In a significant development aimed at enhancing Nigeria-Australia relations in the mining sector, the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Her Excellency Leilani Bin-Juda, recently paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake.
During the meeting, High Commissioner Bin-Juda extended a formal invitation to Dr. Alake to attend the esteemed African Down Under (ADU) conference, which will be held in Perth, Australia, from September 4th to 6th, 2024. She highlighted the immense opportunities the bilateral meetings at the event could bring to Nigeria, noting Australia’s prominent role in the global mining industry. Known for its abundant mineral resources and advanced mining technologies, Australia ranks among the world’s top producers of iron ore, coal, gold, and bauxite.
The discussions between Dr. Alake and High Commissioner Bin-Juda also focused on potential opportunities for Nigerian professionals to participate in short courses in mining, hosted by Australian institutions. These educational initiatives aim to enhance the skills and expertise of Nigerian experts, contributing to the further development of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
A key point of their discussion was the introduction of a new, free platform developed by Geoscience Australia specifically for Africa. This innovative platform utilizes satellite data to monitor and track mining activities across the continent, providing free, high-quality training and real-time data access. High Commissioner Bin-Juda emphasized the potential of this platform to transform how Nigeria manages and oversees its mining operations.
Accompanied by the Second Secretary of the Australian High Commission, His Excellency Anto Bouckley, the High Commissioner reaffirmed her commitment to fostering stronger ties between the two nations. She also expressed her intention to visit the Minister again following the ADU conference, signaling ongoing collaboration and partnership.
Dr. Alake expressed his gratitude for the invitation and reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to deepen its relationship with Australia, particularly in the solid minerals sector. He welcomed the potential for increased cooperation and exchange of expertise, underscoring Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Australia in the mining industry.
The upcoming ADU conference is expected to provide a strategic platform for both nations to explore further avenues of collaboration, thereby advancing the growth and development of their mining sectors.
){kind=link}