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AFRIcA DoWn UnDeR

Africa still open for trade opportunities

ustralia’s commitment to facilitating new So given the challenges, we’re working more worked up to five months on some projects,
Atrade and investment opportunities in closely with those who are already placed in so our policy is that we will continue to move
Africa remains, even if it is confined to taking the market to help them deepen their market people around to support them and their
place behind a computer screen for the time penetration as opposed to those who are new families and to drive continuity of operations
being. to export. as well.
Hard borders and travel restrictions im- “Having said that, with those that are new “Over the last eight months, our people
posed by governments since March have to export, we still run a number of webinars across the business have done a fantastic
made it challenging for foreign investors to un- to give them a sense of what that particular job to keep the mines operating and keep
dertake their usual due diligence on projects market may look like – whether that be in Af- our people employed. We’ve worked with
in emerging markets such as Africa, where a rica, the Middle East or elsewhere – to actu- our people, our clients, our suppliers and lo-
physical site visit is typically required before ally give them a good understanding in terms cal governments to ensure people are looked
money exchanges hands. of the opportunities and the risks.” after. It really has been living our principle of
Speaking via video link on the opening day The pandemic has also presented chal- smarter together to enable tomorrow.”
of Africa Down Under, Austrade acting chief lenges for international companies with pro- According to Beresford, Australia’s trade
executive Tim Beresford indicated that while jects and operations in multiple jurisdictions interests have fallen 10% since the start of the
much of his organisation’s focus had shifted which may require personnel to be able to pandemic while investments are down 40%.
towards supporting existing customers in move freely from one country to the next. A number of key supply chains have also
maintaining ongoing trade relationships, par- Perenti Global Ltd is one company which been disrupted, causing many businesses
ticularly on the African continent, the door appears to have overcome that hurdle. Since and governments to approach trade relation-
was far from closed for those seeking new the onset of the pandemic in March, the group ships differently for an indefinite period.
investment opportunities. has orchestrated more than 70 charter flights, Beresford praised the mining sector for
“There’s no doubt that with travel restric- including to and from nine African destina- leading by example in showcasing to other
tions in place, the main focus of where we’re tions. industries how best to navigate their way
working is more with those who are already Although he acknowledged the health risks through high-risk environments.
existing customers and existing clients [be- associated with transporting large numbers of “Miners are all about managing risk, it’s part
cause] they already know the market, they people, Perenti managing director Mark Nor- of a miner’s DNA,” he said. “As we know, the
already understand the market and therefore well said his company also had an obligation Australian mining industry operates in some
they have an appreciation of the relevant due to look after the interests and wellbeing of its of the most remote and harshest conditions
diligence,” Beresford said. people. found anywhere in the world. Our mining sec-
“At the moment we’re spending probably “We’ve got a lot of people who live in broad- tor has developed and perfected technologies
more time, in a COVID-19 sense, with either er Africa but work in different countries from in safety, sustainability and supply chains to
investors re-investing into those markets or where they live, and they need to get home to cope with these tough and risky conditions.”
investors re-investing into Australia, depend- their families,” Norwell said.
ing on which side of the coin you’re looking at. “Some of our regional expatriates actually – Michael Washbourne

Link in with @aurumexploration

urum Exploration chairman Wilson from young geologists from South Ameri- Since 2002, Aurum has been delivering
ARobb says there is a healthy pool ca and Africa predominantly,” Robb said. a full spectrum of exploration services in
of geologists to choose from around the “There are some high-quality graduates Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
world. out there and very experienced people, The company has been successful in
Aurum – a renowned mineral explora- too. I find that South American and African sinking its teeth into historical and legacy
tion consultancy company – is headquar- graduate geologists are very proactive on data, which Robb referred to as “literal
tered in Ireland and therefore it is natural LinkedIn looking for experience.” gold mines” from an information perspec-
that tabs are kept on the talent stream While impressed with the enthusiasm tive.
flowing from the geological societies in Ire- and capabilities of the up and coming ge- Meanwhile, the company also has a fo-
land and UK. ologists around the world, Robb said he cus on being innovative.
Robb said the quality of graduates with recognised that there was one particular “Deploying the right people allows us to
geological backgrounds was good, while skillset that needed to be sharpened. get to the right places and conduct fair ex-
the experienced heads in the market were “People tend to come out with fairly poor ploration programmes,” he said.
also top notch. report writing skills, which absorbs a vast “But we are also constantly looking to
“Access to talent is always a bit of a chal- amount of time from the senior level to innovate and deploy more advanced geo-
lenge, but I think the younger generation make things right before presenting to the chem and cutting-edge geophysics and
we are not finding it too difficult. LinkedIn is client,” Robb said. geophysical techniques to give us extra
absolutely brilliant – I have become a con- “That is an on-the-job training thing strings to our bow.”
vert in the past 18 months – I like to keep a though, I was probably a bit like that, with – Mark Andrews
high profile for the company more than for a slight lack of focus and something that
myself. I get on average 3-4 [new contacts] needs attention.”

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