As preparations begin for WAMPEX 2016, three exhibitors explain why Ghana is vital to their business expansion.

Three exhibitors at this year’s West African Mining & Power Exhibition 2016 have revealed why they are exhibiting in Ghana next week. WAMPEX 2016 runs from Wednesday June 1st to Friday, June 3rd at the Accra International Conference Centre, Accra. After 22 years WAMPEX has become a major forum for the international mining and power industries, a showcase for those exhibitors who will meet key figures as well as senior government ministers.

One of the most innovative exhibitors this year is ACT ICT Ghana, which will be showing its radio system that works reliably underground and takes its power from the sun.

“Effective and safe open pit operations require complete radio coverage, especially in the pit’s deeper areas,” said company spokeswoman Elizabeth Tetteh. “After working with Motorola and the mining industry for the last 18 years, ACT ICT Ghana team has integrated a mobile repeater, solar based unit, that provides coverage inside the pit, while connected to the main radio system.”

The ACT ICT system is based on systems used by the military promising low power consumption utilising a solar generator on a trailer. And that can run for five days without sunlight. The Steel Ball Company Ltd is the UK’s only manufacturer of hot-rolled steel grinding balls and is at the show for the first time. “Our steel balls have been used worldwide in ball mills since 1922 for grinding and pulverising crushed minerals,” said Kim McDougall, spokeswoman for the exhibitor.
 
“We made a decision to exhibit at WAMPEX 2016 to help achieve the business’s development and sales worldwide.  We are also confident that this highly-respected mining related exhibition and conference will enable our company to network very effectively with key local and international mining companies, suppliers and to showcase the range of quality grinding media products.”

Engine and lubricants are key part of any mining operation and Ghana has attracted a new entrant into the market: Chevron Lubricants, also showing at WAMPEX for the first time.

Sithsaba Xhala, the company’s export marketing chief, said: “We entered the Ghana market last year via a local distributor based in Accra who is licensed to supply all Caltex and Chevron products. Our participation at WAMPEX 2016 is to showcase the availability of our superior engine oils, coolants, greases and transmission oils in the market and the financial savings and equipment longevity they can achieve when using Caltex products.”

Christine Davidson is Vice President of dmg-ems Africa, organiser of the show. She said: “There is no question the mining industry is going through challenging times but events like WAMPEX help to stimulate the industry.

“The newly-formed West African Chamber of Mines (WACOM) and the Ghana Chamber of Mines have announced their support of WAMPEX. The exhibition will open up channels of communication between these West African chambers and suppliers giving them the opportunity to showcase their products and services to these. The exhibition really provides a valuable networking platform for all these parties to engage.”

Dr Toni Aubynn of the Ghana Minerals Commission has supported the event’s importance in the sector. He said: “WAMPEX 2016 has come at an opportune time and its focus captures the very essence of the present circumstance that the mining industry faces. The Minerals Commission is of the view that this platform will provide networking opportunities to all stakeholders to share ideas and weather the storm. I extend to you all, a warm welcome to Ghana: the investment gateway to the West Africa sub-region.”

The show runs alongside the West African Mining and Power Conference (WAMPOC 2016), organised by Events & Projects International, which brings together the key figures from the mining and power sectors, as well as senior government ministers from 25 countries, in one of the world’s biggest markets.

Full details of the conference and exhibitors can be found at www.wampexghana.com