Australia-based mining conference organiser International Mining and Metals (IMM) Events, which forms part of the Informa group, is organising the second Botswana Coal and Energy Conference, based on the success of the inaugural conference held in November 2011.

This year’s event will be held on April 16 and 17 at the International Convention Centre, in Gaborone.

IMM Events conference director Diana Lauzi says that Botswana represents one of Africa’s most exciting new coal and energy provinces and it has generated considerable attention within the African and international coal, energy and investment industries.

“With this in mind, we started working with the Botswana government and the coal industry on the first conference, which was successful.

“The attendees had the opportunity to receive first-hand information on the coal potential of Botswana through valuable presentations by government, companies operating in Botswana and investors. “The positive feedback we received after the event prompted us to follow up with this year’s conference,” she adds.

Lauzi notes that the inaugural event attracted more than 100 delegates and IMM Events expects the same turnout for this year’s event.

“The attendees come from countries including Australia, Mozambique, Singapore, South Africa, the US, Canada, India and Japan. “They range from CEOs, business development directors and MDs to investors, commercial managers, export sales managers, geologists, operations managers, regional GMs representing mining companies, and coal buyers and users, as well as industry suppliers and consultants. The attendees also include representatives from investment houses and infrastructure and transport companies, as well as government departments,” she says.

Lauzi notes that the theme for this year’s event focuses on taking the next step for the industry.