As part of efforts to reposition the country’s mining sector, the Nigerian Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Chief Sarafa Tunji Isola, led a delegation to The Africa Downunder Conference – the largest African mining event outside Africa – from the 4^th to 5^th September, 2008, in Perth, Western Australia. In recognition of government’s efforts to make Nigeria a viable mining nation once again, most especially in the last one year, the organizers of this event invited the Nigerian Minister in charge of Mines for the first time ever to address Australian mining companies operating in Africa.

The Honourable Minister stated in his presentation on the 4^th of September that Nigeria is now ready for Mining given the enduring  legislative and institutional frameworks that have been put in place for the sector. The Minister also informed that the much-awaited digital data from the Airborne Geophysical Survey covering 44% of the country is now ready. The Minister hinted that Nigeria offers the best fiscal incentives for mining compared to other nations and that these incentives are entrenched in the Minerals and Mining Act 2007, copies of which were distributed alongside with the recently approved minerals and metals policy. The Minister laid emphasis on the modern cadastre system for mineral title administration that has been put in place in line international best practices, as well as the criteria for granting such mineral titles – technical ability, financial capability, and minimum work programme.  

The Minister also focused on the seven strategic minerals identified for development by the Nigerian government – coal, bitumen, limestone, iron ore, barites, gold, lead/zinc. Nevertheless, the audience was reminded that other minerals such as Uranium, Cassiterite, Tantalite, Chromite, and Molybdenite are also available for development. Following the presentation, there was a renewed interest in Nigeria’s efforts to revive its mining industry and the Honourable Minister was invited to a private lunch with Australian mining investors on the second day of the event where the Minister re-stated government’s commitment to develop the country’s mining industry, as well as its readiness to provide the enabling environment for potential mining investors. 

 Nigeria’s participation this time around has further convinced Australian mining investors that Nigeria is indeed ready to develop its vast solid minerals endowment, as a number of them have indicated readiness to partake in the development of the country’s mining sector given the reforms already put in place. Copies of the law and policy distributed at the event were up for grabs and many others were referred to the ministry’s website (www.mmsd.gov.ng). 

 It should be noted that the Sixth Annual Africa Downunder Conference, arguably the largest Africa-focused mining event to take place outside the continent, was premised on the need to draw an African delegation of influence to Perth where many Australian-based explorers and miners can present their stories and take advantage of a rare and valuable networking opportunity. The 2008 conference has been the most successful so far, with about 1000 delegates having the opportunity to listen to a total of 48 presentations covering every aspect of the industry in Africa including grassroots exploration, development projects, established mines and political commentary. African Ministers represented at the conference came from a number of countries including Botswana, Equitorial Guinea, Eriteria, and Nigeria. High-level delegations also came from Zambia, Gjana, South Africa, and Namibia. Apart from politicians, bureaucrats and resource company executives, a wide cross-section of experts from the fields of political risk, finance and mining services were also present.