Bigger-than-ever DRC Mining Week will focus on battery metals, finance and junior mining

LUBUMBASHI, Congo, The DR of - Feb. 25, 2020 - PRLog -- The Honourable Prof Willy Kitobo Samsoni, DRC's Minister of Mines will address the opening session of this year's DRC Mining Week exhibition and conference, taking place in Lubumbashi from 7-9 October. This will be the 16th edition of the event, which has grown substantially over the last few years to become the largest mining, construction and energy expo on the Copperbelt with more than 5000 local and international mining stakeholders and influencers.

"It is clear that the global mining community is taking notice of the enormous potential of the DRC," says event director Elodie Delagneau, adding, "and DRC Mining Week has grown with the country's mining sector, the true crown of the Copperbelt."

Strategic battery metals
"With the support of the Ministry of Mines, the Federation of Congolese Enterprises (FEC) and strategic partners" states Ms Delagneau, "DRC Mining Week has become the only platform for new and existing stakeholders looking to invest in strategic commodities, thanks to this country's generous reserves of copper, gold, diamonds, cobalt, lithium and coltan amongst others. The growing numbers of electric vehicles has also rapidly increased the demand for strategic battery metals."

The programme for this year has just been launched with strategic metals, finance and juniors high on the agenda.

Confirmed speakers include:

- The Honourable Prof Willy Kitobo Samsoni, Minister of Mines, DRC
- Amedeo Anniciello, CEO, Standard Bank, DRC
- Mark Davis, Managing Director, Glencore, Australia
- Cosmas Milton Ochieng, Director, African Natural Resources Centre, DRC
- Louis Watum, President, Chamber of Mines, DRC
- Nigel Ferguson, Managing Director, AVZ Minerals Limited, Australia
- H.E Richard Muyej Mangez Mans, Governor, Lualaba Province, DRC
- John Wates, Chairman, Fraser Alexander, South Africa
- Boris Kamstra, Executive Director, Alphamin Resources Corporation, South Africa

The conference programme comprises seven focus areas:
- Commodities focus
- Technology and Innovation
- Trade and Collaboration
- Polices and Regulation
- Power and Energy
- Junior Mining Forum
- Infrastructure and Industrialisation

Definite conference highlights will include the Women in Mining session, a dedicated Junior Mining Forum, new technology and innovation, power challenges in DRC's mining sector, local skills development and creating a "Made in the DRC" brand as well as a discussion on legalising artisanal mining.

Business+social=DEALS
"The Congolese take their business AND their hospitality very seriously" laughs Elodie, adding "DRC Mining Week is a place where plenty of deals are made, year after year, and once again we will make sure there is plenty of opportunity for networking and informal interaction so that the conversations can continue and the local beer can flow." These include the golf day, the business matchmaking platform and the welcome cocktail.
http://www.drcminingweek.com