Attached please find a press release on: Australia's mining fraternity has been encouraged to be the catalyst for boosting the country's current levels of A$20 billion investment in Africa's economy, particularly Africa's mineral opportunities.

Delivering the opening address today of the three day Paydirt 2010 Africa Downunder Conference, in Perth, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Dennis Richardson, said the growth of Australia's investment in Africa had been impressive - led by our exploration and mining companies.