In a significant move to bolster Nigeria-Australia relations in the mining sector, the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Leilani Bin-Juda, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake.
During the visit, the High Commissioner extended a formal invitation to Dr. Alake to attend the prestigious African Down Under (ADU) conference, scheduled to take place in Perth, Australia, from the 4th to the 6th of September 2024.
The High Commissioner utilized the opportunity to brief Dr. Alake on the upcoming conference and the immense opportunities the bilateral meetings during the event will bring to Nigeria. Australia is renowned for its abundant mineral resources and advanced mining technologies, ranking among the top producers of key minerals such as iron ore, coal, gold, and bauxite. Australia is a critical player in the global mining industry.
Dr. Alake and Leilani Bin-Juda discussed potential opportunities for Nigerian professionals to benefit from short courses in mining hosted by Australian institutions.
These courses aim to enhance the skills and knowledge of Nigerian experts, furthering the development of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
A key point of discussion was the introduction of a new free platform developed by Geoscience Australia, designed specifically for Africa. The innovative platform leverages satellite data to track and monitor mining activities across the continent, offering free, high-quality training and real-time data access.
The High Commissioner emphasized the potential of this platform to revolutionize the way Nigeria manages and oversees its mining operations.
Accompanied by the Second Secretary of the Australian High Commission, Anto Bouckley, Leilani Bin-Juda reiterated her commitment to fostering stronger ties between both nations.
She expressed her intention to visit the Minister again after the 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.
Segun Tomori
Special Assistant on Media to the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development.
28th August, 2024.
