InfoMine's websites provide access to one of the largest, most fully integrated sources of worldwide mining and mineral exploration information. Moneyweb's Mineweb.com, which is operated out of London, is a global leader in the provision of mining and resource sector news and information.
Moneyweb CE Alec Hogg said the partnership is a quantum leap in the company's offshore expansion: “The deal catapults us into a serious global partnership. InfoMine, established in 1989 and with over five dozen full-time staffers, is the most comprehensive mining data and information offering in the world covering over 16 000 individual mining properties. You cannot be involved in the mining sector without knowing and using InfoMine.”
Andy Robertson, internationally respected engineer in the mining industry and founder and president of InfoMine, said: “We are delighted and excited about the partnership and look forward to it growing in scope with time. We will do our best to make this first step a great success. We believe that the synergies between our respective offerings will translate into an improved product for users whose numbers we expect to increase, along with the number of pages they read when visiting InfoMine and Mineweb.”
Added Hogg, “InfoMine's base stretches across all time zones but is especially strong in the key North American market, and also produces Spanish and Portuguese editions for South America. There are many opportunities for the two companies to partner on a wider basis. But we are mindful that getting the first step right is the immediate priority.
“By integrating Mineweb.com into InfoMine, users of both services will experience a significant improvement in the richness and quality of information – turning them into a one-stop shop for all mining interests – from the operators and suppliers through to investors and financiers. It will be mining's most comprehensive data and news offering in the world.”
Many of InfoMine's over 410 000 unique monthly users will be exposed to Mineweb's editorial content for the first time when the partnership launches in late March.
“InfoMine enjoys a very strong and loyal audience, the majority of whom are not currently exposed to Mineweb,” says Hogg. “Exposure to the large InfoMine audience will have a positive impact on the reach of Mineweb.com, with obvious benefits for its advertisers.
”It also provides a useful uplift in our offering from a technology perspective. For instance the ability to contextually link adverts with content through key words will be implemented and maintained by InfoMine on Mineweb.”
Advertising on Mineweb will be sold by both the existing Mineweb team and the sales arm of InfoMine. Advertising on InfoMine's public company, property and news pages will also be handled by this expanded team.
Mineweb content will continue to be produced under the leadership of a team managed by London-based editor Lawrie Williams. Since mid-2006, under Williams' stewardship Mineweb has significantly grown both its audience and revenues. It is once again making a positive bottom line contribution to Moneyweb Holdings, best known through the South African investment and news website www.moneyweb.co.za.
Williams has established a wide network of global contributors, resulting in an improved editorial product providing global coverage.
