Abowerbung
Home » Archive News In Brief » News in Brief 2017 » News in Brief 05_2017 » German Mining Network: Collaboration is expanding

German Mining Network: Collaboration is expanding

The Competence Centre for Mining and Mineral Resources of the German-Chilean Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CAMCHAL) in Santiago/Chile, has recently participated in several presentations held by the German Mining Network (GMN) in Germany. The response to the Network, which was founded in December 2016, has been overwhelmingly positive. An increase in activities is on the horizon.

The GMN held a workshop in Berlin/Germany on 31st May 2017 on the opportunities, challenges and risks on international raw materials markets. In addition to presenting the work of the Competence Centres and current trends on the respective markets through a panel, a key focal point was companies’ duty of care in the supply chain. Within this context, the EU regulation on conflict minerals and the work of the National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises were presented, among other topics. In addition, practical examples were presented on securing sustainable raw material extraction from the perspective of different companies.

CAMCHAL also took part in the Network’s event at the Hagen Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the DMT mining conference, among others. “Our joint activities with the German Mining Network were a complete success. The event in Berlin on opportunities, challenges and risks on international raw materials markets was well attended, and not only offered panels and presentations, but also allowed time for networking between companies, universities, political institutions and NGOs,” explains Johanna Sternberg, Head of DEinternational, CAMCHAL.

Important contacts were brought together at the DMT Mining Forum too, allowing talks to be held. “The participants in the Mining Forum are the exact target group that the GMN wants to reach. That makes this key industry event the perfect platform for networking. These joint activities give companies and institutions in Germany a unique chance to meet representatives of the six Competence Centres in one place at the same time. The feedback was very positive and we are looking forward to expanding our activities in future,” says Ms Sternberg.

In addition, the opportunity was taken to hold an internal meeting with partners in the extended network – which the renowned mining universities Clausthal Technical University and RWTH Aachen University have also joined recently – again after six months. “At this meeting, the partners highlighted the positive effects, which are already visible, of the German Mining Network and reaffirmed their intention to expand the partnership,” says Ms Sternberg.

The GMN consists of six international Competence Centres for Mining and Mineral Resources at German Chambers of Commerce Abroad in Australia, Brazil, Chile, Canada, Peru and Southern Africa, the German Mineral Resources Agency (DERA) at the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Raw Materials (BGR) and Germany Trade and Invest (GTAI). The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) supports and accompanies the network’s activities, while the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) has a coordinating role. The Network focuses on German businesses and institutions with both domestic and international operations in the raw materials sector. In addition to mining suppliers, mining companies and raw materials traders, this also includes raw materials processors, buyers and consultants, as well as research institutes and political representatives and associations. (Wilken/Si.)