The Australian Trade Commission (ATC), which is the sponsor of the Ministerial VIP networking programme at this year’s Investing in African Mining Indaba, says it is keen to strengthen diplomatic relations with all 54 countries on the continent.

Australian high commissioner to South Africa Ann Harrap notes that both Australian companies and the government are expanding the size and geographical reach of their natural resource interests in Africa.

“Australia has diplomatic relations with all 54 countries in Africa, of which two-thirds have mining activities under way, with plenty of untapped potential in the sector,” she says.

Further, Harrap explains that, as a resource- rich country with substantial experience in both mining and development, Australia intends to help African countries derive real and sustainable benefits from their mining sectors.

Australian minerals and resources companies have more projects in Africa than in any other region of the world, with total current and projected investment estimated to be well over $45-billion.

“This is a terrific growth story and one that reflects not only Africa’s growing poli- tical stability and economic resilience but also the pioneering, results-orientated nature of Australian mining and mining services companies,” says Australia’s senior trade commissioner in Africa Greg Hull.

He points out that there are over 200 Australian companies with about 600 projects in mining exploration, extraction and processing spread across 40 countries in Africa.

“These companies bring advanced technology and high standards of occupational health and safety to Africa but, above all, they are committed to working in partnerships with local communities, which includes upskilling local workforces.”

Meanwhile, the ATC highlights that sustainable development is among the key aims of its government, with Prime Minister Julia Gillard launching the aid programme, Mining for Development, in October last year.

The initiative is aimed at improving the governance of mining resources and transparency as well as ensuring the benefits support sustainable development in Africa.

“We are keen to work closely with African countries that are committed to the effective development of their mining industries and strengthen the capacity of governments to manage and regulate the sector,” says Harrap.

The commission says Australia provides both long-term masters-level and short-term training opportunities in the mining sector under the development assistance initiative, Australia Awards for Africa programme, and that this year it will offer 135 short- and long-term scholarships.

Fields covered by the programme are geospatial information systems, occupational health and safety, regulation and resource management, sustainable management of revenue flows and managing corporate community relationships.

Further, the ATC says African professionals will also be able to access support and assistance from the International Mining for Development Centre at the University of Western Australia’s Energy and Minerals Institute.

The Australian government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the ATC and AusAID, Australia’s aid programme, says it will stage a significant national presence at the Mining Indaba taking place at the Cape Town Convention Centre from February 6 to 9.

“What started as a small business networking opportunity for some ten Australian mining companies at the event about seven years ago now has over 50 companies using two hosted locations, the large commercial Australia lounge and an official Ministers’ lounge,” says Harrap.

She also explains that the Ministers’ lounge provides an opportunity for Australian companies to discuss investment projects with senior African Mining Ministers and officials, as well as a platform for Australian officials to inform important stakeholders about the Australian government’s resources that are devoted to creating sustainable mining models.

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