In a significant step to strengthen Nigeria-Australia relations in the mining sector, the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Her Excellency Leilani Bin-Juda, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake.
During the visit, Bin-Juda formally invited the minister to attend the prestigious African Down Under (ADU) conference, scheduled to take place in Perth, Australia, from September 4 to 6, 2024.
Bin-Juda used the opportunity to brief Alake on the conference, highlighting the immense opportunities that bilateral meetings at the event could bring to Nigeria. As one of the world’s leading producers of minerals such as iron ore, coal, gold and bauxite, Australia is a critical player in the global mining industry, known for its advanced technologies and rich mineral resources.
Alake and the high commissioner discussed potential opportunities for Nigerian professionals to benefit from short courses in mining hosted by Australian institutions. These programmes are designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of Nigerian experts, contributing to the growth of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
A key topic of discussion was the introduction of a new platform developed by Geoscience Australia, specifically designed for Africa. This innovative tool leverages satellite data to track and monitor mining activities across the continent, offering free, high-quality training and real-time data access.
A statement by the minister’s special assistant on media, Segun Tomori noted that the high commissioner emphasised the platform’s potential to revolutionise the way Nigeria manages and oversees its mining operations.
Accompanied by the second secretary of the Australian High Commission, His Excellency Anto Bouckley, Bin-Juda reiterated her commitment to fostering stronger ties between both nations. She also expressed her intention to visit the minister again after the conference, signalling ongoing collaboration and partnership.
Alake expressed gratitude for the invitation and reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to deepen its relationship with Australia, particularly in the solid minerals sector.
