Japanese State-owned independent administrative institution Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (Jogmec) will exhibit at the Investing in African Mining Indaba to educate visitors about the company’s activities and functions and to identify potential new projects.

The indaba will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from February 3 to 6.

Former assistant GM, Jogmec London office Yoshihiro Kojima tells Mining Weekly that the company is in charge of securing a stable supply of oil and natural gas and of ensuring a stable supply of nonferrous metal and mineral resources to the State of Japan.

It is also responsible for the implementation of mine pollution control measures in the country.

“Jogmec aims to gather important information during the indaba about the African resources industries and to expand our business networks,” states Kojima, adding that the company has been attending the indaba since 2004.

He further highlights that there are many useful sessions and presentations that the company is looking forward to attending, including the keynote addresses, the African Mining Ministerial Sessions and non-African government presentations.

“Events, such as the Mining Indaba, play a major role in facilitating investment opportunities for the African mining industry,” he states.

African Operations

In August 2013, Jogmec signed a joint survey agreement with the Seychelles Ministry Responsible for Hydrocarbons and Seychelles national oil company PetroSeychelles to evaluate the country’s offshore hydrocarbon potential.

Based on this agreement, Jogmec will conduct joint geological and geophysical surveys, including a seismic survey with PetroSeychelles, for two years, under the exploration licence granted by the Seychelles government.

Jogmec states that, since the “remarkable” discovery in October 2013 when early surveys indicated a significantly large gasfield off the coast of Mozambique, hydrocarbon exploration activities have been conducted by several international companies, the names of which Jogmec is not at liberty to disclose. Successful discoveries have been made off the coast of Eastern Africa by these companies.

“Considering geological similarities between offshore Seychelles and Eastern African countries, we expect promising results through the Seychelles joint survey and the expansion of exploration activities by Japanese companies in the Seychelles,” says Jogmec.

Further, Jogmec states that, to secure a supply of natural resources and energy to Japan, it is continuously seeking potential areas through using overseas geological and geophysical surveys that can potentially create several business opportunities for Japanese companies.