Video: 2012 Eritrea Third Mining Conference - Interview with Investors
October 9, 2012
Asmara Mining Conference 2012: Promoting Integrated Approach towards
Sustainable Development
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Friday, 05 October 2012 10:59 | Written by Kesete Ghebrehiwet
http://www.shabait.com/images/stories/shabimages/mining-conference-ii.jpgThe
mining sector has been the major interest of junior and big companies and
enterprises. With the discovery of new mining areas such companies have been
expanding their branches to areas that interest them most. Eritrea is one
among the countries which has attracted a number of exploration and mining
companies as well as other service giver companies from around the world.
With this new development, it has become very crucial to open a discussion
platform for the mining companies and mining related service giver
companies. So, this year's Asmara Mining Conference is just the sequel of
last year's Geo Congress and that of such discussion held in 2010 where
experts in the mining sector, investors and other interested participants
shared views of mutual interests.
The Asmara Mining Conference of 2012 has therefore shade a light on the
developments registered since last year's Geo Congress. Hence, experts in
the mining sector have presented key note speech in their areas of
specialties and the mining companies and service giving companies gave
update information on the activities that have been carried out to date.
Delegates from Saudi Arabia, Republics of Sudan and South Sudan and from
republic of Yemen and other also presented papers on the overall mineral
potentials in their respective countries with an association to the Arabian
Nubian Shield.
The morning hour of 2 September 2012 was the opening of the mining
conference. Eritrea's Minister of Mines and Energy Mr. Ahmad Haj Ali
accorded worm welcome to delegates, mining experts, and participants of the
conference.
It is important to bear in mind that Eritrea has a firm stance in
strengthening regional integration as is the corner stone to the development
of mutual cooperation. Thus, the Minister of Mines and Energy emphasized the
need for ensuring the economic integration of the Arabian Nubian Shield
Region as an effective means to achieving the set objectives of sustainable
development through removing barriers that could delay the mineral-based
industrialization.
"The government's mineral sector development strategy aims at encouraging
diversified investments that ensure optimum exploration, extraction,
processing and marketing of its mineral deposits." Mr. Ahmed Haj Ali
underscored, "Great emphasis is given to the socio-economic and
environmental impact of the industry."
Hence, the discussion held at the conference and the papers presented about
the marketability of mining production, socio-economic and environmental
have relevance with such policies. It is however important to notice such a
goal could only be achieved with the collaboration of mining companies
working in Eritrea. That is why Mr. Ahmed said, "We are delighted to have
you all share with us an important mile stone in our progress towards a more
sustainable future."
As there have been mining sites that are about to start mining, the major
focus of the conference was on the safety, sustainability, socio-economic
and environmental impact of mining and, of course, the commercial aspect of
it.
Prof. Maarten Johan De Wit from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
presented a key note speech in the title "Earth stewardship science-with
everybody a stake holder." In his presentation Prof. Maarten discussed
about future prospects of energy and also about various factors which are
the very cause for the decline of resources and making imbalances to the
ecosystem through endangering the natural resources. Mr. Kelvin Moxham,
general manager of Bisha mining Share Company gave update information of
exploration and mining activities. The ongoing development in Zara
exploration and mine site was also presented by Mr. Michael Kelly, General
Manager of the Zara share company.
In the afternoon hours of the presentation and discussion session, Mr.
Leonardus Johann Gerber from the University of Dundee also discussed about
'Emerging Trends in the Regulation of the Mining sector' that include
corruption and transparency, dispute resolution, environmental concerns and
mine enclosure. An update of Asmara exploration activities was also
presented by Mr. Mike Hopley, President and CEO of sunridge Gold Corp.
Day one of the conferences was closed with the presentation of Mr. Alem
Kibreab, Director General of Department of Mines in the Ministry of Mines
and Energy. Mr. Alem highlighted about the endeavors that have been exerted
in human resource development in relation to the mining sector. He cited
activities of Bisha mining share company as exemplary. According to Mr. Alem
the human power succession plan needs to include educating locals, giving
employment opportunity for women, as well as equally training both artisanal
miners and senior experts which could in turn impact the growth of the
mining companies. The Development of Geothermal Resources and how Eritrea
could be benefited from such a resource was also among the discussion
points. "The collection, management and utilization of an integrated
Geo-data Base in Eritrea" was also presented by Mr. Abdulkadir Ibrahim and
Mr. Awet Fisssehtsion. Such information was indeed of a tremendous value for
the exploration and mining companies that have been operating in Eritrea.
Other papers presented in the conference were also of a good importance
towards sharing valuable ideas among experts and service givers in the
mining sector.
There are mine sites that are expected to increase the mine life of Bisha
Share Company. Thus, Harena- a small gold mine would give extra life to the
quite encouraging achievements of the company. Thus, Bisha mining project is
expected to be extended to Harena and with the acquisition of the North West
area it would later be expanded to Hambok- an area around Mogoribe.
http://www.shabait.com/images/stories/shabimages/october-4-mining.jpgBisha
mining project has indeed pioneered the mining activity into tangible
developments. Exploration and mining activities that have been carried out
in different sites are also really encouraging. The Zara mining project
which is now owned by China SFECO group Shanghai and by ENAMCO, each holding
a share of 60% and 40% respectively, would become the next successful
mineralization activity next to that of Bisha. Shipment of construction
materials is expected to happen in December 2012. The Koka Gold Mine which
is licensed under the Zara project is of outstanding potential. The
necessary precautions have already been underway that around 500 persons
would be resettled from kaka valley to Geftio - a site where the new
settlers would find access to water sources. Site construction is expected
to start within the coming 6 months and the first gold pour and success
announcement is expected to be in 2014.
The exploration and mining activities that have been carried out in Eritrea
would not only become a stepping stone for the improvement of the mining
sector but would impact the infrastructural development of other sectors as
well. In the course of constructing or renovating roads networks that pass
along the main route to the mining sites, better road connectives would be
constructed. For instance, the main road access to the Koka site has been
the route that goes from keren through Akordet, Mogoribe, and kerkebet to
the targeted destination. Hence, the access form kerkebet which is in a poor
condition would be upgraded so as to provide an effective and safe all
weather access. The development in the mining sector would also increase the
rate of employment opportunities for the companies would look for local
labor.
What is more is that the sustainability of the mining activities that have
begun in Eritrea would be secured with the finding of feeder sites which are
expected to add resources to the already begun mining activities. As such,
Konate, Debre Kunate, Debre Tseada and areas south of Koka would add gold
resources to the Koka mine. As mining works already started the construction
of initial temporary camp for 350 workers would is also about to be speed
up.
Remarkably the Asmara project which embraces Asmara, Emba Derho, Adi Nifas
and Dubarwa sites would become the largest Gold mine project in Eritrea and
particularly the deposit in Emba Derho. The main processing plant would be
in Embo Derho for is the largest deposit of the other Asmara's mine
projects.
Even though looking for a better alternative, Sun Ridge is planning to
develop the Dubarwa mine as a standalone project. Socio-economic and
environmental assessments has been done so as to properly address water and
land issues.
Colluli potash mine has also shown remarkable progress. The South Boulder is
about to complete Definite feasibility study by July 2013 and is looking
forward to start site construction between 2014 and 2015 and the first
production would be in 2016. (Shabait)
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Received on Tue Oct 09 2012 - 22:20:55 EDT
