Western Australia has a close history of cooperation with African countries, particularly when it comes to the minerals and petroleum sectors. Most notably, the State has a current memorandum of understanding signed with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa.
That MOU, re-committed to at Mining Indaba in Cape Town four years ago by the Government of Western Australia, is designed to promote engagement and support in the areas of investment, exploration, policy development, education and the uptake of new technologies.
Western Australian Minister for Mines and Petroleum; and Energy the Hon Bill Johnston reminded delegates at Africa Downunder in Perth that Africa had always been a key destination for Western Australian resource companies.
There are currently more than 120 ASX-listed companies actively operating or developing 222 projects in 32 African countries, and 68 per cent of those companies are based in Perth. These companies are involved in projects across 21 commodities.
More than 40 of the projects are focused on gold, but there is clearly considerable interest from Western Australian companies investing in battery metals such as cobalt, copper, graphite, lithium and nickel.
Minister Johnston said it was also important to acknowledge those projects that had benefited from inbound African investment in Western Australia’s resources sector, including: Gold Fields investing in Agnew, Granny Smith, St Ives and Gruyere; and AngloGold Ashanti with its interest in the Tropicana joint venture and its ownership of Sunrise Dam.
“Western Australia exports more to Africa than any other state in the country, and our trade and business with Africa reflects our increasingly global mining industry and the greater change that is happening as the globe moves to decarbonise,” Minister Johnston said.
“That decarbonisation is impacting mining projects as well, and we also recognise the increased attention being paid to Environmental, Social and Governance goals in driving innovation in the mining sector.
“We know that facing these challenges and changes together is a real opportunity for the development of resources for the benefit of communities across Africa.”
Western Australia is also a leading jurisdiction for mining equipment, technology and services, with many of these local companies already well spread-out servicing projects in many African countries. Importantly, these companies offer technology and skills that increase a project’s efficiency; manage risks; improve heath and safety outcomes; reduce maintenance costs; and manage environmental risks.
“If there is a technical, financial, administrative or supply chain challenge in a project anywhere in Africa, I am confident you can find a company here in Western Australia that is up to that challenge and will help you resolve those problems,” Minister Johnston said.
The Hon. Bill Johnston Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Energy, Corrective Services and Industrial Relations
