South Africa-based co-organisers of the West African Mining and Power Exhibition (Wampex), Exhibition Management Services (EMS), says it is all systems go for the upcoming biennial event, which will be held at the Accra International Conference Centre, in Ghana, from May 28 to 30.

“For 20 years, Wampex has been bringing industry stakeholders together and has provided a platform that creates ideal networking conditions. It has also fostered the development of strong relationships between miners, governments and service providers and it has enabled various governments to add value to the mining and power sectors,” says EMS MD John Thomson.

He adds that, since Wampex’s inception in 1994, the event has introduced new suppliers, ideas, technologies, services and products to several West African mining operators. It has also played a critical role in the development of technical and human resources, as well as infrastructure.

“Leading mining houses, such as AngloGold Ashanti, Gold Fields, Newmont and Golden Star Resources, join their suppliers every two years to showcase their joint operations on the exhibition floor – something that does not happen anywhere else in the world.

Rated as the best trade show in West Africa, Wampex’s comprehensive regional government and industry support offer an unrivalled opportunity for mining industry stakeholders to network with decision-makers who are active in the Economic Community of West African States region,” he details.

Wampex 2012 boasted more than 100 exhibitors from more than 13 countries. At the time of going to print, more than 120 exhibitors from 15 countries were scheduled to participate in this year’s event, with visitors representing more than 25 countries expected to attend.

Partnering with India
India has been identified as the partner nation for this year’s Wampex event, with the partnership being steered under the leadership of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), a nongovernmental, nonprofit, and industry-led and -managed business association. The CII was founded 118 years ago and has more than 7 100 members from the private and public sectors.

“India is extremely proud to be the partner nation for Wampex 2014. Our advisory and consultative role is undertaken with the aim of creating a sustainable environment for the development of India, partner industries, government and civil society. This partnership also ties in well with India’s strategic growth and development plan,” explains CII executive director and head of trade affairs Deepak Sood.

He adds that the CII aims to help build West Africa’s power and mining sectors by drawing from India’s experiences. “The Indian metals and mining industry is expected to more than double, from $141.9- billion in 2011 to $305.5-billion in 2015,” says Sood.

“Further, India’s power sector is one of the most diversified in the world, comprising coal, lignite, natural gas, oil, hydroelectric and nuclear power, as well as wind and solar energy . . . India has the fifth-largest electricity generation capacity worldwide,” he adds.

Sood further highlights that a high-level delegation representing large Indian companies will participate in Wampex 2014 to explore investment and supply opportunities for Indian companies operating in West Africa.

Sood highlights iron-ore as a key commodity for India, adding that West Africa has signif- cant high-grade deposits of the mineral and that the region is accessible and provides significant future revenue potential.