Katanga Mining Week in the DRC: crucial industry meeting with expo and technical workshops

LUBUMBASHI, Congo, The DR of - Sept. 29, 2014 - PRLog -- Cutting edge technology and practical workshops for the mining industry will be the main focus of the upcoming Katanga Mining Week taking place in Lubumbashi from 28-29 October. “For the past 5 years, the Katanga Mining Week has been the only international event for mining operations in DRC’s copper sector that concentrates on the strategic and technical mining operations specifically for the Copperbelt region” says event director Nicole Smith. This year up to 1000 participants are expected at the conference and exhibition.

Nicole continues: “Katanga Mining Week has earned the support and loyalty of the industry because we make sure that we stay relevant, it is for the industry, by the industry. The incredible growth of our event shows that it has become a crucial annual meeting for all the mining operators, services, technologies and equipment providers, looking forward to integrate the Copperbelt and meet with existing clients and prospective partners.”

Industry support
The DRC’s Ministry of Mines is an official supporter of this year’s event again and so far Katanga Mining Week has also already secured impressive industry support through the diamond sponsorship by Kamoto Copper Company (KCC) as well as Engen, MMG, Tenke Fungurume Mining and Tiger Resources Limited, as platinum sponsors.

Says Gustave Nzeng, Chairman of Kamoto Copper Company: “the mining industry is constantly in evolution, and attracts a considerable number of investors in the region. The event gives the opportunity for key decision makers to share their reflections and strategies to boost the mining sector.”

MMG Kinsevere General Manager Miles Naude agrees: “events such as Katanga Mining Week enable the sharing of knowledge, collaboration and engagement across industry that is not always possible during the busy schedule of day-to-day operations.”

Four days of activities
The Katanga Mining Week in Lubumbashi will provide activities over four days for the entire copper and cobalt mining value chain, including: a CEO Golf Day; a main conference addressing operational issues like transport and energy infrastructure, training and skills development and corporate social responsibility in the mining sector; an outdoor exhibition and product demonstrations; site visits to mining operations in the province and technical workshops on the expo floor.

Conference speaker highlights include:
•    Moise Katumbi Chapwe, Governor of Katanga Province
•    Simon Tuma-Waku, Vice-President DRC Chamber of Mines
•    Audax Sompwe, Minister of Mines, Katanga Province
•    Oscar Melhado, Country representative, International Monetary Fund
•    Representative, Gecamines, DRC

“Not only are we gathering the key investors and mining companies of the DRC” says Nicole Smith, we also attract companies and investors from South Africa, Zambia, Congo Brazzaville and France, participating in the increasing globalisation of the region.”

The exhibition will showcase the high-tech products and services of 45 solution providers to the copper and cobalt mining sectors and more than 10 outdoor exhibitors, including DEM Group, Congo Equipment, Atlas Copco, AEL Mining Services, Bond Equipment, SMT Group and many other well-known names in the industry.

Katanga Mining Week is also offering free-to-attend workshops on the exhibition floor for all visitors. The workshops will focus on key issues and challenges in the mining sector including daily operations, exploration and mining safety.

Says Nicole Smith: “you will hear geologists, metallurgists, and others experts getting deeper into the nitty gritty of exploration, production and processing. The workshops will contribute to improve the expertise of mining personnel in the field, giving them the right tools and skills to excel at their jobs. This year, we will also provide insights into shaft sinking, blasting as well as latest development in welding and much more.”

iPAD DRC
Prior to the Katanga Mining Week, the 10th edition of the iPAD DRC Mining & Infrastructure Indaba takes place at the Fleuve Congo Hotel in Kinshasa from 22-23 October.

Both events are organised by Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and the African office of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK.

Katanga Mining Week dates and venue:
Conference and expo: 28-29 October 2014
Golf Day: 26 October 2014
Site visits: 27 October 2014
Conference venue: Grand Karavia Hotel - Lubumbashi

Event website: http://www.ipad-katanga.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/IPAD_DRC

Contact:
Communications manager:  Annemarie Roodbol
Telephone: +27 21 700 3558
Mobile: +27 21 82 562 7844
Email:  annemarie.roodbol@spintelligent.com