Australia
On 23rd September 2016, approximately 200 people attended the South Australian Resources Industry Innovation Summit in Adelaide. In addition to presentations on the subject of innovation from the two largest copper producers in South Australia, BHP Billiton and OzMinerals, as well as from research institutes such as the Future Industries Institute, the University of South Australia and Deep Exploration Technologies CRC, 20 companies had the opportunity to give a brief presentation of their products and developments. South Australia offers investors a variety of funding opportunities and schemes as part of a highly progressive investment policy. The “Copper Strategy”, developed by the government of South Australia to guide the state shaped by copper mining into the year 2030, is particularly noteworthy in this context.
Brazil
The Chamber of Industry and Commerce (AHK) in São Paulo is planning to organise a shared stand for German companies at the next Exposibram trade fair, which is due to take place from 18th to 21st September 2017 in Belo Horizonte. Every other year, Exposibram brings together hundreds of companies, government representatives and other organisations. Alongside what is clearly the most important mining event in Brazil, a conference will also take place to determine the business opportunities available in the sector, as well as to provide a platform for political and socioeconomic debate.
Chile
The international mining trade fair “EXPONOR 2017” will take place from 15th to 19th May 2017 in Antofagasta. Once again, a shared German stand will be organised by the Centre of Excellence for Mining and Raw Materials at AHK Chile.
On 18th August 2016, the Chilean Advanced Mining Technology Center (AMTC) held a seminar on spoil tips. Owing to the particular relevance of the subject for bilateral relations between Germany and Chile, the event was sponsored by the Centre of Excellence at AHK Chile. In Chile, the issue of spoil tips has been specified as a key part of the national mining road map and is currently the focus of a number of events and projects.
Canada
The Competence Centre for Mining & Mineral Resources at the Canadian German Chamber of Industry and Commerce participated in the 3rd International Symposium on Mine Safety Science and Engineering. The Symposium took place from August 13th to 19th, 2016 in Montreal. The Competence Centre attended the symposium to strengthen its network and deepen its expertise on mine safety. With Laurentian University, Sudbury, and Mining Innovation Rehabilitation and Applied Research Corporation (MIRARCO) the Competence Centre could find cooperation partners for a conference on mine safety to be organized in 2017.
Peru
The Centre of Excellence for Mining and Raw Materials at AHK Peru presented itself at the international mining trade fair, Expomina 2016, along with businesses such as IFM, Steinert, MAN Diesel and TLT Turbo. This year’s Expomina will be the biggest yet with 1,200 stands covering an area of 45,000 m2. At 100,000 guests, the number of attendees has increased considerably since 2014 and sales are expected to reach approximately US$ 600 m. These developments reflect the potential of the Peruvian mining sector.
Southern Africa
On 15th September 2016, the ways in which bilateral partnerships may be able to provide a solution for the increasing requirements of the local content specifications in the mining sector were discussed at the Electra Mining Africa trade fair during a seminar run by the Centre of Excellence for Mineral Raw Materials at AHK Southern Africa. Assisted by the Centre of Excellence, the AHK also organised business round tables on 27th and 28th September 2016 in Johannesburg and Durban, which provided information about the mining markets in Zambia and Mozambique. A representative from the Zambian Chamber of Mines gave a presentation.
DERA
On 4th July 2016, the German Mineral Resources Agency (DERA), Berlin/Germany, presented a new research study on the demand for raw materials as a result of cutting-edge technologies to an audience of over 200 at a specialist conference at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) in Berlin.
The EU wants to pass a regulation that places restrictions on the trade of “conflict commodities”. A draft version was tabled by the European Commission back in March 2014. After six months of intense negotiations, the chief negotiators of the European Commission, the European Parliament and the European Council have reached an agreement in Brussels/Belgium, on the first key points of the regulation. The Federation of German Industry (BDI) is advocating that the regulation includes a clear definition of conflict areas and high-risk areas. (GMN/Si.)
