry. NCDMB not only insisted that any future integration of FPSOs must be carried out locally, the agency also directed that a large fabrication scope of FPSO project must be performed in Nigeria.

FPSO fabrication and integration yard: The Nigerian Content Act had led to increased indigenous asset ownership, particularly marine vessels, in-country fabrication and manufacturing capabilities, as well as local human capital development. The country had lacked facilities for integration of FPSOs before Total awarded the Egina FPSO contract to SHI. In order to carry out the local fabrication and integration of the Egina FPSO as required by Total, and the NCDMB, Samsung Heavy industries surveyed local facilities, but eventually Samsung decided to build a new fabrication and integration yard with $300 million of investment to keep the international standard level of quality and safety, within Tarkwa Bay LADOL Free zone which was virgin land mass.

The investment led to the creation of an independent entity, Samsung Yard (SHI-MCI FZE) in LADOL Freezone Tarkwa Bay. Total’s Egina FPSO was built by Korea-based Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), with LADOL acting as the local content partner.

The idea is to accelerate the pace of technology transfer by training Nigerian employees (over 410,000 hours in all). This win-win situation should enable Total and Nigeria to productively pursue a partnership that began more than 50 years ago.”

The FPSO, operated by Total, is 330 meters in length, 61 meters across and 34 meters high, with a storage capacity of 2.3 million barrels of oil. Located some 130 km off the coast of Nigeria at water depths of more than 1,500 metres, the Egina oil field is one of our most ambitious ultra-deep offshore projects. The capital expenditure (Capex) for the six packages in the oilfield development is $16 billion, out of which $3.3 billion is earmarked for building the FPSO.

The Deputy Managing Director of Total E&P in charge of Deepwater District, Mr. Ahmadu-Kida Musa has also said that Egina was the company’s next deepwater field in development phase after the discovery in 2003 and the signing of the Final Investment Decision (FID) in 2013.

Out of these fourteen FPSOs, five were built for giant deep offshore oil fields – Shell’s Bonga, ExxonMobil’s Erha, Chevron’s Agbami and Total’s Akpo and Usan fields, all located several kilometres offshore, in water depths ranging from 200 metres to 1.2 kilometre. Total's Egina FPSO is the largest and the first FPSO to be fabricated and integrated locally in Nigeria, and across the African continent.

Mr. Ahmadu further explained that the company’s target is to produce 200,000 barrels per day of crude oil from the Egina by 2018. He said the development of Egina by Total and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) at a critical time when most other companies were not willing to invest was a demonstration of Total’s boldness.

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Total upstream companies in Nigeria, Mr. Nicolas Terraz, said that the Egina FPSO would boost the country’s daily oil production by 200,000 barrels from 2018. The additional barrels would come from the company’s multi-billion dollar Egina Field Development.

According to him, for Total to embark on such $16 billion project when other companies were not willing, showed the company was confident in Nigeria’s operating environment. Mr. Ahmadu had also stated that a lot of the fabrication work for Egina field, which is located two kilometers into the waters, had been completed bySaipem, Nestoil, Nigerdock, Dorman Long and Aveon.

“The company is at present along the value chain from upstream to the downstream sector where Total is a leader, with close to 550 service stations across the length and breadth of Nigeria. In the last five years, the Total Group has invested US$10 billion in the Nigerian oil and gas sector. Today, we have expertise and strong positions in the onshore, offshore and deep offshore. The industry was facing a shakeout, as oil price is still low, and the economy is recovering from recession,” Mr. Nicolas said

Major driver for fabrication and integration of Egina FPSO: Total’s Egina FPSO project is under the Nigerian local content regulations, and a portion of the topsides fabrication and integration is to be completed in Nigeria. And, the remaining topside module integration and commissioning will take place in Nigeria for scheduled delivery in the second half of 2018.

Jean-Michel Guy, Executive General Manager of the Egina project, said that the Egina FPSO is one of the deepest offshore projects ever operated by Total. He adds: “Egina is a flagship project for Total, and it is above all a Nigerian project. At Total, our commitment to our host countries is one of the keys to our success. We have taken up the ambitious challenge of playing a role in sustainable developing the local industrial fabric by bringing together international companies and local contractors.

All the FPSOs operating in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry currently were built and integrated in foreign yards, denying Nigeria the huge benefits of growing her Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through incountry domiciliation of the huge expenditure, and local capacity development, as well as job creation. But with the signing into law, the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act on April 22, 2010 by former

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The local fabrication and integration of the Egina FPSO will boost technology transfer and the development of indigenous manpower and facilities, as evidenced in the construction of the Samsung Yard and the training of Nigerian technicians, engineers and other professionals by SHI. The yard has already provided 1,200 employment opportunities in the areas of welding, fitting and other support services; while the cascade effect outside the yard will generate huge jobs over the coming years.

The Local Fabrication and Integration of the Egina FPSO in Samsung yard has helped Nigerians to build more local capacity in increasingly challenging skills. By executing these jobs locally, the funds that could have left the shores of Nigeria for financing the fabrication in foreign yards are retained in the Nigerian economy.

Apart from Nigerians acquiring new skills set in the oil and gas sector, the execution of the project locally also contributed to Nigeria’s GDP. Being the first fabrication and integration facility in Africa, the Samsung Yard (SHI-MCI FZE) will position Nigeria to become the hub of oil and gas business and shipbuilding in the continent as all future FPSOs in the Gulf of Guinea will be fabricated and integrated in Nigeria.

During the arrival, the FPSO will be moored at the Total operated Egina oil field, located some 130 km off the coast of Nigeria at water depths of more than 1,500 meters. Apart from the FPSO, infrastructure on the field will consist of an oil offloading terminal, and subsea production systems that will include 52 kilometers of oil and water injection flowlines, 12 flexible jumpers, 20 kilometers of gas export pipelines, 80 kilometers of umbilicals, and subsea manifolds.

SHI has now completed delivery of three massive offshore projects which are: the Ichthys CPF, the world’s largest floating gas processing facility, delivered in April and Prelude FLNG, the world’s largest FLNG, left Geoje in June and the Total’s Egina FPSO which is heading to Nigeria.

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THESOLARFUTURE

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MEDIA TOUR

Capacity Building: ExxonMobil Trains Nigerian Graduates To Acquire Oil & Gas Skills

By Ndubuisi Micheal Obineme

ExxonMobil is achieving industry-leading support throughout Nigeria by maintaining a focus, contributing to Nigerian local content in a way of providing technical training to Nigerian graduates.

The company continues to advance its local content portfolio, building upon attractive longer-term opportunities in Nigeria.

As part of its continued efforts towards local content development in Nigeria, ExxonMobil hosted a site visit for the Nigerian oil and gas professionals that attended the Practical Nigerian Content 2017 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Oil and Gas Republic Publication was among the accredited media with exclusive right to do an extensive coverage at ExxonMobil’s training centre in Eket, Akwa Ibom State.

Over 700 candidates has graduated from the program, currently have about 40 students admitted to various discipline. The candidates are trained for about 20 month, 30 percent classroom and 70 percent practical training.

There are about nine classrooms fully equipped, five specific classrooms for apprentice programs, workshop centre, three simulation centre for offshore operations.

There is also a laboratory classroom used for practical works and assignments.

The programs is open to applicants with ordinary National Diploma (ND) from polytechnics, College of Technology.

The admission process is very transparent as qualified candidates are usually selected nationwide through screening at ExxonMobil’s centres in Lagos and Uyo.

The program is divided into three phases. The first phase usually last up to 8 months, the second phase comprises various discipline, candidates are divided into four groups which includes the electrical, mechanical, process and instrumentation. While, the third phase is the continuation of the discipline with the final examination added to it.

After the completion of the program, ExxonMobil awards each candidate with a certificate of completion, City & Guilds Level 4.

ExxonMobil is on track to energize local content and human capacity development in Nigeria. The company is also enhancing resource value through practical training and optimization of technology application in Nigeria.

Over 10 years, ExxonMobil has been providing technical programs to Nigerian graduates looking to explore career opportunities in the oil and gas industry. Recent report shows that 85 percent of the candidates that graduated from the training Centre are fully employed in various oil and gas positions and some candidates have traveled out of Nigeria to explore international job opportunities in Europe, Canada and beyond.

ExxonMobil’s Training Centre in Eket maintains a leading position in capacity building in the Nigerian energy industry. The company offers an internationally recognized certification on Mechanical Engineering, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Petroleum Engineering and Chemical Engineering which covers the technical and technological areas of the energy industry. The training centre is known to be the first of its kind in Nigeria as it also features oil and gas facilities used for various tasks such as offshore operation.

According to the company’s report, one of the candidates that graduated from the program has been employed in a multinational oil company in Houston as a design engineer.

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page 10

INDUSTRY NEWS

Chevron’s Accompliments, Commitment in the Nigerian Mining Sector

C

hevron is one of the largest oil producers in Nigeria and one of its largest investors. The company is committed to the Nigerian government’s policy on local content development as it fosters strong business partnerships with local service providers and product suppliers and works to increase their professional capabilities.

Chevron plays an active role in the Nigerian Solid Minerals Sector, working closely with the Association of Miners and Producers of Barite (AMAPOB) since 2016.

In a bid to support local miners of Barites, Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), donated barite equipment worth $1.284m to the members of the AMAPOB in Gboko, Benue State.

According to Chevron's General Manager Nigerian Content Development, Mr. Olusoga Oduselu, said that the equipment was to ensure value creation and sustainable economic growth that align with the Nigerian Federal Government’s aspiration in local content development with the aim to increasing incountry capability and providing a strategic framework for increasing the Nigerian Content component of goods and services that are needed to support oil and gas operations and capital projects in Nigeria, and sustain economic growth.

Mr. Olusoga also noted that in addition to the equipment donation, the intervention would also involve the provision of

enhanced training for the members of AMAPOB, to enable the association use the equipment to its full potential.

Mr. Olusoga also said that as part of the commitment of Chevron to capacity development initiative obligation on local barite production and patronage of local industry, the company has purchased local Barites directly from Association of Miners and Producers of Barite (AMAPOB) members including a 700MT purchase orders awarded to Qualchem Nigeria Limited and the procurement of equipment worth $1.2 million to support local miners.

Vice President of AMAPOD, Mr. Mike Mku described the initiative as a model of economic diversification as mining is another area of creating job opportunities for youths in the country and he appreciated Chevron for donating the equipment.

Engineer Omorede Oviasu, General Manager, Capacity Building, NCDMB, expressed the importance of the donation, saying, that it will reduce the importation of barite considerably, and also improve quality control.

Engineer Omorede further explained that it will also create jobs for the people of Benue State. He concluded by thanking Chevron Nigeria Limited for its continued support to the initiative over the years and hopefully to see other International Oil Companies (IOCs) join in these efforts as CNL has done.

The items donated include: 1 Sinotruk 6X4 Tractor Low-bed 1 Komatsu Wheel Loader: WA380-5 1 Komatsu Dozer: D85Ex-15R 1 Compressor & Jack Hammer 1 Komatsu Excavator: PC300-8 1 Mobile Laboratory equipment 2 Sinotrk 6X4 Dump truck 1 Toyota Corolla 1 Toyota Hilux van Benue State Government through his Commissioner for Works, Engineer Emmanuel Manger, harped on the need for proper maintenance of the equipment by AMAPOB. He also acknowledged the worth of what is being donated from Chevron as he described it as a needed incentive to enhance mining activities in the country.

In his words, he thanked Chevron and partners for their efforts and also use the medium to call on private investors to key into the Federal Governments initiative of developing the mining sector to create employment.

NIPS 2018: Chevron receives two prestigious awards

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hevron Nigeria Limited, (CNL), received two oil & gas prestigious award at the Nigerian International Petroleum Summit (NIPS) held in Abuja on from February 19th 23rd, 2018, hosted by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

CNL received two awards namely; “Top domestic gas producer in 2016/2017” and “The best Performing Upstream International Company in Social Contribution for 2016/2017.”

The award certificates and plaques were presented to CNL at a dinner event held at the Conference Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja, and witnessed by many industry professionals, dignitaries including the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, representatives of the NNPC and industry regulators, participants from other African countries and other industry players.

The awards were separately presented by the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and the Chief Financial Officer of the NNPC, Isiaka Abdulrazaq, who represented the Group Managing Director, NNPC, Engr. Maikanti Baru.

Chief Financial Officer of the NNPC, Isiaka Abdulrazaq, and, the General Manager Policy, Government and Public Affairs, CNL, Mr. Esimaje Brikinn.

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The General Manager Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr. Esimaje Brikinn received the award on behalf of CNL.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Nigeria set to host International Conference on Lead Poisoning in June 2018 which has necessitated the need for workable safer mining programmes to prevent reoccurrence”, the Minister added.

The Minister stated that the inaugurated LOC, a 14member committee with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Abdulkadir Mu’azu and Paul Arumah, Head of mission, MSF as co-chairs, are tasked with many responsibilities, including: Execute planning, organization and implementation of the conference; work out the conference content as well as form Technical subcommittee to develop invitation and time table to ensure that local, national, international and interdisciplinary perspectives are adequately represented.

Other memebers of the committee include Project Coordinator, Mindiver, Executive Secretary Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), five directors from the Ministry, Representatives of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Health, Labour, UNIDO, WHO, Global Rights, representatives of the governments of Zamfara and Niger states and the Nigerian Immigration Service.

The minister urged them to devote their utmost attention and energy to ensure that the objectives of the conference are realized.

The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development has inaugurated the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the hosting of the second International Conference on Lead poisoning associated with Artisanal and Small -Scale Mining in the country.

The conference which will draw participants from different mining nations is scheduled for June and it will focus specifically on prevention.

Participants would include local and International experts with diverse areas of specialization to contribute to finding relevant solutions to the multi-sectoral nature of lead poisoning in Nigeria.

The Minister of State for Mines and steel Development, Hon Abubakar Bawa Bwari, while speaking at the event said, drew attention to the sad and unprecedented outbreak

of lead poisoning which occurred in Zamfara State in 2010, with about 500 casualties, mainly children.

He stated that the cause of the ugly incident was attributed to the activities of Artisinal gold miners in the area who employed unwholesome gold ore processing methods at homes and village squares where children become exposed to lead laden dusts.

Hon Abubakar said it took a combined efforts of different international agencies, including the Medecins San Frontires (MSF), the United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, World health Organisation (WHO), TerraGraphics Engineering, the government of Zamfara State and the Federal Government of Nigeria to curb the incident.

“It has been discovered that recontamination of previously remediated areas is going on at present. This is coupled with the growing cases of children not responding to treatment

Earlier, the Director of Artisanal and Small Scale Mining , Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Mr Patrick Ojeka, disclosed that the the federal government in collaboration with Zamfara and Niger State governments, MSF and other international bodies have carried out an intervention programme that mitigated the escalation of led poisoning in the country.

He said MFS has established a pilot project in collaboration with the Ministry to focus on the prevention of the re-occurrence of the problem in the country.

The permanent Secretary and co-chair of the committee, Dr Abdulkadir Muazu in his speech, said that led poisoning is preventable adding that the committee will ensure that the objectives of the international conference on lead poisoning are achieved.

Head of MSF, Mr Philip Aruna, who is also a co-chair of the committee, said he has been working with the Ministry from the onset of the problem to address lead poisoning, adding that prevention remained the sure way forward in addressing lead poisoning in Nigeria.

FG targets $5 billion investments in Nigeria’s mining sector The Nigerian Government is targeting $5 billion naira in mining investments over the next 10 years under a new industry roadmap, as part of a broader drive to diversify revenue sources away from non-oil sectors.

In an exclusive interview with Mr. Aminu Suleman Takuma, Deputy Director Co-ordinator, Zonal Officies, State Co-ordination Department, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC).

Mr. Suleman said Nigeria has a variety of mineral deposits creating a basket of as yet undeveloed reserves across the country ranging from Tin, Columbite, Coal, Barite, Bentonite, Gold, Bitument, Limestone, Iron Ore, Tantalite, Granite, Gemstones, Lead, Silver, Lithium, Gypsum, Marble etc...

Speaking further, Mr. Suleman said the recently unveiled roadmap maintains the three year tax holidays, as well as exemptions on import duties for mining equipment incentives first implemented under the previous administration, but re-authorized in the new roadmap.

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The Government would continue to allow 100% foreign ownership in the sector.

"The roadmap also stipulates the creation of a new independent regulatory agency, which will assume the collective roles of the existing regulatory bodies in the sector, including the Inspectorate, Environmental Compliance and the Artisans and Small Scale Units of the ministry. This in turn will allow the MMSD to focus on facilitating investment and development," he added According to him, plans are also underway to make more funds available for investors, with the Federal Executive Countive approving a N30 million ($98,522) mining intervention fund in previous year in mid-october. In addition, the party state-owned Bank of Industry has pledged to increase financing sector.

He further explained that mining companies in Nigeria are required to have a community development program, as well as local consent in order to obtain a mining license, in part to ensure local communities benefit from nearby mining operations.

The new roadmap focuses on working with communities to encourage financial participation and develop educational opportunities as part of the plan's short and long-term goals.

He also said that Nigeria which derives about 13% of its GDP from crudeoil production has been affected by sustained low global oil prices, with the IMF forecasting a 1.8% economic contraction for 2017, the first full year decline since 1991 resulting in a push to diversify revenue sources.

Nigeria is looking to expand the base of its mining sector on the back of new finds, such as the nickel deposit in Kaduna state, which the government predicts could create $400 billion in revenue.

MMSD estimates that there are 44 different types of minerals identified in 500 locations across the country.

Limestone reserves in the south-west are about 31 million tones while iron ore reserves are estimated at just over 880 million tones.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Non-Oil Sector Solution to Challenges in HydroCarbon Industry – Fayemi

By Obineme Ndubuisi Micheal

Nigeria's Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has said the non-oil sector was Nigeria’s way out of the challenges in the hydro-carbon industry.

Dr. Kayode Fayemi made the statement during the inauguration of OFL Marble and Granite Limited at Afo in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State.

He said the importance of solid mineral in the country could not be over-emphasised.

He said: “Every year in Nigeria, we consume about four million bit square metres of granite and marble which is utilized by construction factories and various consumers.

“Only about half a million granite and marble is produced locally, so we import 3.5 million metres of dimension stones like this from China, Italy, Spain, etc.

“What is produced locally here, if it’s not better than what is gotten from China and others, it will compete favorably with them.”

The minister said that the people of the community would be employed; transport business would improve, while the state could utilise what was produced when the company was in full production.

Earlier, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State said that the project was a great one which would benefit the people of the state and Nigeria in general.

He explained that Ondo State was blessed with so many mineral resources while many of the resources were at different stages of exploration and extraction.

Akeredolu said: “We are making serious efforts to be sure we will explore bitumen in the next 12 months for the benefit of Ondo State and Nigeria in general.”

Akeredolu further said Nigeria had a very stable political atmosphere and his administration was committed to create an enabling business environment. He said: “We are prepared to collaborate with the private sector to boost the economic development of the state.”

Also, Makoji Adilzu, Managing Director, OFL Marble and Granite Ltd, said the company had spent seven months in the community.

He said the company had the capacity to produce 1.5 million square metres of granite annually, which made it the biggest in Africa.

Top Seven Solid Minerals Ready for Investment in Nigeria

By Tobi Owoyimika There are seven 7 strategic solid minerals that are being prioritized and promoted for private sector participation and investment by the Federal Government of Nigeria. The selected solid minerals are gold, coal, bitumen, limestone, iron ore, lead/zinc and barytes.

1. GOLD: There are proven reserves of both alluvial and primary deposits of gold in commercial quantities spread across several parts of suprascrustal (schist) belts -in Maru, Anka, Malele, Tsohon Birnin, Gwarikwaga, Gurmana, Bin Yauri, Okolom-Dogondaji and Iperindo areas - in the northwest and southwest of Nigeria. There are also a number of smaller occurrences beyond these major areas.

2. COAL: Nigerian Coal is one of the most bituminous in the world owing to its low sulfur and ash content, as well as, environmental friendly. There are nearly 3billion tonnes of indicated reserves in 17 identified coalfields and over 600 million tonnes of proven reserves. In short, there is an abundant coal deposit in the country to power the coal-power plants

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that can contribute up to 30 per cent to the nation’s power generation by year 2020.

billion tonnes of iron ore found in Kogi, Enugu, Niger, Zamfara and Kaduna States for possible manufacturing of iron and steel.

3. BITUMEN: The occurrence of Bitumen deposits in Nigeria is indicated at about 42 billion tonnes almost as twice the amount of existing reserves of crude petroleum. When fully developed, the industry will no doubt meet local requirements for road construction and also become a foreign exchange earner for the country.

6. LEAD/ZINC: An estimated 10 million tonnes of lead/zinc veins are spread over eight States in Nigeria.

Joint venture partners are encouraged to develop and exploit the various lead/zinc deposits all over the country.

4. LIMESTONE: Limestone occurrences are reported in almost all the 36 States of the Federation with extensive deposits in Sokoto, Gombe, Benue, Kogi, Edo, Oyo, Ogun and Cross River States These deposits are supporting active lime and cement plants in the country. The resource base of the known limestone deposits is about 2.3 trillion metric tonnes with 568 million tonnes of proven reserves.

7. BARYTE AND BENTONITE: The Nigerian baryte had specific gravity of about 4.3. There is an estimated reserve of over two million {2,000,000} metric tonnes of barite ore scattered in different parts of the country; especially in Benue, Nassarrawa, Plateau and Cross River States. Similarly, over 7.5 million tons of baryte have been identified in Taraba and Bauchi States. Large bentonite reserves of 700 million tonnes are available in many States of the Federation and are available for massive development and exploitation.

5. IRON ORE: Nigeria currently has the 12th largest iron orereserves in the world. There are over three (3)

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WOMEN IN MINING

VIEWPOINT Hon Janet Adeyemi, President of Women in Mining, Nigeria.

Women in Mining provides sensitisation of young graduates to the mining sector

'CSR and CSI are intertwined for successful mining operations’ - Hon Janet Adeyemi Hon Janet Adeyemi Febisola is President of Women in Mining, Nigeria and also founder of Succour for battered lives, SUBATEL, a charity organisation fending for victimes from avalanche of disasters. She earned degress in geology and engineering. She is registered member of council for the regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN, a member of Association of consulting engineers in Nigeria, ACEN, and Fellow of Nigeria Mining and Geosciences Society. She has served in various capacities of the legislature as a member of House of Representatives and the executive. She is very passionate about sustainable mining.

Hon. Engr. (Mrs.) J.F. Adeyemi has served as a public servant in various capacities including as a Honorable member of the Federal House of Representative between 1999 through 2003, Special Assistant to the President on Assembly Matters, Chairman on the Board of the Cocoa Processing Industry, Executive Board Member of Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) amongst several other advisory committees.

She is a Researcher and Advocate for global best practices in Public Private Partnerships (PPP) transactions to accelerate infrastructure development in emerging markets. She has over 40 years of lifelong experiences at the frontline of environmental, water resources management, and engineering works. She also has 25 years of high level experience in the legislative, political, humanitarian and public affairs both home and abroad.

A registered professional engineer with political acumen and a burning desire to contribute as a public servant to the development of our blessed country – Nigeria. She possess a lifelong career with a mission to be part of a team enabling Nigeria to achieve its rightful position as a key player amongst comity of industrialized nations. She is well-respected for integrity, ethical behavior, excellence and political judgment in public service and professional career. She is an ardent enabler of systematic solutions to attain specific goals in a timely, accountable and measurable fashion as prescribed in the national agenda.

In this article, Hon Janet explained how CSR and CSI are important for a successful mining operations in Nigeria.

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President of Women in Mining, Nigeria, Hon Janet Adeyemi has said that 'Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Corporate Social Investment (CSI) are intertwined for successful mining operations.

Women in Mining (WIMIN) are involved in advocacy, sensitisation and promotion of the relevance of women in the industry which has taken us around all the mining destinations in the country.

She disclosed it to newsmen during an exclusive interview at the Mining Week in Abuja.

WIMIN works in collaboration with various global organizations as well as with Nigerian governmental bodies at the Federal, State and Local levels in order to meet the industrial, educative and financial requirements of the organization.

According to her, CSR and CSI are intertwined for successful mining operations. Corporate investors must be committed to building the capacities of their host communities and encourage them to invest proceeds from them. Only then can such corporation thrive in peaceful domain.

"They must be committed to utilise best international mining procedures which prevents crisis to advance their business. They must be committed to ensuring that mining adds value to the lives of the host community not induce poverty and disease," she added She also said that Mining is no longer an alternative; it should take the main stage in our national discourse knowing that the green technology revolution is pushing hydrocarbon to the background. She adds: "Cashew will soon displace the cost of oil. Nigeria Mining Sector can be a major contributor to GDP and job employment if well managed through a transparent system" She said Women in the mining sector are faced with several challenges, which are; Acceptability as stakeholders Low perception Lack of funds, skills etc.

Processing of titles cumbersome for most to follow Poor wages for those working as labourers etc...

She also highlighted some key elements that will take Nigerian Mining Sector to the next level, namely; The framework must be amended to make it investor friendly.

The conflict between surface rights and mineral right must be well defined. So too the Land Use Act 1978 sec 28 on the priority use of land and overriding interest.

The mining cadastre office should be open completely to public scrutiny and run virtually based on ICT. Access to funds crucial etc.

The World Bank, the Ministry of Solid Minerals and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs are great examples of organizations with active working relationships with WIMIN. WIMIN also collaborates with other WIMIN in mining chapters worldwide and areactive participants in International Women in Mining activities.

WIMIN Mission is to be a dependable and trusted ally of women in the industry by contributing to their growth, competence and optimum development through initiatives that promotes gender mainstreaming. It is the Mission of WIMIN through cooperation with other successful international chapters ensure that Nigeria local chapter evolve into a strong mining destination They are also involved in the following projects: Appraisal of the impacts of mining in the rusty mining of Jo's.

Bseline studies on the status of women in the sector in collaboration with Vividrain, sponsored by OSIWA through the Ministty of Mines and Steel.

Sensitisation of young graduates to the sector through mentoring etc.

Crowd funding to run lead zinc extraction in Tarabas still on-going.

WIMIN works in collaboration with various global organizations as well as with Nigerian governmental bodies at the Federal, State and Local levels in order to meet the industrial, educative and financial requirements of the organization.

The World Bank, the Ministry of Solid Minerals and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs are great examples of organizations with active working relationships with WIMIN. WIMIN also collaborates with other WIMIN in mining chapters worldwide and areactive participants in International Women in Mining activities.

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LOCAL MINING CONTENT NEWS

Minelab Manufactures Metal Detectors for Artisanal Miners

NIMET, UBIMET Collaborate to Develop Meteorological Solutions for the Mining Sector

Minelab MEA General Trading LLC, is a Dubai based company that distributes handheld metal detectors to Artisanal Gold Mining Communities throughout Africa and the Middle East for its parent company, Minelab Electronics Pty Limited (Minelab).

Minelab is an Australia company that is recognised as the world's leading developer and manufacturer of metal detectors for Artisanal Gold Mining.

Christopher Higgins, International Business Manager at Minelab Metal Detectors says: "Minelab has been supplying metal detectors in Africa for over 15 years and we have a close understanding of the needs of artisanal gold mining communities throughout the continent "We have built strong group of Distributors and Dealers, who support our End Users with training and after sales support. Our own Business Development Managers and Technical Staff travel regularly to the region to support our Distributors and Dealers, and build their capacity to support our End Users," He added Metal detectors enable Artisanal Miners to find gold more effectively and efficiently, while reducing the impact of mining activities on the environment, as there is no requirement for the use of harmful substances such as cyanide and mercury.

Mining with detectors is generally done on the surface, which means that there is less impact through excavation and less risk to the miners themselves. He adds: "We witness the positive impact of our products on the livelihoods and wellbeign of Artisanal Mining Communities in most of the locations that we operate in."

"We recently learned about the World Bank financed project to support Nigeria's mining sector and we interested to explore how we might get productively involved. We note that a large component of the project will comprise supporting Artisanal Mining Communities by increasing their access to technology. This is an area in which we believe we can play a meaningful role," he added Minelab, with its innovative technologies, is an important resource to artisanal gold miners for the recovery of gold in a cost effective way also reducing the impact on the environment and importantly reducing the risk to the miners own health and safety.

Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and Instiute for Ubiquitous Meteorology (UBIMET) have partnered together in order to develop meteorological solutions specifically tailored for the mining sector. As those involved in mining know, weather can significantly hamper and delay mining operations resulting in decreased production and efficiency. The clear implication is that optimally meshing mine operations to account for shifting weather patterns, can substantially improve sector productivity.

Hence, the timing is ripe for mining companies to adopt the latest strategies and technologies needed to optimize the impact weather can have on mining operations.

Peter Hocking, Meteorologist at UBIMET commented: "Through the collaboration with NIMET and industry, we intend to assist in building meteorological capacity with our customized local weather models and analysis systems."

"Our Weather Cockpit has been used to provide critical weather data to partners such as Formula 1, Frankfurt Airport, the Austrian and German federal railways and PORR, an international construction company. This professional waether application is designed to reduce risk, prevent damage and ensure safety, and accurate lighting data is critical pieces of data for making that happen. The joint expertise of NIMET and UBIMET in this field will be beneficial for everyone in the mining industry," Peter added Peter said that they are currently working on a number of interesting projects across a variety of industries from agriculture to health and aviation. He adds: "Through the collaboration with NIMET and industry, we intend to assist in building meteorological capacity with our customised local weather models and analysis systems."

Peter further explained that educating decision makers about the key role that accurate weather data plays in day to day operations is very important in the mining sector. He adds :Our analysis shows that delays and decreased production due to poor weather can result in millions of dollars lost in revenue per hour. Our solutions mitigate that risk by giving stakeholders timely information in a clear, concise and decisive manner."

"Our vision is to see the realisation of mining companies improving their operational yield and efficiency through accurate, clear and decisive weather data. Our solutions have been proven in Australia and across the commodity sector internationally. We are now bringing these products to Nigeria and Africa.�

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page 15

MINING NEWS

Nigeria, Australia collaborate on policy, capacity building for sustainable mining sector Themed “Policy and Capacity Building Workshop for a Successful and Sustainable Mining Sector 2018”, the workshop will be delivered by two senior officials from the Western Australian Government Department of Mines and Petroleum. Representatives from the Ministry, as well as officials from the 36 state governments was present at the workshop.

The workshop was aimed at exposing participants to the Australian mining operations techniques and international best practices, is a follow up to the earlier one that took place in November 2016.

Objectives of the workshop include provision of information on leading practice from Western Australia on building a sustainable mining sector; build capacity of the ministry staff for the delivery of enhanced mineral exploration and mining regimes.

Others are the promotion of on going education and training in mineral policy governance; fostering of partnerships for knowledge sharing and skills transfer to ensure leading practice across inter-country jurisdiction and sharing of the 120 years of Western Australia’s experience in developing mineral resources industry.

Australia is one of the world’s leading mineral resources nation, the world’s largest refiner of bauxite, fourth largest producer of primary aluminium, the largest producer of gem and industrial diamonds, lead and tantalum, and the mineral sands rutile and zircon; and the third largest producer of gold and iron ore.

T

he Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, in partnership with the Australian High Commission, hosted a policy and capacity building workshop on the mining sector.

The workshop was held in Abuja as it provided information on leading practice from Western Australia on building a

sustainable mining sector.

The aim of the workshop is to build the Nigerian mining and mineral sector’s capacity to deliver enhanced mineral exploration and mining regimes and promote on going education and training in mineral policy governance. It will also foster partnerships for knowledge sharing and skills transfer to ensure leading practice in Nigeria.

Botswana coal industry is ripe for development

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otswana is set to play a bigger role in both the domestic and African coal industries, with emerging coal mining company, Minergy Limited ideally placed to become the supplier of choice to coal consumers across southern Africa.

With coal reserves in Botswana estimated at up to 200 billion tonnes, the country certainly has the resources to meet the growth in demand anticipated across Africa. Furthermore with a supportive government that has a strategic focus on job creation, especially in the coal industry, things are looking optimistic for a country that has traditionally been entrenched in the business of diamonds.

Andre Boje, Chief Executive Officer at Minergy, explains: “Botswana is a highly rated investment destination in Africa, with a long history of political stability and a well-managed and stable economy. The government has been investing in infrastructure, including trans-regional highways, railways and airports and has identified the export of coal as a significant opportunity.”

Speaking at the IHS Markit South African Coal Export Conference, Sadique Kebonang, Botswana’s Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security Minister commented that the government’s approach is to focus on the domestic use and export of coal, as well as the generation of electricity for domestic users.

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He added that new coal export rules, as well as specific government focus on investment and infrastructure are providing new life and growth for the industry in Botswana.

Boje echoes Kebonang’s views on the opportunities for Botswana coal, and is looking to the future, with Minergy expected to start mining coal from its site–a 390Mt (million tonne) opencast, low strip ratio mine in the Mmambula Coalfield, 50km north of Gaborone - in July 2018, with the first saleable coal available in September 2018.

The management team at Minergy has significant mine development and operational experience, with a wide range of expertise in coal and energy markets across Africa and internationally. Boje is joined by CFO Mornédu Plessis, Chairman Mokwena Morulane and three recent appointments, each with considerable experience in the coal industry, has bolstered the team further.

Gabotshwarege Tshekiso, a mechanical engineer with more than three decades of experience in the mining industry, he previously worked as a Director in the Department of Mines, responsible for the Gaborone and Francistown offices. Gabotshwarege was a member of the technical committee of the BCL Limited Board and holds a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering. In addition, Dutch Botes, a mining engineer with over 30 years’ coal mining experience has been appointed as technical advisor, whilst Lynette Kruger joins as

marketing manager, bringing 18 years of coal marketing experience across southern Africa.

Boje continues: “The Masama Coal Project represents an exciting opportunity for the development of a small to medium scale coal mine in Botswana. During the start-up phase of production, we anticipate producing 1.2 million tonnes of coal and will require approximately 300 employees directly and indirectly; as production ramps up, further employment opportunities will be created.

“Although the new government in South Africa has made significant changes to the business landscape, it’s likely to take many years for the investment in coal to result in new coal mines. In 2016, four million tonnes of coal was exported from South Africa to the African continent; this is forecast to rise to 38 million tonnes by 2030 – presenting a significant opportunity for Botswana.”

Following a listing on the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) in April 2017, Minergy now plans to list on the UK’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in the latter part of this year. Listing on AIM will help Minergy to raise long-term equity finance to fund future growth and enable the business to reach its full potential with the Masama Coal Project.

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MINING NEWS

Coal to continue to be leading power generator to developing countries - Andre Boje, CEO of Minergy Limited “Off and on grid renewable energy sources cannot support base load requirements and have been proven unreliable for supply in southern Africa; nuclear energy is prohibitively capital intensive, in Africa significant gas resources are limited to Nigeria and Mozambique, and hydro power is limited by global water shortage.

“I recognise there is a need for renewable energy and investment in this industry, however its success is limited to economically developed countries that can support its infrastructure. Developing nations, such as those in Africa are unable to rely on renewable energy sources. I believe there is space and demand within the industry for both coal and renewable energy sources, each serving different markets.”

Minergy plans to list on AIM in the latter part of 2018, as it looks to raise long-term equity finance to fund future growth and enable Minergy to reach its full potential with the Masama Coal Project - a 390Mt (million tonne) opencast, low strip ratio mine in the Mmambula Coalfield, in south west Botswana, 50km north of Gaborone.

Botswana is typically known for its mineral mining industries, but it also has a significant role to play in the seaborne thermal coal market, due to its large, untapped coal resources. Its close proximity to the South African coal export infrastructure, and the high demand for coal in southern Africa, creates an opportunity for Minergy to meet this demand and gain traction in the market.

Andre Boje

A

ndre Boje, CEO of Minergy Limited, has said that coal will continue to be leading power generator to developing countries.

energy and nuclear power are the world's fastest growing forms of energy, fossil fuels are expected to continue to meet much of the world's energy demand through to 2040.

Coal currently fuels 41% of the world's electricity with usage expected to remain at similar levels over the next 30 years, and with coal prices on the up and a high demand for coal in southern Africa, Boje is passionate in ensuring coal is not overlooked in the ever increasing competitive energies market.

Although a champion for coal, Boje does not see renewables as the enemy, and with cleaner coal technologies, such as high efficiency low emission (HELE) coal technologies that are proven to reduce CO2 emissions from coal by up to 35%, there is evidence to suggest that coal will continue to be one of the main energy providers, particularly in developing nations.

Boje said: “Coal is here to stay for the foreseeable future. There is high demand for coal in southern Africa, and it is likely to remain the most affordable fuel for power generation in many developing and industrialized countries for decades.

“Years of little or no investment in new coal projects has limited supply, yet demand for coal in the southern African region continues to increase, with prices escalating on an ongoing basis.

The API4 index price for seaborne thermal coal for export has risen considerably, currently trading at $97 per tonne, an increase of 98% from 2016. Although prices are expected to steady to around $80 per tonne in the next five years, there are significant growth and investment opportunities in the industry.”

In December 2017, the International Energy Agency forecast that world demand for coal would reach 5.5 billion tonnes in 2022, up from 5.3 billion tonnes in 2016, and cites that although renewable

“The coal industry takes its impact on the environment seriously and has developed, and continues to develop, highly effective technologies to tackle environmental challenges, including the release of pollutants. Producing energy invariably leads to s ome degree of environmental impact, and it is important that we balance concerns for the environment with priorities for economic and social development.

“Putting that into context, it is alarming to consider that 620 million Africans still rely on firewood, kerosene and charcoal for cooking, heating and lighting, which consequently causes 600,000 premature deaths annually, that's 1,634 deaths per day as a result of illnesses caused by indoor air pollution. The high usage of firewood and charcoal is also leading to alarming deforestation - Zambia alone loses 250,000 hectares annually.

It's not just Botswana that is seeing the resurgence of coal mining. There are 1,600 coal fired power plants either being planned or under construction in 62 countries which will, without older plant decommissioning, expand the world's coal - fired capacity by 43%. 100 of these coal fired power plants are in various stages of planning and construction in 11 African countries (excluding South Africa). Once in production, these plants will have a combined capacity of 42.5GW -eight times the region's current capacity.

Boje concluded: “As a low cost energy producer, coal, despite its detractors and environmental concerns, makes for an attractive short-to-medium investment case. The availability of coal in developing countries is vital to achieving high rates of electrification, and with 92% of South Africa relying on coal for its electricity supply, the Masama Coal Project represents an exciting opportunity for the development of small to medium scale coal mines in Botswana.”

Minergy Limited, Andre Boje is a Botswana-based emerging coal mining company. Minergy owns 100% of the Masama Coal Project with the potential to produce 2.4 Mtpa (metric tonnes per annum) of coal within a year of opening. The company will focus on delivering high quality coal to the regional market, including Botswana and South Africa, and entering the international seaborne thermal coal export market.

Cummins powers 80% of the world's latest mining equipment

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ummins is the mining engine leader, with nearly a century of experience in the mining industry.

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Chrysanthus Ugwuezumba, Territory Manager Engine Business/Life Coach at Cummins Nigeria says: "Our worldwide presence and comprehensive support make cummins a proven, committed mining partner you can depend on every day, from installation to overhaul. Our projects in Nigeria includes; Dangote Obajana, Gboko and Ibese."

"Our trusted product and technology expertise allow us to power 80% of the world's new mining equipment. Infact, more than 28,000 Cummins engines are active in mining operations around the globe, in everything from excavators, drills and haul trucks, to generators and underground equipment," he added

"Right equipment, right support, maximum uptime is critical in the mining industry and Cummins backs you up with the support you need on every engine

Cummins have a network of more than 600 companyowned and independent distributor locations in approximately 190 countries and territories stands ready to provide immediate parts and service availability, 1,000 support engines to minimize downtime, and the best warranty in the business.

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MINING NEWS

Gbenga Ojo: “Nigerian mining companies do not need to travel around the world any longer in search of the best technical services” According to him, Afromin have also obtained mandates to seek technical partners and funding’s for some strategic projects in Nigeria. He adds: “In addition, we are excited to have sold two modular gold processing plants to an exploration company and a small scale mining firm in Nigeria. The modular plants are products of Appropriate Processing Technologies, South Africa, for which Afromin has a sole distribution right in Nigeria and some other West Africa countries.”

Afromin’s vision for the mining sector in Nigeria is to become the leading techno-economic mining consulting firm in Nigeria, which will provide tailor made services to its clients that are aimed at positioning these firms to be globally competitive or alternatively to be positioned to guarantee good returns to their shareholders.

Gbenga Ojo

A

fromin Consulting Limited is a a techno-economic mining consulting firm established in March 2017, and based in South Africa and Nigeria.

Gbenga Ojo, Managing Partner, Afromin Consulting Limited commented: “We have a vision of providing a one stop comprehensive solution for government and mining/exploration companies in Africa. As a company, we seek to provide tailor made innovative solutions and services to our clients, taking into consideration the need to provide good returns to shareholders, whilst ensuring that each project is explored, developed or operated in a manner compliant with its host country’s mineral laws and policies.”

The company’s vision is motivated by its knowledge of global best practices, the uniqueness of doing business in Africa, and relationship with minerals and mining companies, governments, industry service providers, banks and financial institutions globally, but particularly in Africa.

“In addition, we intend to contribute in facilitating skill transfer between our staff team, most of whom are currently non Nigerians, but are willing to ensure Nigerians are trained for the sustainability of this sector in the years ahead

Afromin is of the opinion that there are three key challenges forcing the Nigeria mining sector from moving to the next level. These are namely, capacity building, funding and unrealistic expectations of asset owners. In Afromin’s opinion, this problem is also a reflection of the lack of local capacity/expertise in the industry.

Afromin believes that the need for capacity building is largely underestimated by stakeholders in the industry and there seems to be a greater focus on capital raising. The danger is that indigenous companies are positioning themselves as deal facilitators and commodity traders rather than industry experts, a position that is not sustainable for any government serious about the development of any sector, particularly a strategic sector like the mining sector.

From experience, Afromin has also realized that because of the lack of adequate knowledge of the global best practice, most asset owners do not seem to understand the actual value of their minerals assets. For more often than not, these assets are overvalued. The situation has led to asset owners demanding unrealistic value from investors willing to invest in their projects.

Since its establishment, Afromin has been able to position itself as a respected mining advisory firm in Nigeria, having being appointed as a technical advisor and technical partner on

“Nigerian companies do not need to travel around the world any longer in search of the best technical services, Afromin is here to provide a tailor made technical service to serious companies that are

“We must acknowledge the big strides achieved by the current leadership of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development” – SBOG CEO

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he Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, SBOG Nigeria, Oluwaseun Olatunji, has said that The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development of Nigeria has successfully reinvented itself in the area of information dissemination via e-channels in contrast to the previous singular method (print media). This has helped incident reporting.

According to SBOG Nigeria CEO “It is our desire to see results emanate from the inaugurated solid minerals development fund board as regards the management and operationalization of the DFI funding provisions for the sector. In order to achieve the 2025 target set for the mining sector’s contribution to GDP; the efforts by the Federal Government requires a complimentary disposition from the state governments, otherwise the rapid development required to jolt the industry forward will remain elusive.”

He further explained that the sector has seen very small scale businesses both in the upstream mining operations and downstream export end of the value chain close down business as a result of the extremely harsh operating environment.

Operators of tenements just cannot find the resources and infrastructural support they need to run their mines.

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The debilitating effect of a sector without intelligent data is obvious in the way industry participants slip into a high redundancy. This unpleasant trend needs be addressed with every means possible. As it were, the rhetoric from government about illegal mining needs be addressed via the strengthening of the various state mines offices with necessary tools to curb the menace.

He continues: “We must acknowledge the big strides achieved by the current leadership of the Ministry of Mines and Steel development.

They have been able to create a clear blueprint/vision for the sector through the mining roadmap. We have seen great improvements in the way the regulator engages with the operators and this has boosted confidence in the viability of the sector growth. It must be acknowledged also that the sector has recorded double digit growth indices and contributed significantly to the GDP alongside Agriculture. These are indicators of good progress; however we desire to see a more rapid development along the whole mining value chain. This would only be achieved in partnership with investors and the dominant sector participants.”

The attention paid to the steel sector is also commendable but the steel sector needs to be made free of the legal entanglements it is bungled with presently.”

He described the Nigerian Mining as an open sector to all; where entrepreneurs can venture into having performed their due diligence studies of projects and secure the financial support as well as relevant regulatory agencies permits/licenses to operate profitably and responsibly.

In his final words, the government at all levels should be very sensitive to and show empathy to the plights of legitimate mining companies operating within the Nigerian space.

Because raising capital for mining investment is not cheap, therefore no investor with the requisite licenses should be made to wait one day more than is required for permits, license upgrades etc….

He adds: “ A piece of good news is the announcement of a N2.5 billion support for the small scale mining companies, the N30 billion approved for the ministry as well as the $150 million World Bank intervention fund for the sector.

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INTERVIEW

'In Nigeria we have managed to develop a real ‘partnership’ with the Federal Government of Nigeria and we are still working along with some of the States that have higher mining potentials' - Francisco Igualada Since 1958, The World Bank Group has been working in every major area of development, providing a wide array of financial products and technical assistance, and help countries share and apply innovative knowledge and solutions to the challenges they face.

Exclusive Interview with Francisco Igualada, Senior Mining Specialist, Energy and Extractive Industries (GEEDR), World Bank.

OGR: Let’s start with some background on your work at the World Bank?

Francisco Igualada: It is important to note that the Extractive Industries and Energy Department at the World Bank form a Single Global Practice and we are driven by a strategy that is designed to reach four sets of outcomes, which, if achieved, should contribute to attaining the World Bank Group’s twin goals. Those World Bank goals are: 1.

End Extreme Poverty 2.

Promote shared Prosperity.

Therefore, our work at the World Bank is very broad and we try to focus it around revenue maximization and governance, local content and shared infrastructure and skills, social and environmental sustainability and finally how we may contribute to conflict prevention by improving economic conditions.

Clearly, all these aspects are directly linked to a sound and efficient way to develop the mining sector in Nigeria or in any other country that we are requested to support through loans.

These loans are the vehicles for sustaining the country’s development as we are aiming at having fair conditions of repayment as well as to ensure that the right pace of legal, regulatory and economic reforms is creating the right environment ensuring transparency and good environmental and social practices. This sounds very good and interesting but we shouldn’t forget that each country has its specificities and the different mechanisms should adapt to those conditions as for instance we cannot start from the same premises in DRC, Guinea or Nigeria.

However, and above all, one of our main concerns, besides technical aspects is to make sure that institutions are fully capable and governance issues are not going to affect the loan in a negative way.

OGR: Any specific projects in the mining sector that the World Bank is involved in that you are particularly excited about?

Francisco Igualada: The World Bank follows a kind of value chain that brings those countries we support from Nonrenewable resources to a stage in which sustainable development may take place. Each country, has its own idiosyncrasy and characteristics. I am particularly excited about two projects; our critical involvement in DRC in support of the rationalization of the sector through nearly five years as well as my responsibility in managing our recently approved 150 million loan project (MinDiver) for developing the Nigerian mineral sector and diversifying it from its dependency on other sectors like Oil & Gas as H.E. President Buhari has clearly indicated in his inaugural speech; two sectors need continuous development in Nigeria, that are agriculture and mining.

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This is the reason why the Honourable Minister Dr. Kayode Fayemi with his drive and strong determination has led the initiative to put Nigeria “on the African mining map again” as, from my opinion, the country deserves.

From the Bank’s side, I am really looking forward to contribute to transforming their potential resources into some tangible exploration and exploitation mineral projects bringing economic prosperity and jobs. Nigeria is the first African economy and really needs the employment that mining and all types of valuechain including local content can bring.

In addition, we have another very interesting initiative called the Billion dollar map of Africa or AMGI (African Mineral Geoscience Initiative) in which we are developing some pilot projects, supported by the Korean international cooperation and this project is having difficulties in taking off and having some sharp reason why we need as well some donor support to start.

OGR: What in your view are the main challenges to the African mining sector? And Nigeria in particular?

Francisco Igualada: The challenges are often well known though the solutions can vary from country and they constitute the main barriers such as financing since investors lack access to exploration and capital financing and are consequently unable to carry out preliminary work that would attract foreign companies and different types of investors working along the value-chain of the sector. Do not forget that mining is not like other sectors: it is very capital intensive and the lead times are very long from discovery to exploitation. Very often the lack of reliable geoscience data or (geo-data) is another blocking factor. There is a need to have access to pre-competitive geoscience knowledge and geological mapping suitable to identify prospective areas for attracting investors interest and to facilitate the targeting as well as encourage the development of pre-feasibility studies.

This is very important as many junior and mid-tier mining companies are unaware of the full mineral prospective potential of a country, as a result of incomplete coverage of geological mapping, at the required scale, and associated geochemical and geophysical surveys. In Nigeria, we have managed to develop a real ‘partnership’ with the Federal Government of Nigeria and we are still working along with some of the States that have higher mining potentials. I would like to mention that we have a long history of consultative processes and direct engagement starting in 2005 with the SMMRP WB-funded project that establish the frameworks such as legal, fiscal, mining cadaster basic geodata collection, ASM issues and formalization and also important to underline that, in Nigeria, the process has been fully inclusive with the participation of all key actors PS, MMSD DGs, States representatives and civil society. As mentioned, our Bank’s involvement in the country benefits from a broad partnership with other Nigerian and international counterparts.

In addition, our engagement in Nigeria has been designed based

on the “Roadmap for the Growth and Development of the Nigerian Mining Industry” and previous World Bank analytical work.

Our current engagement in the country with the “MinDiver” project that is a lending operation, it can be considered as a “revitalizing program” to meet short (quick wins) and long-term objectives in a technically consistent and sustained way.

I would also like to mention other important challenges such as infrastructure as in most African countries where infrastructure such as roads, rails, and electric power supply is fully inadequate for multi-sector planning to support exploration, mining, and mineral processing activities is a key blocking factor or challenge for developing the sector. Moreover, investors also mention the inadequate master plans for water resource management, and this has become a limiting factor as well. In Nigeria, it is clear that power supply to meet the increasing demands for mineral processing facilities is going to become an “important factor” impacting the sector.

This means that in taking the decision to exploit or not an ore deposit; and such situation needs to be solved in a way that takes into account the interest and expectations of all stakeholders in a balanced and logical way.

Even if Nigeria was a country with a developed mining sector in the 70s and 80s, skills are very reduced in the full range of disciplines related to the mining cycle. Note that this aspect is certainly a common denominator to most African countries.

Thus, we also see the need to improve human resources skills and adequate geological, geophysical, geochemical as well as mining & metallurgy training. There is a shared need as well to enhance the Regulatory aspects that are often complex and cumbersome, related to land acquisition, community relations, equipment importation and various types of issues affecting expatriates. Not less important are the challenges affecting mining sites and Nigeria has a number of abandoned old mining sites in Environmental, social and Health related matters. The aspects related to use of land by artisanal and small scale miners (ASM) are very critical in order to avoid social and health problems. In summary, Africa and Nigeria in particular, are facing similar challenges though its intensity and preponderance show varying levels as each country is certainly different in such a complex sector with such a number of different types of mineral deposits and social issues.

OGR: What is your vision for the sector?

Francisco Igualada: The mining sector as you know is composed from a large number of sub-sectors, even each commodity and type of mineral deposit could conform a subclassification therefore it is very difficult to generalize looking into a uniform sector called just mining. However, I would say that Nigeria has a dormant mineral sector that needs to wake up, in other words ore deposits, old mines and infrastructure are

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INTERVIEW

there but, there is a need to boost the situation now. It is not useful to wait to a higher commodity prices cycle as Nigeria, let’s not forget, will be competing with neighboring countries in west Africa which are already mining destinations per-se, thus we need to get ready before such a time comes. I have some degree of confidence that the commodity cycle will change its current trend, perhaps, in a couple of years from now.

The mineral sector continues to present important levels of volatility non predictability (if I may use this word) not only linked to commodity prices but also related to geopolitical factors in a number of African countries. It is impossible to make some reliable predictions on how the sector will behave in the coming years. However, from my own perspective, I see some signs of “slow recovery” that will be impregnating some specific commodities as some of them are starting to recover its cyclical trend. As fas as, other aspects of the sector, it is showing some gains in terms of legal or regulatory enhancements brining more transparency, as well as more pre-competitive geological knowledge. Even if there is a difficult substitution/replacement in mine sites as no new large mines are in the pipeline so far. I wish I would have a crystal ball.

Finally, I would like to mention that Nigeria has important industrial minerals sub-sector and this is one of the quick wins that we are attempting to develop and where there is room for rapid improvements as Nigeria has already attracted some manufacturers and the linkages downstream could become a key success factor.

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OGR: Which African countries are doing the right things in your opinion?

Francisco Igualada: It is interesting to note the example of Botswana, Namibia, Kenya and Morocco and of course the decisive efforts started by Nigeria in recent times. It is rather difficult to make comparisons as the situation evolves and often there is not much political continuity. Therefore, again, predictability is a “risk-minimizing factor” like socio-political issues. And we shouldn’t forget that the mining sector in Africa pays strong attention to “risk levels” and, of course, the grade and tonnage of deposits because without such conditions it would be totally impossible to move ahead.

“We need to get it right” once for all and this means that a “strong sector foundation” is a must. Afterwards facilitating downstream sector developments and the enhancement of competitiveness need to happen as a logical result. This cannot and shouldn’t be improvised and built on a piece-meal basis.

Consequently, the only way to bring competitiveness…that obviously comes from competing with our external environment. It is by building an integrated approach that would facilitate sharing information and resources with other development donors that are betting on Nigeria as well.

Competing should be both internal and external even if nowadays such distinction is a bit blurred due to globalization of economies.

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Mining without sub-surface knowledge cannot be sustained, thus boosting precompetitive geoscience data and sound deposit valuations is key attract serious investors in Nigeria where geological & mining potentialities are known to exist but no large corporations are present only junior exploration companies.

In my opinion, the extractive sector is a good example of such global reach. Clearly, domestic investment becomes key for building something consistently that will not drive Nigeria to an external dependency. I believe that this requires good planning, good decisions and more importantly, timely actions. I am really confident that the government is making the right decisions in fully supporting the sector so decisively.

My end message is: we need to be able to work, work and work together to consolidate day-by-day all those small steps achieved so far, in sector development. It is important not to be complacent but very demanding in all aspects especially quality of projects outputs.

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lobally, the mining industry has been a close rival to the petroleum industry. Nigeria is richly endowed with a variety of solid minerals of various categories ranging from precious metals to various precious stones and industrial minerals. The Nigerian Extractive Industries and Transparency Initiative (NEITI) reported that there are about 40 different kinds of solid minerals and precious metals buried in Nigerian soil waiting to be exploited.

Nigeria has one of the best quality coal deposits in the world with the lowest sulphur content. The sector offers a viable alternative to petroleum for foreign exchange earnings. The commercial value of Nigeria’s solid minerals has been estimated to run into hundreds of trillions of dollars, with 70 per cent of these buried in the bowels of Northern Nigeria. At least forty four solid minerals are found in commercial quantity and are spread across the 36 States and FCT Abuja . Out of these, seven strategic solid minerals are being prioritized and promoted for private sector participation and investment by the Federal Government of Nigeria. The selected solid minerals are gold, coal, bitumen, limestone, iron ore, lead/zinc and barytes.

This article highlights how the Nigerian Government, mining companies and private investors is exploring the sector to its full potentials and making the mining sector competitive to the petroleum industry.

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In June 2017, the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, partnered Afrocet Montgomery to organise the first ever ‘National Mining Summit’ titled “Unearthing Nigeria’s Mining Sector.”

The event was organized as part of efforts by the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in at diversifying the nation’s economy from the oil to non-oil sectors.

The gathering, is known to be the largest in the history of mining in Nigeria, brought together stakeholders, experts, exhibitors and visitors from the West Africa region, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, Nigeria.

The event, ConMin West Africa, is a private sector-driven event aimed to engaging governments in the sub-region for a practical expression of the ultimate drive to diversify the sub-region’s economic potentials, prospects and opportunities towards growing the Nigerian economy.

Conmin West Africa covers the entire construction industry, machinery, mining and building materials which will also enable foreign investors to gain valuable insight on the opportunities in the West Africa’s market.

ConMin West Africa is not just a networking platform but also a learning arena for existing businesses that want to grow their activities, as well as an avenue for new comers prospecting the Nigerian Mining sector. The event is committed to growing the knowledge assets needed to sustain key reforms in the sector.

The event also comprises an innovative array of workshops and discussions designed to help participants find the perfect match of partners or collaborators, and answers to questions they might have. Covering the entire value chain of the industry, ConMin West Africa seeks to catalyse the Federal Government’s priority agenda of unlocking the mining sector as one of the frontiers of Nigeria's economic diversification agenda.

By Ndubuisi Micheal Obineme Afrocet Montgomery, together with its partners will be organizing the second edition of Conmin West Africa and National Mining Summit in Abuja from 4 - 5 September, 2018.

The event has the full support of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals, the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing and the Miners Association of Nigeria.

With a combined 145 years of experience, Afrocet Montgomery is a joint venture business which specialises in running high-end exhibitions and events in West Africa. Its extensive knowledge and experience of the African market has enabled the company to develop a strong portfolio of shows which cover a wide range of sectors including the building and mining industries. As well as organising South Africa’s biggest building show, Interbuild, Afrocet Montgomery also runs Electra Mining Africa which is one of the world’s largest mining and power exhibitions based in Johannesburg.

Nigeria's minerals and mining sector is still largely underdeveloped despite its glorious past and abundant mineral resources for development, including high value metallic minerals, industrial minerals, and energy minerals.

Afrocet launched Conmin West Africa and National Mining Summit to unlock the region’s potential and growing construction machinery and mining industry as there is no other event in West Africa that offers this kind of platform where key stakeholders, local and international gather to discussing business and growth opportunities in the region.

As the current largest economy in Africa, with a gross domestic product of USD 518 billion, and the biggest producer of crude oil on the continent, Nigeria is an ideal host country for

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ConMin West Africa 2018. Since the collapse of oil prices, Nigeria has introduced certain initiatives and reforms to help diversify the economy, the mining industry in particular has prioritised making use of the country’s other natural resources such as natural gas and coal. As such, Nigeria has plans to invest USD 7 billion over the next ten years to increase the share of the mining sector from 0.3 percent of GDP (2015) to 7 percent.

With over 180 exhibitors, Conmin West Africa features latest machinery and solutions available in the global market place, there is no better platform than ConMin West Africa.

Conmin West Africa usually provides the opportunity for companies to showcase their latest products and services to both regional and international visitors and delegates.The event attracts over 1,500 professional visitors and 44 exhibitors from 11 countries, which included industry giants such as Bosch, Case, Dangote, Elkon and thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions.

Nigeria's Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbanjo, who was the Chief Guest of Honour at the 2017 edition was present to officially open the event, including high-ranking representatives from the Nigerian government.

The Vice President says, “The theme of the conference “Unearthing the Nigeria Mining Sector,” shows that even miners have a sense of humour. But more importantly, it underscores the earth is moving fast before us and the enormous opportunities. Yes, we need to unearth incredible source of these growth and development, for us and for our continent.

He said the event marks another step in the journey towards delivering the Africa Mining Vision, which was adopted by African Heads of States back in 2009 as it aims to explore Africa's enormous mineral resources.

He also describes the event as one that would help change the narrative of Africa, being perceived as a continent where the abundant resources are all about degradation and marginalisation of the host environment.

“For us in Nigeria, ConMin West Africa is also a key step in implementing our Economic Recovering Plan, launched in April, by President Muhammadu Buhari. The mining sector is a priority for the Nigeria government and crucial part of our economic growth and diversification agenda.

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He also said that The President, Muhammadu Buhari, used every opportunity in the last two years to highlight the diversification of vision and the central growth of the mining sector. He adds: "We are all witnesses to the impact of the recent drop in our revenue, resulting mostly from the decline in oil prices. This is so for many countries such as ours that is one commodity-based.

We suffer depletion by eternal reserves, and by extension, resort to our foreign exchange for our businesses, and the economies went into recession. This is the consequence of our over dependency on one commodity.”

Giving what running a mono economy has done to us, there is the urgent need to therefore tap into our abundant mineral resources.

There is therefore no better time to make that long overdue transition from an oil-based economy into truly diversified global competitive one creating thousands of jobs and promoting industrialization in the process,” Prof. Yemi Osinbanjo added.

Providing insight into further plans on how the Buhari administration hopes to actualise this, the Vice President explained that “the Federal Government is determined to achieve this goal for the mining sector in spite of the many legacies that we inherited including the no funding, lack of due geological data, weakness and supervising ministry limited infrastructure , low productivity , limited cooperative federalism, low productivity, illegal mining, weak framework for managing host communities’ difficulties in doing business and protected litigation and legacy asset. “We have started tackling this issue head-on and we are pleased to know that the substantial success we have achieved through the combined effort of the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development and other ministries and agencies of the government.

“We have also secured funding from both domestic and international sources for investment in the solid minerals industry from the public purse. The Ministry of Mines and Steel has been granted access to the mining sector potential of our natural resources development fund for a sum of 360 billion naira approximately a US$100 million and intervention fund from the Federal Government of Nigeria. This is partly to help provide cheap loans and grants to industry participants as well as providing for investments in foundational infrastructure.”

“We are currently working with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, the Nigeria Stock Exchange and others, to

assemble, as we just heard from the Director General Stock Exchange, a US$600million investment fund for the sector.

Internationally, we have secured over US$150 million in funding from the World Bank for the numerous Sector Support for Economy Diversification MSCD OR PED. “This will provide technical assistance for restructuring and operationalisation of the Solid Mineral Development Fund which will make finance available for artisans and small scale mining operators through micro finance and leasing institutions. “Financial investment aside, we are also addressing the challenge of the lack of geological data. The Nigeria Geological Survey Agency is undertaking the additional ground investigation nationwide to operate a national data base so that we can all easily attract financial investment as well as assure operators of the scope of operation required for further exploration and mining.

“We have also signed Memorandum of Understanding and technical cooperation agreement with the China Geological Survey, Shandong Mineral Exploitation Agency and the national office of hydrocarbon of mines of Morocco. Two collaborations are intended to leverage on the expertise and state of the art technologies of those organisations in existing generating investor-friendly geosciences data,” the VP stresses amidst a thundering ovation.

On how the mineral is to fit into the broader economy, the nation’s number two man explains thus: “The recent re-launched of our Economic Recovery Growth Plan targets a 7% growth rate for the Nigeria economy by 2020, but sets a more aggressive growth rate of 8.54% for the mining sector. Our long term goal is to grow the mining sector to GDP by US$27billion in 2025, which is roughly 3% of our current GDP. “This plan is to be realised principally by creating an enabling environment targeting large scale investors to institutionalise world class production standard in the country solid mineral sector.”

“Our long term goal is to grow the mining sector to by US$27billion in 2025, which is roughly 3% of our current GDP” Speaking on how business can flourish in the Nigerian environment, Prof. Yemi Osinbanjo revealed government’s plan in this regard. “The plan to create an enabling environment for business is a critical feature in our Economic Recovery Growth Plan. This is our ease of doing business agenda, aimed at ensuring that Nigeria is as better place to do business in order to unleash the immense potential of private capital and private enterprise.

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“We are incredibly excited about what it portends business and the economy in general, including existing and intending businesses and players in the mining sector. It kicked off in 2016 with setting up of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council by President Muhammadu Buhari. The council which I am privilege to chair, has a mandate to oversee the implementation of the reforms which are to substantially improve the Nigeria business environment.”

Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, said that the African Mining Summit Vision (AMV) which was adopted in February, 2009, during the African Union (AU) Summit. He said the adoption was in furtherance of the October, 2008 meeting of African ministers responsible for mineral resources development. The AMV is by far one of the most promising instruments that unite the whole of Africa towards achieving particular objectives.

“It is Africa’s own response to tackling the paradox of great mineral wealth existing side by side with pervasive poverty, through building economic and social linkage that benefits Africa.”

The Minister adds: “for us in Nigeria, in view of present realities, we have found our bearing from the AMV, and domesticated its provisions in our “Road map for the Development of the Nigerian Mining Sector”.

“Accordingly, one of the priority goals of our government is to position our mining sector to play a greater role in sustainably diversifying our country’s revenue base, creating jobs, and fasttracking industrialization.

“This is not a tall order, as we are evidently endowed with an abundance of mineral resources. We however realize that we cannot go very far with our agenda if we do not feature community as a serious mining destination. We are enlisting strongly in the reckoning of the international mining community as a serious mining destination. We are enlisting critical stakeholders domestically and globally as enabler of our vision, while providing the conditions for the creation of shared value for all stakeholders and participants in our jurisdiction.

“One of the priority goals of our government is to position our mining sector to play a greater role in sustainably diversifying our country’s revenue base, creating jobs, and fast-tracking industrialization.”

The minister also said that there is a synergy among African countries, disclosing that “we have reports of the achievements that are already being recorded under the stewardship of my ministerial counterparts.

“The AMV prescribes integrating mining into industrial and trade policy at regional level, and encouraging collaboration and healthy competition amongst countries .We therefore consider it important to have a platform for bringing stakeholders in the sub-region together, to share ideas and compares notes on how to collaborate in making our resources work for our people. Asides sharing similar geological formations, we have similar objectives and face comparable challenge, which make it imperative for us to work together.

“This is why our ministry has partnered with Afrocet Montgomery, working with Deloitte, to host CONMIN West Africa, in demonstration of our commitment to signalling the renaissance of our mining sector, and to naturally take the lead in driving the achievement of the objectives of the AMV, collectively and at country level. It is our vision to use this platform to place Nigeria prominently in the international mining calendar, and beneficially attract greater attention to our country and sub-region.”

Speaking further, Exhibition Director, Afrocet Montgomery, George Pearson, explained reasons his company put together the ConMin West Africa.

According to him, “ConMin West Africa has been launched to serve the growing construction, machinery, infrastructure and mining equipment in West Africa region. Afrocet Montgomery has its footprint in every continent in the world and been existing since 1895.Currently, there are very few forums in West Africa that offer a platform for the key stakeholders, both regionally and internationally to interact and conduct business in this way.

Pearson said that the event was put together by “highly respected Afrocet Montgomery Exhibitions and Events”, and IMAG GmbH, both of which have a combined 145 years of experience.

IMAG, a subsidiary of the Messe München GmbH, organises trade fairs around the world and supports participants in international events outside Germany on behalf of public and private clients.

Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Nigeria’s Minister of Mines and Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Nigeria's Minister of Mines and Steel Development Steel Development

involved in over 5,000 international exhibitions abroad. IMAG’s annual portfolio encompasses approximately 30 trade fairs, spanning around 20 countries.

The events focus in particular on the following sectors: automotive, commercial vehicles and auto parts industry /construction machinery, building material and mining / machine tools and further industries / environmental technology and analysis. In Africa, IMAG is engaged in construction fairs in Algeria, Nigeria and South Africa.

Giving further lowdown on Afrocet Montgomery, he describes it as a “joint venture business which specialises in running highend exhibitions and events in West Africa. The company‘s extensive knowledge and experience of the African market has enabled the team to develop a strong portfolio of shows, which cover a wider range of sectors.

ConMin West Africa will see foremost suppliers, manufacturers and solution providers showcase an array of products from the construction, building materials and mining sectors.

The event organisers have unveiled a new Pavilion for 2018 entirely dedicated to Sustainability; companies will showcase their products for water treatment plants, pipeline construction as well as waste systems. The conference will be accompanied by a business forum with technical sessions to which exhibitors will be able to make contributions.

The 2018 National Mining Summit will once more take place alongside ConMin West Africa. This two-day conference will see industry experts share their views about the latest developments, opportunities and challenges in the sector.

More interesting, as part of the gains of this summit is the amplification of the need to diversify economy and explore more avenues of agricultural and mining prospects towards achieving economic stability and job creation.

O

n March 1, 2016, a multi-stakeholder committe was set-up to develop a roadmap for the transformation of the minerals, mining and metals sector. The Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (2007), with globally competitive sector incentives has been in place since 2017, however, the sector's growth and contributions to GDP have remained less than ideal, accounting for only about N400 billion in GDP (about 0.33%) in 2015.

To address the challenges, the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development began a process to deepen reforms, attract new investors and collaborate with a wide network of partners and stakeholders to build an attractive mining ecosystem.

To ensure that the perspective represented by the roadmap is integrative of the many stakeholders around Nigeria, the ministry shared the roadmap with state governors, the National Economic Council and other key stakeholders. The Ministry has also established an implementation team that will coordinate the work of delivering the roadmap's short, medium and long-term action items.

Ambition - Vision and Goals of the Roadmap: The Nigerian Government is working to recover the ground it lost in the past 3 decades due to a policy context that was hostile to business.

Moving forward, the government has set a target to revamp the sector to its full potential.

Phase 1: Stabilize the sector and rebuild market confidence (2016 - 2018) Phase 2: Establish Nigeria as a competitive African mining and mineral processing centre (2016 - 2020) Phase 3: Selectively compete in the global market for refind metals and minerals, in addition to select ore exports (2018 2030).

That is to say, by the end of Phase 3, Nigeria would have built a sustainable, globally competitive mining sector. The mining sector will seek to prudently use the finite resources available to the country to improve the quality of life for Nigerians, as well as earn a healthy return for investors.

There is also a great opportunity for exploration companies, investors and equipment suppliers to make head way into the market at greenfield stage as the Government is determined to deliver a profitable mining industry in the country.

During the 2017 edition of the Africa Down Under conference in Perth, Australia, Nigeria’s Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, highlighted the role government is playing in making sure Nigeria move away from relying on oil and gas and diversifying into mining business.

The Minister said that the Nigerian Government is focusing particularly on the development and growth of seven strategic minerals – coal, lead/zinc, iron-ore, gold, bitumen, barites and limestone.

“Our mining code is also broadly modelled after Western Australia’s,” the Minister said.

The Minister also used the medium to introduce a number of incentives in Nigeria to encourage investors.

Corporate income tax for example will range between 20 and 30% – which is very competitive next to Australia (30%), Chile (20%), South Africa (28%) and the USA (40%).

Royalties for coal, gold, iron-ore and copper will also range at a small 3 – 5% which is definitely at the lower end of spectrum.

Nigeria is further offering a tax holiday for an initial period of three years from commencement of operations, with a possible two year extension, and is offering exemption from customs and import duties on mining equipment.

“Our lease duration is 25 years and even more importantly than this, the Nigerian Government does not require a stake in projects at any stage – companies can be wholly-owned by foreign investors.”

Since its foundation in 1946 in Munich, IMAG has been

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Thanks to a new road-map that outlines these incentives and financial aid and structures for potential mining investors, the Minister is sure that Nigeria will successfully reposition and derisk the country’s mining sector.

Nigeria will focus on rebuilding its minerals and mining; and related processing industry in three phases he presented to the conference audience: Phase 1: Win over domestic users of industrial minerals that currently import, to achieve import substitution.

Phase 2: Focus on expanding domestic ore and mineral asset processing and beneficiation industry.

Phase 3: Return to global ore and mineral markets at a market competitive price point.

In addition to investing in a range of initiatives including infrastructure investments, technical and engineering capacity, regulatory reform, re-organisation of the Ministry, and the expansion of access to financing to drive sector transformation; the ministry has also inaugurated a specialised team (the Mining Investment Strategy Team, MIST) to drive implementation of the road-map over the coming decade.

During the Mining Week in Abuja last year, the minister shared some insights and development going-on in the Nigerian Mining Sector. The Minister said that there have been an Improvement in the Perception of the Nigerian Mining Jurisdiction. "Our aspiration is to build a world class minerals and mining ecosystem designed to serve a targeted domestic and export market for minerals and ores. We seek to rebuild market confidence in our minerals and mining sector and win over domestic users of industrial minerals in order to achieve import substitution. We are therefore pleased to see improvements in perceptions about the Nigerian Mining Jurisdiction. It has been our objective to turn the tide of popular but inaccurate narratives about Nigeria, by emphasising the strong points about the Nigerian mining sector that are seldom taken into account by the international community.”

The recently released World Risk Report, published by the Mining Journal indicates that Nigeria has made remarkable improvements in both hard risk and perceived risk factors. The Nigerian Mining Jurisdiction is now considered to have a better investment risk profile than Russia, China, India and several other leading jurisdictions. Nigeria is now “perceived” to have a better investment risk profile than New York!

"Our efforts in the sector are being well complemented by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) chaired by the Vice President, H.E. Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who has the mandate to remove bureaucratic and regulatory constraints to doing business in Nigeria.

Overall, the results of the improvement in Brand Nigeria in the international mining space, has been increased mining-related activity in Nigeria with growing interest and several new entrants," the minister added Improved Sectoral Access to Finance: the minister explained that the Government is systematically de-risking the Nigerian Mining sector and attracting investment and development funding. He adds: "We have operationalised the Nigerian Solid Minerals Development Fund to provide financing to projects in the sector. In collaboration with the Bank of Industry (BOI), the SMDF has launched a N5 Billion fund to provide single digit interest loans to mining projects in Nigeria. Also, we have secured approval to access N30 Billion from the Natural Resources Intervention Fund for the promotion of the exploration of new minerals and to strengthen the regulatory capacity of the Ministry."

Improved Institutional Capacity and Improved Mines Security: The institutional capacities of the ministry and its agencies have been strengthened to effectively regulate the sector, with a particular focus on mines safety and security. A new partnership has been forged with the Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Police Force to establish the Mining Police as provisioned in the law. This has led to a number of high profile arrests of expatriate illegal miners and their Nigerian conspirators.

There is also significant improvement in the Mining Cadastre office’s administration of mineral titles. The MCO has now met the target of consistently issuing licenses to applicants within 3045 days as stipulated in the Nigerian Mining and Minerals Act, 2007, provided the applicant has fulfilled all statutory requirements.

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Uyi Akpata, Country Senior Partner, PwC Nigeria and Regional Senior Partner, West Market Area He adds: "We have created a portal to serve as a one-stop-shop online interface that incorporates all Cadastre functions and integrates the ministry and all her agencies. What this means in effect is that, anyone from any part of the world can access our cadastre properties online, apply for licenses, make statutory payments, track progress on requests and applications, e.t.c. We are previewing this portal at this conference ahead on its launch on November, 2017."

The ministry has also embarked on a structured expansion of federal revenues across the entire mining value chain with an initial priority on improving reporting, blocking revenue leakages, and more efficient collection of taxes and royalties. To stem the illegal trading of minerals, the ministry has registered over thirty Mineral Buying Centers, and enacted the Revenue and Reporting Compliance Agreement with the Nigeria Customs Service, which has improved the policing of mineral exports.

Improved Beneficial Participation of States in Mining: He adds: "We have rightly identified as one of our priorities the need to improve our engagement of stakeholders at the sub-national level, particularly the state governments and communities. We realize that in order to give the states good reason to work with us, we need to create avenues for a greater degree of financial participation and revenue sharing in the sector. Accordingly, we have secured approval for state governments to be beneficiaries of thirteen percent (13%) derivation from mining revenue.

According to him, the ministry have also established the National Council of Mining and Mineral Resources Development (NCMMRD) to encourage a greater role for the states in the governance of the sector. The NCMMRD comprises State Commissioners responsible for Mining and Natural Resources, as well as other relevant government officials at the federal level, academia, industry and civil society. They are mandated to meet periodically to develop policy advisory, validation, and other interventions, to effectively guide the ministry in achieving the full implementation of the Roadmap and the achievement of the targets contained therein.

"We are working with State Governors to revive the MIREMCO provisions of the Mining Act, so that all the key governance provisions are adhered to. We are also in the process of setting up zonal offices of the Cadastral function so that its operations are closer to the states, and there is as much transparency about the MCO as possible. Working with the National Assembly, and recognizing the role of States in implementing the Land Use Act, we will ensure alignment between the two key acts to prevent conflict. Finally, and equally importantly, we are working with States to find commercial means for them to co-invest alongside private companies to bring mining assets to market faster and more profitably," the minister added Resolution of Legal Challenges around Legacy Assets: Another major achievement is the signing of a ‘Modified Concession Agreement’ between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Global Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, effectively resolving the protracted litigations surrounding the ownership of Ajaokuta and Niomco. The agreement was executed on behalf of the FGN, by His Excellency the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN. With this development, both NIOMCO and Ajaokuta Steel

'Making an invesment in the Nigerian Mining Sector is paying off as the sector now have a well coordinated approach, well established foundation under the current administration’ - Uyi Akpata, PWC Company have been freed from eight years of dormancy that was occasioned by the protracted arbitration between the Federal Government and GINL. The implication of the signing is that ownership of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited has now reverted to the Federal Government of Nigeria, and the Government can now proceed to engage a new core investor with the financial and technical capacity to run the steel complex. The operationalisation of ASC will provide the needed inputs to support the infrastructure requirements of the country and lead to import substitution, and save the country about 3.3 billion dollars annually spent on the importation of steel products. The Nigerian Steel Dream, conceived in the 1970s, but which has been elusive is once again on the way to becoming a reality.

According to the minister, the mining sector has begun to record very impressive results. He adds: "We achieved a 300% increase in revenue (royalties and fees) between 2015 and 2016, and as at July of this year, the sector had already surpassed the entire revenue of N2 Billion generated for the whole of 2016.”

The Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently reported GDP figures for the second quarter of 2017, indicating that the economy grew by 0.55%. It is instructive to note that the NBS attributes the economic recovery to the performance of not only the Oil and Gas sector but other main economic activities such as – mining, agriculture, manufacturing and trade, albeit marginally. The Presidency noted that “the overall economic plan and direction of the administration has resulted, among others, in sustained restoration of oil production levels, (occasioned by the enhanced security and stability in the Niger Delta) sustained growth in agriculture, mining and the first growth recorded in industry as a whole in the last nine quarters since Q4 2014. The Mining sector which remains a priority of this administration also continued to grow by 2.24%.” oving forward, PwC is also a major player in the Nigerian Mining Sector as they were among the key contributors in articulating the Roadmap for the Growth and Development of the Nigerian Mining Industry.

M

According to Uyi Akpata, Country Senior Partner for PwC Nigeria and Regional Senior Partner for the West Market Area, making an invesment in the Nigerian Mining Sector is paying off as the sector now have a well cordinated approach, well established foundation under the current administration which have positioned the mining sector in the right direction for the growth and development of Nigeria's economy. The mining policies have been put in place and people are begining to see that there is a sustained development in the Nigerian mining sector. Seven particular minerals have also been identified and the Nigerian government is focused on exploring the minerals for the growth and development of the economy.

"PwC has developed quite a number of top leadership engagement by bringing local knowledge with international experience which was shared with the Honourable Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, when he came on board about two years ago. In the past years, we invested in top leadership, engaging with PWC network organizations in Australia, Canada, South Africa, Ghana, using

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TOP STORY

them as case studies and bringing best practices to integrate into Nigerian mining sector. We make sure that we implemented the best practices for the sector and it was very instrumental. We presented an independent view to be sure that all stakeholders are carried along. Once we identify any challenges, we make notes and our next step is investing on what we think that will bring solution. Mining isn't a miracle like agriculture but if you don't set a good foundation and structures, there will not be any development in the sector. With the new roadmap of the Nigerian Solid Mineral Sector, it will begin to materialize within some years from now," he added Speaking further, he said the illegal miners should be well informed through various engagement and giving them the opportunity to do the mining business under a more robust and sustainable condition. It is a way of including them under the platform of the large companies but isn't going to be different from the arrangements in the agric sector where you have clusters of small farmers teaming up with large farmers in terms of their supply chain. For instance, if the miner is earning twenty thousand naira monthly under harzadous condition, but, in a more structure manner, they will even earn more when working under a robust and sustaniable condition.

The 'Ease of Doing Business' led by the Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osibanjo have contributed to the mining sector. People are begining to see the benefits and impact on the 'Ease of Doing Business' in Nigeria whether is the mining sector, agric sector, telecom sector etc..

“A lot of transformation have been going-on in the mining sector within the last two years and international agency such as World Bank and other investment groups are coming together to invest in the solid mineral sector of Nigeria. Though, there are more things to be done, it is a marathon and we will just be seeing easy learning steps. We have gone a long way from where we are two years ago," he added

A

Aliko Dangote

“However, the nickel balls are not physically concentrated into a heavy mineral fraction within the soil cover sequence due to the low erosional gradient in the catchment and the freshness of the bedrock.

“Furthermore, the exposed metal balls are prevented from significant oxidation due to good drainage and the formation of a protective stable secondary oxide layer on the metal surface.”

nother interesting development in the Nigerian Mining Sector is the discovery of nickel. Comet Resources Limited, an Australian Firm with a proven track record discovered nickel on the southern margin of the Jos Plateau, near the rural villages of Dangoma and Bakin Kogi, Kaduna State.

The project area spans 20 square kilometres where high concentrations of ferruginous brown balls extend over a half a kilometre to the north and west of the nickel metal occurrence.

The abundance of native nickel balls recently discovered in Nigeria is “an extraordinary occurrence in a style not known to have been previously documented”, Comet, a private mining syndicate headed by veteran Australian miner, Hugh Morgan, has said.

“Although the bedrock has not yet been tested at depth, the wide distribution of abundant nickel metal balls and their secondary ferruginous alteration product within residual weathered bedrock at Titan, indicates a large highly endowed primary mineralized system,”

In a paper distributed at the Africa Down Under Conference which was held in Perth, Australia, the company said the discovery had “important implications” for nickel exploration worldwide. The paper was delivered by the Comet team comprising Mr. Morgan,

Comet said. “To our knowledge, this style of high-grade native nickel metal has not been previously documented.”

Professor Louisa Lawrence, Stephen Davis, and Steven Pragnell.The metal named “Titan”, measuring 0.1-5.0 millimetres in diameter and weighing an estimated three weight percent.

Nigeria’s Minister for Solid Minerals, Kayode Fayemi, was among the speakers at the three day event held at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Australia.

“The wide distribution of abundant nickel metal balls and their secondary ferruginous alteration product within residual weathered bedrock at Titan, indicates a highly endowed primary mineralised system,” Comet said.

“To our knowledge, this style of high-gradem native nickel metal deposit has not been previously documented.”

The Comet team said the metal was identified and exploration has commenced since 2015.

“Pits dug up to six metres deep, at roughly 200 metre centres, show the nickel occurs in a coarse-grained micaceous felsic unit, associated with localised zones of mafic and olivine-rich ultramafic bedrocks”, the team said.

Traces of other metals such as zinc, copper, lead, and cobalt were also detected in the core and rims of the nickel. The team said ongoing activation of major bedrock structures in the area had resulted in recent tectonic shift and exposure of fresh nickel metal at the surface in an erosional drainage basin at Titan.

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According to report, Comet is currently focusing its exploration on developing a nickel project that targets the native nickel balls in the shallow weathered bedrock over an area of a half square kilometre. The company is seeking funding to continue exploration and has approached a few interested parties.

Nickel is primarily sold for first use as a refined metal. About 65 percent of it, consumed in the West, is used to produce stainless steel.

The world’s largest producers of the metal include The Philippines, Indonesia, Russia, Canada, and Australia, according to the US Geological Survey.

Comet’s board and management team are highly experienced with a wide knowledge base that is honed to finding and developing new prospects. The company is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in 1994. The company is now exploring mineral properties in Western Australia and New South Wales. Two current projects are the Springdale Graphite Project, WA and the Gilmore Gold Project, NSW; both offer strong opportunities for the future.

“Our coal mining initiative will benefit both the company and the Nigerian economy by reducing the need for foreign exchange and helping us to both protect existing jobs and create new ones.

“Although we have indicated a more measured approach to our expansion across Africa, we have new operations opening soon in Congo and Sierra Leone and these will strengthen the company’s profitability and generate additional foreign currency earnings. “Despite the challenges we are facing, we continue to focus on becoming a global force in cement production.”

The company said that many of its production lines were now capable of running entirely on coal to eliminate the company’s dependence on gas supplies, imported coal and LPFO. The construction industry will also benefit from a number of large-scale projects planned, one of which is to build two entirely new cities close to Abuja and Lagos; Centenary City and Eko Atlantic City. Improvements to infrastructure have also been given approval in addition to the construction of a large oil refinery in order to be able to process the oil extracted domestically and to no longer be reliant on imported oil.

“Nigeria is one of the most promising markets in the world and is becoming more and more important to the global economy”, says Peter Bergleiter, Managing Director IMAG GmbH, the subsidiary of Messe München which organises trade fairs outside of Germany. “We enable businesses to establish a foothold in the market at an early stage and obtain high quality contacts. The combination of a trade fair and co-located specialised conference attended by top professionals from the industry is very well received, as the overwhelmingly positive feedback from this year’s participants has proven.”

Industry Stakeholders at the event are of the view that the various resolutions reached at the event must be seriously considered if Nigeria, the West African sub-region and indeed the entire continent, is to make a leadway in the global economy.

The 2018 edition of ConMin West Africa is coming during a season of interesting developments in the Nigerian Mining Sector.

R

ecently, Africa’s Richest Man, Aliko Dangote announced its plan to start mining coal at Ankpa, Kogi State. Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Cement, Onne, van der Weijde, said that this was due to disruption to gas supply.

He said: “These are challenging times for Nigeria and Dangote Cement but we are taking strong actions that will position the company for continuing success.

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Photo Gallery

Some Photos at the ConMin West Africa Conference & Exhibition, 2017 Edition, ICC, Abuja

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Photo Gallery

Some Photos at the ConMin West Africa Conference & Exhibition, 2017 Edition, ICC, Abuja

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Construction LOCAL CONTENT & Infrastructure

Eko Atlantic City Making Headway in the Nigerian Construction Industry

A view of Eko Atlantic facing east. The large circular road towards the middle of the image will be the ring road that surrounds the Marina District.

The Nigerian Construction Industry is somewhat optimistic and the outlook for 2018 is relatively positive, with further increases in activity expected across some strategic sectors such as the Eko Atlantic City Project.

With the Real Estate Development Sector, which is shared equally between private and public sector bnancing, other signifcant aspects of the Construction Industry is still largely infuenced by public sector balancing (Federal and State government) for infrastructural developmental activities.

The Eko Atlantic City is among the major on-going projects in the Nigerian Construction Industry. Eko Atlantic is the foremost energy estate in Africa, and a testament to the rise of Nigerian content on the world stage. The city is an entire new major project being constructed on land reclaimed from the Atlantic Ocean on Victoria Island adjacent to Lagos, Nigeria.

Eko Atlantic is a focal point for investors capitalising on rich development growth based on massive demand and a gateway to emerging markets of the continent.Standing on 10 million square metres of land reclaimed from the ocean and protected by an 8.5 kilometre long sea wall, Eko Atlantic will be the size of Manhattan’s skyscraper district. Self-sufficient and sustainable, it includes stateof-the-art urban design, its own power generation, clean water, advanced telecommunications, spacious roads, and tree-lined streets.

The project is privately funded by South Energyx Nigeria Limited – the developers and city planners, a subsidiary of the Nigeria-based Chagoury Group of companies – working in strategic partnership with the Lagos State Government and supported by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Notable national and international banks have been quick to capitalise on the opportunities with some of Nigeria’s biggest – FCMB, First Bank, Access Bank and Guaranty Trust Bank – partnering with Eko Atlantic, with support from BNP Paribas Fortis and KBC. For savvy investors, Eko Atlantic City represents far more than just surging Lagos land value. As Nigeria continues its unstoppable trajectory to become the financial capital

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of Africa, investing in Eko Atlantic opens unprecedented opportunities for tapping into the wider potential of the continent as a whole – widely recognised as the world’s most promising growth horizon.

This new city has evolved rapidly from a visionary design concept into a technological reality. Infrastructural road works and underground surface drainage pipes are already laid along major routes across the new city. All bridges in Phase 1 & 2 of the project have been completed. And the Great Wall of Lagos sea revetment, which is being built more than two kilometres offshore at eight-anda-half metres above sea level, has surpassed 6 kilometres n length and is now protecting over 6 million square metres of Eko Atlantic and Victoria Island.

Across Eko Atlantic, independent reliable electricity, advanced fibre optic telecoms, and clean water utility services are already installed below street level. With the foundations in place, this magnificent engineering and technological city is now rising.

Construction of the Great Wall of Lagos, which can be seen from space, began in 2009. The wall, which will reach 8.5 kilometers upon completion, is a large sea revetment that protects the emerging new city, Victoria Island, and parts of Lekki from the threat of flooding due to coastal erosion and ocean surge.

“Various Nigerian and international searches show that the erosion rate of the Lagos coast, since as far as back 1910’s, when the record began, has been in the order of 2 to 10 meters per year” says Daniel Kamau, Managing Director, Royal Haskoning Engineering Consultants, the appointed marine engineers for the Eko Atlantic Project. “The land where Eko Atlantic is being built existed historically, but has eroded over a long period. Eko Atlantic will restore some of the land lost to the sea and protect it from erosion,” he concluded.

The revetment uses a proven method of accropode units as primary armour for the structure. Each accropode is made on site and weighs 5 tons. 100,000 accropodes will be placed in a predefined grid, using a GPS system for pin-point accuracy.

The basic principles of revetment, as a proven engineering solution for river and coastal protection, have been used for centuries, if not millenniums, around the world. The sea wall is designed and tested to handle the worst storms in hundreds/thousand years, putting into consideration global warming and rising sea levels.

As the final step to the Great Wall of Lagos, a 8.2 kilometre long, 12.5 metre wide, promenade will be built on top of the Great Wall. This promenade will provide a tremendous amount of recreational space to residents looking to take advantage of the ocean front open area and impressive ocean view.

“When finished, the Great Wall of Lagos will ensure that everyone living and working within the ten square kilometres of reclaimed land for Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island, and parts of Lekki are protected from the sea.” says Mr. David Frame, Managing Director, South Energyx Nigeria Limited.

Furthermore, it should be noted that approximately 8km of coast adjacent to the east of Eko Atlantic has been protected by construction of 18 rock groynes by Lagos State Government as their ongoing program to protect the coastline of Lagos State from coastal erosion. Eko Atlantic and the groynes protect a combined 16km of Lagos coast, including a majority of coastal communities in Lagos, which were previously subjected to severe flooding and erosion.

The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has said that the Eko Atlantic City (EAC) project is expected to accommodate over 150,000 people who will reside there and another 250,000 who will work and commute within the city on a daily basis.

The governor, who spoke in Lagos at the inspection tour of the multi-billion dollar project sitting on over 10 million square metres, noted that the facility would go a long way to facilitate his administration’s quest to grow potentials of the state economy.

While expressing confidence that the initiative will not only boost the economy of the state, but also increase its internally generated revenue (IGR), he pledged the total commitment of the government towards its success.

“I would like to express the total support of this government to this project because at the end of the day, we need to grow the economy of Lagos and this obviously is going to have multiplier effect on our IGR. “We promise that we are going to grow our IGR to N30 billion by 2017 and N50 billion by 2018 and this project is a sure outlet in achieving that goal,” he said.

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Construction LOCAL CONTENT & Infrastructure

There have also been significant progress in its infrastructural development ( for phase one & two ) . One of the city’s achievements is the completion of 14 bridge structures in just two years. The bridges, built to international standards, within phase one and two, which extends to over five million square metres representing half of the entire planned city development.

Work on the bridge project commenced in December 2014 when the first bridge deck was cast and the last bridge project completed on schedule in December 2016. Phase one & two of the city, which is divided into 8 districts (Harbour Lights, Business Districts, Eko Drive, Marina, Ocean Front, Down town, Eko Energy Estate and Avenues), is planned for mixed-use with commercial, residential, entertainment and leisure activities to make the city a 24/7 lively environment. With the new bridges all the districts are now accessible by road. The bridgeworks have formed a major element of the works and it has also enabled all major avenues to overpass the canal system running through the spine of the project.

All the bridges are between 2-8 lanes. For instance, Bridge 7 comprises a six-lane carriageway and is located on Avenue 1, thus defining the western boundary of the Business District, the commercial heartland of the city.

Spanning 52 metres overall in three sections, Bridge 7 is typical of the design utilised throughout all bridges and comprises are inforced concrete cast in-situ deck with concrete piers and abutments. Also post-tensioning techniques were employed on the horizontal deck to achieve the span required.

The last bridge was deliberately constructed to overpass the canal entrance to the South West Marina, defining the marine access to the Atlantic Ocean.

Mr David Frame, Managing Director of South Energyx Nigeria Limited (SENL), a subsidiary of the Chagoury Group said, “We are fully committed to ensuring that the project is completed on schedule. With the successful completion of all the bridges, all the major avenues within Phase 1 and 2 of the City are now fully interconnected, with the comprehensive road network of the City defined and all zones accessible.” He hinted that the company has a lot of announcements planned for the year as it achieves more key milestones in the project.

It would be recalled that the city in November last year unveiled the first of the Eko Pearl Towers, a residential building in its Marina District. The commissioning of the Tower which was done by the Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode came some months after the commissioning of the city’s Eko Boulevard, Nigeria’s first eightlane city road.

South Energyx Nigeria Limited (SENL), developers of the Eko Atlantic City Project has restated its commitment to reduce the country’s huge housing deficit over the next few years through the development of a wide range of affordable and luxurious residential buildings.

Making the pledge was Mr. Ronald Chagoury Jr., Vice Chairman of South Energyx Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of the Chagoury Group. He described the Eko Atlantic City as a very unique and ambitious project developed by the company as part of its efforts at solving the country’s housing problem.

According to statistics, Nigeria’s housing shortage is estimated at 17 million, of which 5 million in Lagos alone. When completed, the new Eko Atlantic City will reduce this by providing homes to about 450,000 residents, with additional office space for another 300,000 people.

“At the moment, we are working hard with our partners to ensure that the project is completed on schedule. In fact, the first residential building should be ready before the end of the year and the second by mid-2017, with the first office block set to be ready by October, 2016,” he stated.

“One common misperception about Eko Atlantic City is that all of its properties are priced above the market. This is hardly the truth, for while the city will naturally feature a range of high-end luxury apartments, it will also provide many opportunities for more competitively priced accommodation,” he said, and described the project as a “vital answer to the housing shortage in Lagos.”

According to data released by Residential Auctions Company (RAC), there are already over 1,000 units of apartments of various room sizes ranging from one-bedroom to four-bedroom apartments already under construction at Eko Atlantic City.

Chagoury expressed the belief that ambitious projects such as the Eko Atlantic City will not only help alleviate Nigeria’s housing problems, but also help put Lagos on the global map as one of the emerging smartest cities in the world, thereby boosting its business and tourism potentials and revenue.

He called for concerted efforts by stakeholders, including local and international investors in solving the country’s housing problems. “South Energyx has taken it upon itself to reduce Lagos’ accommodation deficits with the Eko Atlantic City.

However, to totally overcome the problem, all hands must be on deck,” he said.

News in Pictures Snapshot of President Muhammadu Buhari on a practical tour at the Eko Atlantic City (EAC), a multi-billion dollar project expected to accommodate over 150,000 people

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page 31

MINING LOCAL CONTENT & CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES

CDE Global Design, Manufacture and Install Processing Plants For Mining Operations Tailings management: The move to zero tailings is facilitated by the specification of a customised filter press which reduces waste and also ensures a significant reduction in health & safety risks on site.

Choosing CDE means extending the life of your reserve and investing in the sustainability of your mining operations.

Through the introduction of a customised CDE process improvement package, it can facilitate the processing of lower grade ores. By reducing the cut-off grade CDE is able to deliver significant efficiencies to mining operation, increase the volumes of material available for processing, reduce the stockpiling of waste ores, extend the life of reserve, maximise return on investment and through the introduction of CDE's tailings waste management process it can eliminate tailings from mining operation.

In March 2018, CDE Global received a prestigious award as 'One of Ireland’s Best Managed Companies' for the tenth time.

The award celebrate ten years of recognising management excellence. The company was named as one of Ireland’s Best Managed companies in the Deloitte Best Managed Companies Awards programme.

CDE, which demonstrated superior business performance for the tenth year running, was recognised at an awards gala dinner in Dublin on 15 March 2018 and is the only company in Northern Ireland to be on the list every year, for the last ten years. 22 new companies join a requalifying network of more than 100 companies, built over a decade of the programme.

The awards, in association with Bank of Ireland, culminated with the Best Managed Companies Awards symposium and gala, which was attended by over 1,000 people from the Irish business community.

In total 137 companies were recognised as Best Managed Companies and have a combined turnover of over €12 billion.

26 of the 32 counties across the island of Ireland were represented by winning companies.

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ince 1992, CDE Global have grown to be the largest wet processing equipment company in the world as a result of it focus on constantly developing and improving materials processing technology in a way which allows you to maximise the return on your investment, minimise environmental impact, gain significant competitive advantage in the market.

CDE's iron ore processing plants target these contaminants and ensure their effective removal from the feed to the kilns. This has the effect of increasing the value of the iron ore allowing for a more efficient steel production process. The company introduced a customised hydrocyclone configuration and AquaCycle thickener technology that remove silica contamination, remove clay contamination.

Headquarters in Cookstown, Northern Ireland is the world’s largest campus dedicated to the wet processing of materials in the sand & aggregates. mining, C&D waste recycling, industrial sands and environmental sectors.

CDE's hydrocyclone technology is designed to meet the specific requirements of your mining operation taking into account the nature of your feed material, requirements and your desired classification point. The company's AquaCycle thickener technology can be used at the classification stage to assist with the separation of the bauxite residue from the pregnant liquor.

CDE Global also have a vast experience in the design, manufacture and installation of specialist sand screening and classification systems that ensures sand specification is optimised, plant footprint is reduced and minimal environmental impact. The company's client list includes most of the major players across the 5 sectors where they work and provides all the evidence required of the performance, innovation and novelty included across its equipment range.

CDE's iron ore processing plants are proven to successfully deal with silica and alumina contamination in the iron ore, resulting in an increase in the value of the iron ore thereby increasing the efficiency of the steel production process. Silica requires very high temperatures in the kiln therefore increasing energy costs when it is present in the feed to the kilns. Both alumina and silica build up in the kilns as a coating, reducing the efficiency of the kilns over time. This requires that the kilns be shut down in order to facilitate the removal of this material build up.

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CDE Global also offers various range of equipment for the processing of chromite ore, which includes: Screening: CDE's Infinity screens can be used for the classification of chromite ore in preparation for the further stages of processing.

Hydrocyclones: CDE's hydrocyclone technology can be used to remove unwanted fines from chromite ore prior to material being stacked before the heap leaching process.

Logwashers: CDE's RotoMax logwasher is suitable when processing chromite ore with clay contamination. The scrubbing process of the logwasher facilitates the breaking down and effective removal of these clays from chromite ore, introducing efficiencies to downstream processes.

Commenting on the award, Brendan McGurgan, Group Managing Director, CDE said: “We are absolutely thrilled to win this award for Best Managed Company for the tenth consecutive year. This accolade assessed across 4 key pillars including Strategy, Capability, Commitment and Financial performance is testimony to the strength, determination, culture, and resilience of our Team who have skilfully navigated a path through the recession since 2008. A commitment to our strategic goals underpinned by a strong focus on Innovation has delivered value to our Customers across five Industry sectors on a global basis and we are delighted that the outlook remains positive as we continue to focus our collective efforts towards the delivery of our 2020 Vision."

Commenting, Deloitte Partner, Anya Cummins said: “2018 marks the 10th year of the Deloitte Best Managed Companies Awards programme, which has grown from 25 companies in year 1 to 137 in year 10. The programme represents companies from different industries with many industry-specific challenges but also common characteristics such as adaptability, innovation, and ambition. Their stories are the stories of Irish business this past decade, and they are stories of resilience, recovery, and confidence.”

Andrew Graham, Director, Bank of Ireland Corporate Banking said: “The Best Managed programme puts the spotlight on well-managed companies that are generating strong returns, as well as growing their businesses through investment in technology, a customer-centric approach, and commitment to developing leaders of the future. The process and frameworks used by these businesses continue to serve them well in adapting to and succeeding in the dynamic and ever-evolving global markets in which they now compete. We have been really impressed by not only the breadth of businesses but also their ambition, drive, and determination. I have no doubt that they will continue to set the benchmark for excellence in the years to come and we wish them continued success.”

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MINING LOCAL CONTENT & CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES

Geodel Support Solid Mineral Development for Discovery and Exploration sector of Nigeria.

GISL is active throughout Nigeria; covering remote locations of Nigeria and some parts of Africa. GISL offers services ranging from mineral title acquisition, to the practical exploration and mining.

GISL also provides skilled and experienced team of professional geologists, geochemists and geophysicists and GIS analysts who adapt to any type of work environment around the world on a wide range of commodities and deposit styles. The company's exploration teams are well trained and equipped with the latest geophysical and geochemical exploration techniques as well as requirement of international reporting codes.

GISL has accumulated a portfolio of clients and projects that have earned the company repute for excellence. The company has carried out exploration of several minerals such as Lead/Zinc ores, Tin, Tantalite, Gold, Gemstones, wolframite, Barite etc. GISL employs the use of an integrated approach to locating economically viable ore deposits.

GISL is a corporate member of the Prospectors Developers Association Canada (PDAC), Nigerian Mining and Geoscience Society (NMGS), Society of Exploration Geophysicist (SEG) and Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geoscientists (COMEG). GISL operates a modern fleet of off-road vehicles and advance equipment.

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eodel Integrated Systems Limited (GISL) is an indigenous exploration company established in 2008, operating in Nigeria with technical partners in Canada to support the solid mineral development drive of the nation and also bridge the gap between discovering and exploitation. The company provides a wide range of geological services, geochemical studies, geological surveys and drilling operations at the industry’s best standard and also provides developmental services for mines such as mineral resource estimation, mine planning and design to optimize mineral extraction in the most profitable approach.

GISL specializes in managing exploration projects worldwide, offering a complete end-to-end exploration service specifically tailored to the client’s needs and mineral of interest. The company's geological solutions range from grass-roots exploration to advanced resource estimation drill. This includes data compilations and past projects, target definition, project design and planning, budgeting, drills supervision, logistics, project management, tenement management and implementation.

Over the years GISL has offered Standard geological services to various investors investing in the solid mineral.

Boskel Provides Engineering, Environmental Management Services in Nigeria and Beyond

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ncorporated in August 1989, Boskel is a Nigerian company specialized in providing thermal process engineering and environmental management solutions in the West African Coast, and other parts of the world. The company's products and services are appropriate to conditions of the environment, infrastructure, and budget for which the solution is intended while meeting international standards. With well trained technical staff of over 100, and operates with 100 percent Nigerian staff focusing on developing local content solutions while maintaining international standards.

In 1991, Boskel embarked on the development of its patented passive Smokeless Flare System for the Oil & Gas industry. The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) became interested and after conducting several pilot tests with Boskel Smokeless Flares began replacing it's older smokey flare systems with Boskel Smokeless Flares.

In 1992, the first commercial Boskel Smokeless Flare was installed at Kokori flow station of Shell Petroleum Development Company. Since then over 200+ Boskel Smokeless Flare units have been built

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Today, Boskel operates and manages a fully staffed and equipped incineration facility complete with a Rotary Kiln Incinerator, a Thermal Desorption Unit, a drum crushing unit, and emission control monitoring units necessary for proper disposal operation. This Boskel Waste Management facility is one of the few facilities authorized by the Nigerian Environmental Agencies to issue certificates of disposal in compliance with Environmental safety laws. and installed for Shell Petroleum Development Company, AGIP, etc in Nigeria and other locations including Oman. Boskel Smokeless Flare technology is continually being developed to address changes in the constraints of the industry while achieving optimal performance.

Following the success of Boskel's Smokeless Flare system, Boskel began developing incinerators for hazardous and municipal wastes in 1995. After development of several pilot units, Boskel Incinerator technology matured enough to meet industrial standards and optimum cost effectiveness. Currently, Boskel have built and designed fully operational units

for disposal of most hazardous industrial wastes in various industries and disposal of municipal wastes for various government agencies.

Boskel Smokeless Flare technology was developed to address environmental problems created by excessive smoky gas flaring prevalent in the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria.

Since the first pilot tests where completed in 1992, Boskel Smokeless Flare technology has significantly matured and over 200+ units have been designed, built, and installed for various clients in Nigeria and internationally including Shell Petroleum, AGIP, etc.

Based on the client specifications Boskel Smokeless Flare are designed and fabricated for rigidity, and longevity. Most Boskel Smokeless Flares are currently being used in some of the harshest conditions in the world and have life spans in excess of 10 years.

Boskel is a company that prides itself in delivering appropriate solutions to meet a wide range of constraints by maintaining a highly trained technical staff and challenging conventional solutions to problems in industrial processes. sThe company is well placed to assist companies, local authorities and others in the development of appropriate, legally compliant waste management strategies.

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MINING LOCAL CONTENT & CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES

BAUER Group, A Major Driving Force in the Mining, Construction & Equipment Industry

Batumi. Located directly next to already completed project by Bauer Georgia “Black Sea Hotel Hilton & Residences” on the plush Batumi Boulevard along the Black Sea coast, this major project valued at USD 80 million includes the construction of a five-star hotel Marriott with 160 rooms as well as exclusive apartments. The complex, which is expected to be completed in 2020, will also house a seawater pool, spa, fitness center, cafés, restaurants and a casino, which will be the largest in this region. BAUER was commissioned by Alliance Privilege LLC to carry out the foundation works for the building complex. The project involves the construction of 186 pressure-grouted piles with a diameter of 1.2 meters drilled to a maximum depth of 55 meters, as well as extensive static load test. The equipment used for the works includes two BAUER BG 28 drilling rigs. The test phase was successfully completed in February 2018, and the foundation work is expected to continue until the end of April. The company is currently in negotiations for further works for shoring system on the “Alliance Privilege Project.”

Recently, Bauer together with its local Joint Venture Partner won a contract worth EUR 30 million for the contruction for a section of the West Gate Tunnel Project. The company will carry out 90 percent of the foundation works in the Northern Portal Area and includes pile walls, cut-off walls and sheet piling for the 600-meter-long access road to the future West Gate Tunnel.

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stablished in 1790, BAUER Group is a world market leader in the Mining, Construction & Equipment Industry with over 110 subsidiaries operating on all continents. The company's operations are divided into three segments; Construction, Equipment and Resources. The Construction segment offers innovative engineering services, and carries out foundation and excavation work, cut-off walls and ground improvements worldwide.

Bauer also maintains a leading position in the Equipment segment as it provides a full range of equipment for specialist foundation engineering as well as for the exploration, mining and extraction of natural resources.

In the Resources segment, Bauer focuses on highly innovative products and services in the areas of water, environment and natural resources. The company has been a major driving force in the development of specialist foundation engineering and executes excavation pits, foundations, cut-off walls and ground improvement all over the world.

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Bauer services covers all kinds of bored piles, anchors, diaphragm and cut-off walls, as well as injections and deep vibrations.

The approved quality of these production methods comes from long years of experience, qualified employees and continuous research. Competent partner and sister companies. Bauer's subsidiary in Georgia has carried out key projects in recent years.

One of the key projects that the company carried out was the construction of an excavation pit for the “Sheraton Underground Parking and Casino Project” in Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi. The project, awarded by the contractor DECO LLC and the client RAKIA Georgia LLC, involved the installation of a total of 303 temporary ground anchors as part of the complete renovation of a four-star hotel. The anchors measuring up to 29 meters in length with diameters of 180 and 150 millimeters were installed within three months and the work was completed in November 2017. An anchor drilling rig type UBW 08 was used for this project.

In 2018, BAUER commenced work on another project in Georgia.

The “Alliance Privilege Foundation Piles Project“ involves the foundation work for a building complex in the coastal city of

The construction of the guide wall in February 2018 marked the start of the foundation works. The first drilling operations was scheduled for mid-March. Six Bauer rotary drilling rigs, an RG 19 pile driver as well as three micropile drilling rigs and one anchor drilling rig are to be used for this purpose. "The biggest challenge in this project is the tight time schedule," says Gerhard Zylowski, Managing Director of BAUER Foundations Australia Pty. Ltd. "In addition to this, the logistics and the operation of about ten drilling rigs and ten cranes on site will have to be coordinated.” The work undertaken by Bauer is expected to be completed in October 2018.

More interesting, BAUER have a well established training centre that offers centralized trainings for employees, customers and business partners. The program is divided into two large sections. In the area of “Training for Customers and Business Partners“ BAUER introduce you to its training courses related to the product portfolio of BAUER Maschinen GmbH. The company also provide training in the area of specialist foundation engineering as well as the business area of Bauer Resources.

The second part of the program, “Vocational training“ which offers various training topics in the areas of social and media competency, languages, IT and machinery/equipment. Some of these courses are also subsidized by the “Agentur für Arbeit” (government Employment Agency) as so-called AZAV measures (certified by the German Recognition and Authorization Ordinance for Continuing Education).

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MINING LOCAL CONTENT & CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES

HAVER & BOECKER Produces Wire Mesh Products and Mineral Processing Technology experience in wire mesh processing. It has over 50 subsidiary companies on all five continents and operates worldwide with more than 3,000 employees and 150 representatives. In 2015 the company posted a sales turnover of 456.5 million euros.

The market requirements for packaging machines with respect to cleanliness, intelligence and profitability are becoming ever more demanding. The development engineers at HAVER & BOECKER have been working intensively on producing cleanly and profitably fill, pack, palletize and to using their systems even more efficiently.

HAVER has also introduced a new technology known as “Quattro System Monitoring”, which can be retrofitted to existing machines. It allows machines to be operated more profitably and processes to be laid out and planned more intelligently. This means the company will be ushering in a new era at the world’s largest trade fair for packing.

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ounded in 1887, HAVER & BOECKER is an independent, midsize, family company headquartered in the Westphalian town of Oelde in Germany with various divisions of Wire Weaving and Machinery. The company also develop and produce packing and screening machines for the raw material processing industry. With a worldwide network of subsidiaries and production sites HAVER & BOECKER strive to set new trends and technically lead national and international markets. It offers mesh related solutions such as filtration, screening, particle size analysis and architecture, designing future systems for agglomeration, mixing, packing, filling, palletizing and automation of products and processes.

The Wire Weaving Division produces thousands of various types of wire mesh for screening, filtration and measurement technology. Also in the area of architecture HAVER & BOECKER have a vast experience. The Wire Weaving Division also produces woven wire cloth and processes it into engineered woven wire products. They are used for screening and filtration by the chemical, plastics, automotive, aviation, aerospace, electronics,

foodstuffs and feed industries, as well as for architectural applications and analysis sieves.

The Machinery Division and its technology brands HAVER & BOECKER, HAVER + TYLER, IBAU HAMBURG, SOMMER, BEHN + BATES, FEIGE FILLING and NEWTEC BAG PALLETIZING is also specialized in processing, transport, storage, mixing, filling, packing, palletizing and loading of bulk materials. The product range includes single machines and complete systems for the handling of powder-type and granulated materials, liquid and pasty products, food and animal feed, as well as ship loading and unloading equipment. HAVER Automation ensures the linking of the individual technologies for a transparent and effective process. HAVER Engineering develops processes and technologies for processing mineral raw materials, offers apprenticeship and in-service training and creates operator models.

HAVER & BOECKER also offer complete solutions for single machines, system configuration and extends through the turnkey handover of complex plants for mineral processing. Together with HAVER Institute, they develop process engineering solutions, machinery and innovative services. With the company's mineral processing technology your plant will be more efficient, low-wear and more productive.

With over 125-year of experience, HAVER & BOECKER has become a global leader in the manufacture of wire mesh for industry, technology, architecture and design. These years of

HEMCO Manufactures High Quality Equipment and Accessories for the Drilling Industry

H

eavy Equipment Manufacturing Company (HEMCO), design, develop and manufacture high quality equipment, tools and accessories for the foundation engineering and drilling industry. The company's products include parts and accessories for diaphragm wall cutters and hydraulic rotary drilling rigs, kelly bars, drilling buckets and augers, casings, DTH hammers, top hammer drill bits and drill rods, drilling teeth, slurry handling equipment such as de-sanders and filter press units, grout pumps, cross hole sonic logging tubes amongst others.

HEMCO is continuously striving for improvement of its products and are totally dedicated to providing world class service to clients. Because of the company's "Passion for Quality" and client focused approach, HEMCO is fast becoming a world class manufacturer and worldwide supplier for the foundation engineering and drilling industry.

In previous years, HEMCO opened a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Wuxi, China. The company's first factory was established in the year 2010, with a production area of 2,400 square meters. Over the past 6 years, the production volume has increased six times compared to the initial volume in 2010.

HEMCO's new factory is established to cater to the growing demand in the Middle East, South East and Far East. It has a total area of 6,500 square meters, which includes offices, quality assurance laboratory and raw material warehouse area.

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page 35

MINING LOCAL CONTENT & CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES

T&GIL, A Leading Mechanical Manufacturing, Oil and Gas Servicing Company in Nigeria

from the host communities and Nigerian graduates during the execution of projects in compliance with Nigerian Content Human Capacity Development with strides for technological advancements.

When it comes to Machining & Manufacturing and in order to breach the long existing gap that has been in machining industry, T&GIL have installed unique capacity and capability that can deliver complex components such as well head, Christmas trees, casing spool, etc. Other services t h a t t h e c o m p a n y o ff e r s i n c l u d e s : B u c k i n g Services(Breakout & Make-up), Redressing of Drilling Jars, Hard Facing & Hard Binding.

Fabrication: T&GIL fabrication shop is ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) certified with 'U' 'PP' and 'R' stamp respectively and are able to perform a wide variety of custom fabrication work such as: Construction of Pressure Vessels, Boilers, Power Piping and Pressure Piping to ASME codes, Repairs and re-alteration of Pressure Retaining Items, Fabrication of Structural Components to AWS. DI.1., Welding procedures and personnel qualified to AWS.DI.I, NDE Procedures and personnel qualified to AWS.DI.I/ASME SEC V/SNT-TCIA/AWS-CWI.

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stablished in 1998, Thompson & Grace Investments Limited (T&GIL) is 100 percent Nigerian company that specializes on Advanced Mechanical component Manufacturing, Engineering, Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG), Machine Shop Services, Fabrication, Crane Maintenance, Operations, installation, repairs, and Lifting Engineering Solutions and Training.

The company has the confidence of numerous local and international partner and client companies for its uncompromising services.

All work procedures in T&GIL’s and client’s site are performed in strict adherence to the provisions of Nigerian Content initiatives as enshrined in the NODGIC Act. T&GIL also supports training and development of youths

Lifting Engineering Solutions: T&GIL focuses on sales of new lifting equipment, installation of same, inspection, repair, maintenance, and re-certification. Other services include offshore crane re-engineering, special lifting projects, hydraulics, electrical and mechanical services, crane operations training and cable based fall arrest systems. T&GIL provides OCTG support to its customers on a global scale irrespective of the location whether offshore requirements or onshore.

Officine Maccaferri Design and Develop Complex Solutions in the Construction, Mining & Energy Industry mattresses wherever it is required.

Mining: Mine owners and operators require quality geotechnical, geological and hydraulic solutions, delivered on time and installed rapidly to minimise disruption to mine productivity. Officine Maccaferri have an on-the-ground presence in 100 countries. That is to say, companies involved in mining are never far from a Officine office and the engineering support available there. With over 30 factories around the world, few companies can offer material availability like Officine either.

Officine's products and solutions can help mine owners with any kind of problem in each stage of their mine’s lifecycle.

From access and material handling infrastructure, rockfall hazard mitigation, product concentration, and leachate storage, to dewatering and site remediation.

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stabilished in 2008, Officine Maccaferri Nigeria Limited is an Environmental Solutions company with office in Port Harcourt, River State, Nigeria.

The company is a Subsidiary of Officine Maccaferri Industrial Group with their headquarters in Bologna, Italy. The company is a highly-specialized in designing and developing complex solutions in the civil engineering, geotechnical and environmental construction markets.

Officine solutions involves Soil Stabilization for Infrastructures, Roads and Gulleys, Sanitary Landfills, Flood Protection And Erosion Control, Coastal Protection, River Banks, Dams/ Water Reservoirs to mention a few. 130 years ago, Officine invented Gabions which dramatically changed civil engineering’s landscape. The company work everyday, with 130 years of experience, to find better solutions for clients at every degree of latitude and longitude. Officine has more than 70 subsidiaries operating in 5 continents, with an on-site presence in more than 100 countries, and nearly 3000 employees.

In Nigeria, Officine have partnered with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in shoreline and coastal protection projects, Federal Ministry of Environment and World Bank in soil erosion and land conservation projects and with the major Construction Firms.

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Furthermore, in challenging at complex scenarios, Officine Maccaferri Nigeria Limited has developed the ability to perform as a front-end technological partner, far beyond the role of supplier of multiple products.

Pipeline Protection: Officine have three decades of protecting ipelines. Since 1981, Officine have provided engineering solutions for the protection, anchoring, ballasting and stabilisation of under-sea pipelines and cables. The company invented an innovative technology called The SARMAC® mattress: a simple to deploy, prefabricated bitumen matrix filled mattress which maintains flexibility even in cold water and deforms to the profile of the object it is protecting.

This product is technically proven and has been used extensively in the Oil & Gas industry where its flexibility and impact resistance have been important for numerous offshore applications including pipeline crossings and protection. Officine Maccaferri ACBM system reduces costs and carbon footprint.

Oil & Gas / Energy: Officine assist clients working in the Oil & Gas and Energy markets.

Different challenges, but always the same goal. Regardless of the problem, Officine endeavour to deliver cost effective, reliable and environmentally friendly solutions, reusing site-won materials whenever possible. From wind farms, to oil storage, to pipelines. Officine provide geogrids and geotextiles to reinforce access tracks in order to facilitate the installation of wind farms in remote locations. Officine have designed containment berms surrounding oil storage facilities and reinforced soil slopes to enable the construction of pipelines through confined areas.

Officine's retaining structures enables the construction of terminals, plant infrastructure and other facilities on sloping ground, and its high strength geogrids stabilise soft ground to support working platforms. Where pipelines are laid across the country, Officine provide erosion control and revegetation solutions to rapidly reinstate the scarred earth.

Offshore solutions: Officine provide ballasting and protection systems for pipelines, preventing them from being moved by sea-currents, or being damaged by dragging anchors. The company's Sarmac bituminous mattresses have been used for over 30 years to protect pipes, especially at junctions and cross-overs.

More recently, its ACBM (Articulated Concrete Block Mattress) system offers value-for-money protection for oil and gas pipelines, sewage outfalls and more. This system features a patented and innovative, transportable framework which enables the production of concrete

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MINING LOCAL CONTENT & CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES

Venti Oelde, An Innovative Air Flow Technology Provider Without Limits Since 1930, Venti Oelde has been involved in planning, developing and manufacturing in their North-RhineWestphalian location, Oelde. Apart from industrial fans, their manu¬¬facturing programme includes dust collection and process gas cleaning plants, exhaust air treatment plants, ventilating, heating and air-conditioning plants, recycling and waste treatment plants as well as plants for surface technology.

All engineers at Venti Oelde are bound together by a common passion: a fascination with air and the almost unlimited possibilities for its use in modern systems engineering. The entire bandwidth of this potential is reflected on its technology solutions.

Innovative power, technical capability and reliability have made the company to become one of the world leaders in air technology.

Venti Oelde is also involved in maintenance, servicing, inspection, repairs as well as plant upgrading, rationalisation and enlargement complete the available services. Experienced specialists in a large number of outside offices and agents ensure expert support all round the world. Air is the medium the company work with.

Research and development, planning and consulting, manufacturing and service. Venti Oelde plants and components are used for collecting, handling and filtering of air, vapours, gases, dust and airborne solids.

Industrial fans: The conceptual spectrum of radial industrial fans comprises high-pressure versions for the handling of gases and dust-free air, fans to handle woodchips and materials, high-efficiency fans for transporting gases and dust, and large fans for dust-laden air. For the circulation of hot gases with temperatures exceeding 1,000 °C, or for corrosive gases, Venti Oelde build special fan models from corrosion-resistant materials. The company designs are durable, low-noise and easy to maintain. Each fan is calculated and constructed for its specific use based on process parameters.

Dust collection and process air cleaning plants: In many industrial sectors it is vital to collect, transport and separate dust and solid particles from air or process gases using various filter systems ranging from jet bag filters to wet scrubbers.

Venti Oelde uses both standard modules and solutions specially developed to meet these requirements. The company have developed a completely new filter which was designed for the particular requirements of filtering air containing high-volume or fluffy fibrous material.

On request, Venti Oelde can supply systems on a turnkey basis. The company take care of all components from the point of extraction right through to the exhaust gas stack. It systems transport the separated dust to the transfer point either mechanically or, for larger distances, pneumatically.

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Exhaust air treatment plants: Extraction of welding and other process fumes as well as steam and heat results in a good “work climate”. Venti Oelde develops total solutions for this for machines, processes, workplaces, cabins, rooms and workshops of all sizes. For example, in industrial printing processes, the discharged air may be loaded with solvents, moisture, odours and excessive heat. The company's highly effective systems reliably clean the flow of discharged air. The heat energy contained can be efficiently recaptured by a heat exchanger.

Ventilating, heating and air conditioning plants: Venti manufactures and installs air heating systems, ventilation systems with heat recovery and air-conditioning systems for workshops and rooms. The recovery of up to 75 per cent of the heat energy increases efficiency while reducing operating costs and optimising your working procedures. For instance, the heat exchanger that Venti Oelde developed is controlled by the measured data..

heating is thus only used when the outdoor temperatures are extremely low.

Workplace air conditioning: Venti Oelde intelligently regulate the air temperature and humidity as new production buildings are often planned without any natural ventilation.

Under these circumstances, Venti Oelde has ensured a balanced climate in factory buildings for all types of industry. Heat arising during factory processes is used for heating and the required humidity and temperature thresholds are maintained via sensible plant control technology.

In combination with air supply and extraction units, air cooling and humidifying systems as well as intelligent air distribution, conventional heating costs for a factory workshop can be reduced in a very cost-effective way. The additional integrated

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Upstream LOCAL CONTENT Oil & Gas Summit 2018

Improved collaboration, key to desired success in Sub-Saharan African Oil, Gas sector- Kachikwu

By Ayobami Adedinni

Dr. Ibe Kachikwu

The Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries need to continue to cooperate with each other to achieve the desired success stories in the industrialisation and developments in the resources, especially in the Oil and Gas sector.

This was contained in Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources’ keynote speech at the fourth edition SubSaharan African Upstream Oil and Gas Summit and Exhibition held on April 11-13, 2018 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, Nigeria, highlighting that the SSA as a geopolitical zone is attracting considerable attention as human capital and natural resources provide building blocks of a sustainable economy.

Dr. Kachikwu ably represented by Mr. Gbite Adeniji, his Special Technical Adviser (STA), extolled the Summit for providing veritable platform for intellectual discourse, knowledge sharing and showcasing giant strides made by the industry as well as the theme: ‘Gearing Up for Growth: Sub-Saharan Africa Oil, Gas and Power Value Chain’.

The Minister rated high the current reform of the African Petroleum Producers Organisation, championed by Nigeria as a major key collaborative effort that must be pursued to achieve the Continent’s lofty aspirations as a geopolitical bloc.

“Oil, Gas and Power yield a variety of benefit to our countries, ranging from revenues for governments, nations’ development, to employment opportunity for our citizens;

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“The different segments, upstream to downstream, undoubtedly bring benefit to our nations. As such realization of the entire value chain of these petroleum resources within our countries, presents a virile opportunity to alleviate socio-economic challenges and foster sustainable growth in our countries”.

He said there was no better time than now to take all necessary actions that would facilitate the realisation of these potentials for desired success stories.

The Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Roadmap ‘7 big wins, Dr Kachikwu said, reflects the country’s efforts towards realization the value chain of oil, gas and power.

“The 7 key initiatives entail an interplay of innovative technology, economics and public policy,” he added.

Speaking further, he said the present administration has deployed framework for the value chain of gas to be extended. “The Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialization Programme (NGFCP) targets to eliminate flares by ensuring that these currently unexploited gases are converted into benefits using proven technological innovations, while also perpetuating socio-economic benefits for the Country”, the Minister explained.

On the state of the local refineries, he said, “Our refinery initiative drive is yielding result, as numerous investors/licensees are presently at advanced stages of modular refinery establishment with planned commissioning of at least two modular refineries before the end of the year”.

Security-wise, the keynote Speaker said that the state of security in the local communities in the Niger-Delta has improved due to constant engagement with the oil producing regions. “The most glaring result is the rise in GDP (to 1.40%), partly attributed to the stable and sustained level of petroleum production.

Earlier, ‘Dapo Ayoola, Managing Director & CEO of Zenith Professional Training (ZPT) Limited; the managers of the Summit, said that the platform was conceived as means for exchange of ideas on the mutually beneficial opportunities by oil, gas and power sectors.

According to Ayoola, the theme was carefully selected to deliver the maximum returns to all participants hence the addition, for the first time, an investment forum dubbed ‘Invest Energy Africa’ and a session dedicated to women in petroleum.

“Africa is the last true oil and gas frontier with more than 4,200 oil and gas blocks identified. Almost half of these blocks are open, subject to force majeure or in the application phase.

“More that 80% of the 1,300 blocks in North Africa are licensed, while in Sub-Sahara Africa, it is estimated that only about 30% of 2,900 blocks are licensed. It is evident that many new opportunities still exist, especially for the exploration and production companies that are willing to take risks,” he said.

Participants at the three day event were drawn Government/policy makers, investors in the oil, gas and power sectors in Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, among others.

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MARITIME NEWS

Damen Pioneers Shipbuilding and Vessel Supply for the Maritime Industry in Africa

By Ndubuisi Micheal Obineme

Damen offers a wide range of products, including tugs, workboats, naval and patrol vessels, high speed craft, cargo vessels, dredgers, vessels for the offshore industry, ferries, pontoons and superyachts.

For nearly all vessel types Damen offers a broad range of services, including maintenance, spare parts delivery, training and the transfer of (shipbuilding) know-how.

Damen also offers a variety of marine components, such as nozzles, rudders, anchors, anchor chains and steel works.

Damen vessels are based on thorough R&D and proven technology.

Damen is an international shipyard group, operating 33 shipbuilding and repair yards with 9,000 employees worldwide. The company has delivered over 6,000 vessels in more than 100 countries and delivers some 180 vessels annually to clients worldwide.

Damen has also supplied four of its SPa 1605 ballistic protected security patrol vessels to C&I Leasing Plc, a leading player in the Nigerian offshore support vessel market. The patrol boats is used to provide security patrol and escort services for LNG tankers calling in and out of the Nigerian LNG Bonny terminal.

Damen operates in the Africa's Maritime Industry starting from Nigeria, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Angola and beyond. The company is playing a major role to improve, innovate and invest in the region. Based on its unique, standardised ship-design concept, Damen has received certification from Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA) for aligning its quality and safety management systems with internationally recognized standards.

In previous years, Damen Shipyards Group signed a contract with Société de Transport Lagunaire (STL) to build sixteen shallow-draft passenger ferries for Ivory Coast. The contract represents part of a forward-thinking presidential plan that strives to reduce urban congestion and greenhouse gas emissions in Abidjan. The first four ferries was delivered in January 2017 and the rest will be delivered four at a time, every 8 weeks, in three batches.

Recently, Damen Shipyards Galati manufactured a Fishery Research Vessel (FRV) 7417 for the Angolan Ministry of Fisheries. The sponsor of the vessel, named Baía Farta, was Dra. Isabel Cristóvão, director of Gabinete de Estudos, Planeamento e Estatística. The Ministry is a long-standing client of Damen, having previously taken delivery of two 62-metre Fishery Inspection Vessels 6210 and a smaller FRV 2808. This new vessel boasts a number of state-of-the-art features.

The FRV has Silent A/F/R Class notation. Close attention is being paid to the design, construction and outfitting of the vessel in order to minimise noise and vibration both on board and underwater.

The FRV 7417 is suited to various purposes, including hydrographic operations, acoustics research, pelagic and demersal trawling, plankton, water, environmental and geographical sampling, oil recovery and emergency towing operations.

Friso Visser, Damen Regional Director Africa, said: “This vessel represents the future of fishery research, featuring cutting-edge technologies to make operations both sustainable and comfortable. She will enable the Angolan Fisheries Ministry to carry out research into its fishing grounds that will help to develop and preserve the nation’s industry and environment.”

Just over a year after it took delivery of two FCS 3307 Patrol vessels, Homeland Integrated Offshore Services Limited of Nigeria ordered one more of the same class with an option on a second, to be named Guardian 3 and Guardian 4. The two vessels are being supplied as a turnkey solution. The Damen Group is taking care of delivery and crew training, as well as the design and build. Damen’s Local Service Hub in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, ensures that maintenance, repairs and any additional support is handled by Damen engineers.

In addition to ship design and shipbuilding, Damen has a worldwide network of 16 repair and conversion yards with dry docks ranging up to 420 x 80 metres. Conversion projects range from adapting vessels to today’s requirements and regulations to the complete conversion of large offshore structures. Damen completes around 1,500 repair and maintenance jobs annually.

News in Pictures

Damen Fishery Research Vessel (FRV) 7417

Damen Shoalbuster 3009 multi-purpose workboats

Baía Farta features a basic design from Skipsteknisk. Her construction has been an international project, involving input from Damen Shipyards Gorinchem and Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding in the Netherlands, with building taking place at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania.

Damen passenger and vehicle ferry, contains 2,000 persons

www.oilandgasrepublic.com

Damen SPa 1605ballistic protected security patrol vessels

page 46

Vienna, Austria

PETROLEUM – COOPERATION FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE 20–21 June 2018 Hofburg Palace | Vienna, Austria

The 7th OPEC International Seminar focuses on cooperation in the petroleum industry in order to ensure a sustainable future.

Hear directly from OPEC Member Country Ministers and international oil company CEOs on the topical issues that really matter

learn more:

www.opecseminar.org