Nigerian professionals in the solid minerals sector will soon travel to Australia for more studies, thanks to a deal brokered by the Minister of Solid Minerals, Mr. Alake in Perth, Australia, on Wednesday.

Presenting the request to Hon. Bill Johnston, the Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Energy, Corrective Services and Industrial Relations of the government of Western Australia, on a courtesy visit, Alake acknowledged the progress achieved by the government in mineral development.

Alake, who led the Nigerian delegation to the 21st Africa Down Under Mining Conference held in Perth, said Australia had acquired a lot of knowledge and skills in developing its modern mining industry, adding that Nigerians will benefit from training, study trips and exchanges of mineral professionals in its current effort to transform the sector.

Alake said the government had launched a roadmap to attract foreign direct investment by investing in big data on minerals and the quantum of their deposits, forming a solid minerals corporation and joint venture agreements with multinationals in mining to enable the sector to compete globally.

He informed the minister that Nigeria has vast deposits of precious minerals, including lithium, gold, coal, lead, zinc, baryte and iron ore.

Alake proposed a programme enabling Nigerian mining professionals to study modern mining technology and practices in Western Australia with the government's support.

Responding, Hon. Johnston appreciated the courtesy visit of the Minister of Solid Minerals and his delegation remarked that the meeting would pave the way for cordial relations.

Accepting the proposal, Hon Johnston said the government of Western Australia would support the transfer of knowledge and skills to mining professionals from Nigeria and sponsor mining experts to visit Nigeria to impart knowledge.

He urged the minister to make a formal request as soon as possible so both could work together to realise the goal.

He promised to mobilise the public and private sectors to support the initiative, as many companies are willing to explore opportunities for developing the mining sector in Africa.

Other members of the delegation were the Nigerian High Commissioner to Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific, Ambassador Anderson Madubike, Deputy High Commissioner, Mrs. Mercy Clement, Mr. Martins Imonitie, Investment Banker from

ANZ Bank, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Solid Minerals, Dr. Mary Ogbe, Special Adviser to the Minister, Hon. Kehinde Bamigbetan, Director, Mining Cadastral Office, Engr. Nkom Obadiah and Technical Assistant to the Minister, Mrs. Chinemerem Nwaka.

•PHOTO: From left: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Solid Minerals, Dr.Mary Ogbe, Minister of Solid Minerals, Mr. Oladele Alake, Minister of Mines, Western Government of Australia, Hon. Johnston and Nigeria's High Commissioner to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, Ambassador Anderson Madubike, at the event.

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