With less than one week to go, and with the explicit mandate to promote investment, development, growth and sustainability, the Junior Mining & Exploration Conference & Exhibition has already attracted CEOs, entrepreneurs and leading mining executives, all of whom have secured their places at this premier, inaugural event. Boasting over 50 prominent speakers across the mining landscape, it is certainly primed as the platform to explore the latest opportunities and success strategies for junior to mid-tier mining companies - from exploration to production within Southern Africa.
Conference Chair and Village Main Reef CEO, Bernard Swanepoel, is looking forward to the extensive debates, discussions and networking opportunities, through the interactions of an unrivalled panel of speakers, as well as participating delegates.
Swanepoel shares his thoughts on the current state of the junior mining landscape: "The junior mining sector is critical for job creation in the future, yet, at the same time, circumstances in South Africa and the rest of the world, make it a very difficult place for mines to be right now. Parts of the industry are in deep crisis as we have seen in the platinum sector, which is why this is an ideal time for a forum that brings together the mining industry, investors and other stakeholders, in an attempt to drive initiatives that take the industry forward.
"This conference brings together some of the leading CEOs in the mining industry, all dealing on a daily basis with the challenges of creating successful business in difficult times. It is an opportunity for you to join in debating some of the important issues such as how to attract investment, create jobs, build a long-term sustainable business, remain competitive and demonstrate a track record of delivering profits consistently.
"Engaging meaningfully with communities as stakeholders and linking mining activities to local economic development, are some of the important considerations faced by all mining companies in order to ensure long-term sustainability of their businesses and a mining industry that is both environmentally friendly and socially responsible.
"These are some of the many challenges mining companies face, yet we shouldn't forget there are many great prospects in both South Africa and the rest of Africa, in almost all commodity sectors. The conference will be an opportunity to gain valuable insights from many leading executives and entrepreneurs on where these openings may lie and what it takes to succeed in the world of junior mining," concludes Swanepoel.
Call IIR BV SA on: + 27 (0) 11 771 7000
Email: az.oc.rii@snoitartsiger
Online: www.juniormining.co.za
Visit: www.juniormining.co.za for a full list of speakers and the first agenda release.
Bernard is the joint CEO of Village Main Reef, a South African based company that seeks to create self sustaining, socially responsible mining entities through smart acquisitions. The intention is to optimise these assets and return the value created to shareholders.
Bernard holds BSc (Min Eng) and BCom (Hons) degrees and started his career with Gengold in 1983, culminating in his appointment as general manager of Beatrix Mines in 1993. After joining Randgold in 1995 as MD of the Harmony mine, Bernard became CEO of Harmony from 1997 to 2007. Bernard is a non-executive board member of Sanlam and ARM and Partner of To The Point Growth Specialists. He is Non-executive Chairman of Savannah Mining, a private UK exploration company, exploring for Gold in Nigeria.
