Australia to assist Africa's mining sector

Australia miners are to assist Africa to exploit its mineral resources, a statement from the Australian High Commission on Monday said. It said Australia's role in Africa's mining sector would be showcased at the premier mining conference in Cape Town, South Africa, next week, on the theme: "Mining Indaba 2007" to support the Australian Government’s promotion in the sector in Africa. Mr Jonathan Richardson, Australian High Commissioner in Ghana, together with other Australian heads of mission in Africa would attend Indaba to support the Australian Government’s promotion, backed by major mining companies led by BHP Billiton. He said the event would afford an opportunity for the Ghanaian delegation and other representatives from West Africa to get acquainted with Australian companies active in the sector. Mr Philip Green, Australian High Commissioner to South Africa, said Australian mining companies were making a substantial contribution to the development of Africa's resource sector. "Australia mining and resource investment in Africa is in order of 15 billion dollars and a large proportion of new ventures on the African Continent have an Australian involvement. "The resource industry is pivotal for Africa's future - how well it is managed will largely determine whether the prosperity sought in Africa over decades can be achieved.” Mr Green said the Australian mining industry was bringing to Africa not only high standards in mining itself and in advanced mining technologies, but also the delivery of environmental protection, corporate social responsibility and community development. Currently, major Australian mining projects are underway in countries such as South Africa; Ghana; Guinea; Senegal; Mali; Mozambique; Zambia and Tanzania. Gold, copper, nickel, coal, iron ore, mineral sands and uranium are among the resources being mined. GNA