The Ghana Chamber of Mines (GCoM) has supported the West African Mining and Power Exhibition (Wampex) for the past 20 years, and will continue to do so, says GCoM public affairs and environment director Ahmed Nantogmah.

Since its inception, Wampex has provided a platform for West Africa’s mining and power industries to showcase new suppliers, new technologies and new mining techniques.

This year’s event will run from May 28 to 30 at the Accra International Convention Centre, in Ghana.

Nantogmah speaks positively about the long-standing collaboration between the GCoM and Wampex, which he describes as the two ‘giants’ in West African mining.

Wampex, which has been the main mining industry exhibition in West Africa for two decades, is the most sought-after event on the region's mining calendar, with its growth and expansion directly linked to the growth of the mining industry in the West African subregion over the same period, says Nantogmah.

“The GCoM has two key objectives: to promote and protect the interests of the Ghanaian and West African mining industries, and to establish thought leadership to find solutions for national mining issues,” he says, adding that the Wampex 2014 conference and exhibition will help to achieve this.

In addition to providing delegates with a networking opportunity, Wampex brings stakeholders together to brainstorm ideas on how to improve their respective sectors. It also serves as a platform for governments, operators and suppliers to explore ideas on how to use mining and energy as a catalyst for development.

Nantogmah says that the region’s mining sector is still growing, with huge reserves of natural resources yet to be tapped. “However, a stable supply of energy at competitive prices, as well as the apparent lack of a stable fiscal and regulatory policy to guide the sectors, pose a challenge.

He adds, however, that most West African governments are working towards stabilising regulatory policies and are showing a willingness to consult with the private sector about their concerns and opinions regarding the preparation of policies that will guide their respective mining and energy sectors. “For example, the government of Ghana consulted with the GCoM about the introduction of a windfall profits tax,” says Nantogmah.

Wampex also supports the development of natural resources in an environment-friendly and cost-effective manner. “Wampex provides knowledge and information and promotes growth in the West African mining sector, which benefits national economies and communities. This, in turn, spurs development without unduly affecting the environment,” says Nantogmah.

Meanwhile, in light of the upcoming conference and expo, Nantogmah says he is looking forward to another interactive and educational event that identifies challenges, stimulates ideas, explores practical solutions and reveals new, bigger and better opportunities for mining and energy projects in Ghana and West Africa.

Wampex 2014 is an international expo for equipment, technology and consumables suppliers and service providers to West Africa’s rapidly growing power and mining sectors.

The event is organised by event planner and coordinator Exhibition Management Services, in association with EPI Events and Projects International.