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Investors from Australia have indicated interest to
invest in Nigeria’s Mining Sector.
The investment intention was disclosed by Mr. Geoff G.
Jones, the Technical Director of CGA Mining Limited, Perth,
Western Australia when he paid a working visit to the
Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mrs. Diezani Alison
– Madueke in her office in Abuja.
Mr. Jones was accompanied by Directors of his Nigerian
counterpart Mining Companies such as Tropical Mines and
Segilola Gold Limited.
While welcoming Mr. Jones and his Nigerian counterparts, the
Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mrs. Diezani Alison
– Madueke said that the intention of the Australian
investors to invest in Nigeria’s Mining Sector was a very
interesting development.
Mrs. Alison – Madueke assured that the Nigerian government
would do the necessary things to facilitate the operations
of investors in the Mines Sector for the benefit of the
investors and Nigerians.
The Minister disclosed that the Ministry of Mines and Steel
Development was aggressively putting together a framework
for the development of the sector.
She disclosed that efforts are being made by the Federal
Government to create a one stop shop for effective and
efficient co-ordination of mining operations in the country.
The Minister also disclosed that an Inter – Ministerial
Stakeholders Committee for the Sector would be inaugurated
before the end of the year to address the needs of investors
and the development of the sector.
The Minister disclosed that the Inter-Ministerial
Stakeholders Committee will be comprised of representatives
of Ministries of Mines and Steel Development, Finance,
Nigeria Customs Service among others.
The Minister commended the Australian investors for being
one of the first investors in the world to have developed a
template for the exploration and exploitation of Gold and
community agreement, adding that Nigeria was ready to learn
from that experience.
Speaking earlier, the leader of the Australian investors’
delegation, Mr. Geoff G. Jones of CGA Mining Limited Perth,
Western Australia said that the purpose of their visit is to
indicate their intention to invest in Nigeria’s Mining
Sector and to showcase what they had done in the sector
before and what they are doing now.
Mr. Jones said their request is that the Government of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria should appoint a very senior
government officer that would facilitate their Mining
operations in technical, community development and workers
community issues.
He said such an officer will guide them when they need
assistance in the Ministries of Mines and Steel Development,
Finance, Water Resources and other government agencies on
policy issues on investment in Nigeria.
Mr. Jones said they have the recipe for minerals
development, adding that they are breaking new grounds in
developing countries of the world. He added that they love
to do this in Nigeria and they are seeking for Nigeria’s
assistance.
Mr. Jones said they were the first developers of Gold Mines
in Tanzania and Mongolia.
It could be recalled that the Minister of Mines and Steel
Development, Mrs. Diezani Alison – Madueke led a Nigerian
delegation to an International Mining Conference in Perth,
Australia, tagged: “Africa Down under” from September 3 – 4,
2009. The decision of the Australian investors to invest in
Nigeria’s Mining Sector is as a result of Nigeria’s
participation at that event.
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