Although from two different countries, the Hon. Ms. Carolina Sánchez, National Mining Secretary, Ministry of Production of Argentine Republic, and the Hon. Pablo Terrazas, Vice Minister, Ministry of Mining, Chile,
were both meditating on the prospect of mining in the context of global instability in macro-politics and economy and ways to achieve better development with the help of new technologies as well as to conduct deeper cooperation.
At the Mining Ministers Forum of CHINA MINING Conference and Exhibition 2018 on October 18, nine mining ministers from China, Argentina, Sudan and other countries sat together to discuss the future changes in the mining industry, share their development experiences of mining industry and explore new areas prospects of cooperation.
“Despite the rigorous challenge, opportunities still exist”
What was the future of mining industry when it was experiencing a downturn in the eyes of many people?
Since 2017, the mining industry has undergone a short-term recovery, but the price of metallic mineral products has continued to fall since late June this year with main metal spot index fallen to 15% due to the global trade conflicts.
The turmoil in the global macro-political and economic situation was continuing, which caused intensifying risks in emerging economies and great market uncertainties. However, Pablo Terrazas has confidence in the medium and long-term development prospects of the global mining industry, he detailed the achievements of Chile's mining development， “In 2018, Chile’s total mining investment has reached 15,000,000 dollars, which greatly promoted the development of Chile’s national economy.”
His confidence derived from the new opportunities that Chilean mining found in the crisis. “In recent years, electric vehicles have become a new trend in global development. In China especially, the electric vehicle industry was developing very fast. The large demand for brass in the production of electric vehicles could be satisfied by Chile. Therefore, we have optimistic price expectation for Chilean brass in the international market.” He believed that the price of brass still got the potential to rise.
In the meanwhile, electric vehicle industry was also a strong driving force for the development of lithium mines. "I believe that by 2025, Chile will double its lithium mine production; and in the near future the price will rise to 8,000 to 12,000 dollars per ton," opined Pablo Terrasas.
While Mali learned self-examination from the crisis, the Hon. Mme. Lelenta Hawa Baba Ba, Minister, Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, Mali, believed that mining was the foundation of a country's comprehensive development, and the changes in the world today not only brought us enormous challenges but opportunities for improving management. In recent years, Mali has made some amendments to the mineral resources law. Besides, the state held shares in some mines for public interest such as environmental protection. At the same time, it reduced taxes for mining enterprises to propel the better development of mining.
"Learn to dance with new technology"
People all lived in an unpredictable, ever-changing era.
"The only thing we can do for the changing world is to seek changes; and the same for the dynamic new technology is to learn to dance with technology." considered the Hon. Abubakar Bawa Bwari, Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Nigeria.
Nigerian mining applications and development were more convenient and efficient and operations also more efficient after the establishments of six regional offices and online services. Besides, Nigeria attached great importance to scientific and technological research and development. Accordingly, for promoting the sustainable development of mineral resources, its mining industry made every endeavor to increase the added value of mining through cooperating with universities.
Otherwise, Sudan chose to reduce the environmental impacts of mineral resource development by means of technological innovation and the adoptions of most advanced equipment and materials.
“The development of mining industry, an long-standing business with strong cyclicity, was full of ups and downs; so as people’s moods in this period. We are making the mining industry a knowledge-intensive and future-oriented industry with sustainable development in a long term through advanced technology,” said the Hon. Awad Elniel Dahia Daldoum, State Minister, Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals, Sudan
“‘The Belt and Road’ brought new prospects for mining cooperation”
This year is the fourth time that Abubakar Bawa Bwari, Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Nigeria, participated in CHINA MINING Conference and Exhibition. In his view, the theme “New Model for Cooperation” of this year contained a deeper meaning.
“The great, epoch-making initiative of ‘The Belt and Road’ will bring new prospects for mining cooperation,” said the Hon. Johnson Tuke, Minister for Mining, Papua New Guinea.
In the past few years, Papua New Guinea has received strong support from the China Geological Survey “We need support in geological science mapping for ours are of low quality. I am very grateful to Nanjing Geological and Mining Resources Institute of China Geological Survey for their great help. In the past 5 years, they have been working together with us to help us carry out scientific research in geology. Next, we need more support to help us map the entire geological structure of Papua New Guinea so that we can get a better idea of the mining potential of our country. We hope to carry out more close cooperation with China in this respect，" added Johnson Tucker.
Morocco was also ready for cooperation and sincerely invited mining investment from various countries. “We established very transparent systems and policies, and boast preferential tax policies and a fair and equitable business environment. We welcome cooperation, investment and development in mineral resources from all countries，” said the Hon. Aziz Rabbah, Minister, Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Sustainable Development, Morocco.
The Hon. Ling Yueming, Vice Minister of Ministry of Natural Resources China said, “The new order of the world is being established. The process full of turmoil and uncertainty challenges every mining company. When facing and moving toward the future, we require a new pattern and new mode of cooperation. And we must strengthen the confidence for the future development of the mining industry in the volatile world." (Jiao Siying) (Translated by TLRHVC)
About CHINA MINING
Since first held in 1999, the scope and influence of CHINA MINING has grown rapidly year by year. As a global mining summit forum and exhibition, CHINA MINING Congress and Expo has become one of the world’s top mining events, and one of the world’s largest mining exploration, development and trading platforms, covering all aspects of the whole mining industry chain, including geological survey, exploration and development, mining rights trading, mining investment and financing, smelting and processing, mining techniques and equipment, mining services, etc. playing an active promotion role in creating exchange opportunities and enhancing mutual cooperation between domestic and foreign mining enterprises.
CHINA MINING Conference and Exhibition 2018 Was held at Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Center in Tianjin in October 18-20, 2018. We invite you to join the event and to celebrate the 20th anniversary of CHINA MINING with us. For more information about CHINA MINING 2018, please visit: www.chinaminingtj.org.
