Australia Awards facilitates linkages for Alumni at Mining Indaba

The Australian Government recognises that continuous development of skills and knowledge builds enduring people, countries and professional links, and has the power to influence change. As part of Australia Awards’ Continuous Professional Development Opportunities, the program sponsored six Alumni’s attendance at the Mining Indaba, held in Cape Town, 5- 8 Feb.

The Indaba was an opportunity for Alumni to advance their knowledge, networking opportunities and professional links with other key players in the Extractives field. The following Alumni attended the event:

• Andreas Alpha Mikaly (Madagascar), Head of Department in charge of Project Development at Presidency’s Ministry of Mines and Petroleum.
• Portia Kebeng (Botswana), Senior Mineral Economist, Department of Mines. Bertha Luzabiko (Tanzania), Resident Mines Office – Morogoro Region, Ministry of Energy and Minerals.
• Gobirkoye Issoufou (Niger), Head of the Division of ” Prospective Mining”, Ministry of Mines.
• Ernest N’Guessan Kouadjo (Cote d’Ivoire), Deputy Director of Prospection and Exploration, Ministry of Mines.
• Edward Chisakulo (Zambia), Researcher, Copperbelt University.

The Indaba brings together 6,000 industry stakeholders; government leaders, business leaders, regulators, experts, and investors in the extractives field who convene to forge convened to forging a sustainable mining industry and deliberate on current industry challenges.

Alumni Gobirkoye Issoufou found the experience valuable. “Mining Indaba is a powerful platform that enables to develop networking opportunities. Attending such conferences is a great way to build professional links, learn about new technology and build capacity” he says.

“I got an opportunity to interact with the Australian Minister for Mines and Petroleum Commerce and Industrial Relations, Honorable Bill Joseph Johnston, during the Women in Resources Mentoring session. The emphasis of the session was to encourage, support and mentor women in mining in a structured and formal manner to enhance their value as leaders and contribute to enriching outcomes for women,” says Portia Kebeng.