The first edition of the West African Mining Forum took place on June 25, 2024, in Dakar. Organized by the Neemba Group in partnership with Caterpillar, this forum provides a platform for constructive dialogue between stakeholders in the mining industry in West Africa. Around 100 participants from 12 countries gathered for this day of reflection to discuss various issues facing the sector.

Five topics were addressed during this first edition. These included:

• the importance of mining practices in West Africa,
• mitigation of environmental impact,
• the contribution of technology,
• the sustainability of mining activities,
• Skills development and talent retention in the mining sector, and the empowerment and strengthening of local communities in West Africa through mining activities.

For Jean Luc Konan, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Principal Dealer of the Neemba Group, this forum provides a space for constructive discussion, sharing best practices, and exploring ways to strengthen synergies within the West African mining community. «The event aims to strengthen cooperation and mutual success in the mining sector,» he emphasized.

Mr. Konan points out that the mining sector in West Africa is rich in gold, bauxite, iron, and other minerals, accounting for a significant share of exports and revenues in several countries in the region. In Senegal, for example, it accounts for 4.51% of gross domestic product and 32.1% of national exports, he said.

To further develop this sector, it is necessary to create forums where stakeholders can discuss current issues in order to build a sustainable mining industry for years to come. «We hope that this forum will be the first of many,» he added.

At the end of this forum, all recommendations made by participants will be collected and taken into account for the development of the mining industry in Senegal and West Africa in general.

Lika Scott Sow, Regional Director at Caterpillar, who helped organize this forum, emphasized the importance of Caterpillar's support for dealers such as Neemba.

Caterpillar offers its dealers comprehensive support, including ongoing training, advanced management tools, technological innovations, and a global collaboration network, thereby improving operational efficiency and promoting sustainable practices. In addition, Caterpillar, in partnership with its dealer, is committed to training and capacity building, helping young Africans find their way and develop their skills in the mining industry.

Presiding over the opening of the forum, Ms. Roseline Mbaye, representative of the Minister of Energy, Petroleum, and Mines, indicated that the existence of a legal framework would help to ensure the implementation of mining sector activities. She also emphasized that compliance with these regulations by operators and the entire chain of stakeholders would be a major challenge.

INAUGURATION OF A COMPONENT RECONDITIONING CENTER (CRC) IN DAKAR WORTH 11 BILLION CFA FRANCS

On the sidelines of the West African Mining Forum, Mr. Jean Luc Konan announced the inauguration of a Component Reconditioning Center (CRC) in Sangalkam. He explained: «This world-class center will give a second life to the machines of operators in Senegal and the sub-region at a lower cost. Dakar is thus becoming a sub-regional hub for component reconditioning. In addition to its state-of-the-art technical capabilities, the Neemba CRC places particular emphasis on protecting the environment by reducing industrial waste and carbon footprint, in line with our commitment to sustainability.»

The Neemba CRC has generated 80 direct jobs and more than 300 indirect jobs. It welcomes young people as part of their training, with a view to improving their technical skills, which contributes to strengthening the value chain and creating jobs.

These initiatives, such as the inauguration of the CRC and the organization of the West African Mining Forum, illustrate Neemba's ambition to become a leader in the mining industry in West Africa. By investing in state-of-the-art infrastructure and creating platforms for dialogue, Neemba is demonstrating its commitment to sustainable development and regional cooperation.