Junior Mining & Exploration: Diary announcement

With the explicit mandate to promote investment, development, growth and sustainability, the Junior Mining & Exploration Conference & Exhibition is primed as the platform to explore the latest opportunities and success strategies for junior to mid-tier mining companies - from exploration to production within Southern Africa.

CEOs, entrepreneurs and leading mining executives, are securing their places at this premier, inaugural event, which has attracted a host of over 40 prominent speakers across the mining landscape.

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Says conference chair, Bernard Swanepoel, CEO Village Main Reef, "The junior mining sector is critical for future job creation. Certain sectors of the South African mining industry are in deep crisis, as recently witnessed in the platinum belt labour disputes. This is therefore the ideal time for a forum, which brings together the mining industry, investors, and other key stakeholders, to drive interventions, in an attempt to take the industry forward."

Snapshot of the unrivalled panel of speakers:

Industry Organisations and Stakeholders:
South African Mining Development Association (SAMDA) - Peter Temane
Chamber of Mines of South Africa - Dr Xolani Mkhwanazi and Bheki Sibiya
National Union of Mine Workers - Frans Baleni
Transnet Freight Rail - Siyabonga Gama
Council for Geoscience - Stewart Foya
Chief Executive, Eskom - Brian Dames

Leading figures in the mining industry:

Bernard Swanepoel, CEO, Village Main Reef
Michael Solomon, J&J Group and former CEO, Wesizwe Platinum
Rob Still, Chairperson, Pangea Group and former Director, Metorex
Richard Linnell, former Chairperson, Coal of Africa
Nchakha Moloi, Executive Chairman, Motjoli Resources
Steve Phiri, CEO, Royal Bafokeng Platinum
Daphne Mashile-Nkosi, Chairperson, Kalahari Resources
Michael Spicer, Business Leadership SA
John Wallington, CEO, Coal of Africa
Philip Kotze, CEO, Wits Gold
Moss Radingoana, Sekoko Resources
Paul Miller, former CEO, Keaton Energy
Dr Lelau Mohuba, CEO, Sephaku Holdings
James Campbell, CEO, Rockwell Diamonds
Tony Harwood, CEO, Montero Mining & Exploration

PLUS:

Godfrey Gomwe, Anglo American
Ernst Venter, Exxaro
Neil Gardyne, New Africa Mining Fund
Noah Greenhill, Sasfin Capital
Frank Gregory, The Mineral Corporation
Andrew Mitchell, Bell Dewar
Peter Leon, Webber Wentzel
Chris Stephens, Werksmans Attorneys

AND MANY MORE...

Fundamental conference issues to be addressed, include:

• Creating an optimal policy and regulatory environment for attracting investments, enabling juniors and facilitating growth
  
• Increase investor appetite for exploration ventures and long-term funding for juniors
  
• Exploration trends and strategies for juniors in South Africa and the mining economies of the SADC region: risks and opportunities
  
• Attracting private equity funding for mining projects
  
• Forging a common purpose between industry and mining communities
  
• Fast-tracking development in the junior sector: geoscience initiatives, transportation infrastructure, power supply initiatives
  
• Experiences of juniors in building successful mining companies
  
• Navigating the regulatory environment as a junior

IIR BV SA Project Manager, Paula Munsie, adds that although there are many challenges for mining companies to face; there exist many great prospects in Southern Africa, in almost all commodity sectors including: coal, gold, manganese, iron ore, rare earths, chrome, copper, platinum, diamonds and more. "Through debates, discussions and networking, the conference will provide an opportunity to gain valuable insights from a plethora of principal executives and entrepreneurs, on where these openings lie and what it takes to succeed in the world of junior mining."

Three easy ways to register:

Call IIR BV SA on: + 27 (0) 11 771 7000
Email: az.oc.rii@snoitartsiger
Online: www.juniormining.co.za
Visit: www.juniormining.co.za for a full list of speakers and the first agenda release.