The key event in the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business’s calendar in the coming months will be an online-and-live international information exchange forum from October 26-28, focused on Canada’s Vital Role as a Committed Partner in Africa’s Economic Restart after COVID-19.
Ivanhoe Mines Ltd., the Chamber of Business’s 2021 premier partner and lead sponsor, is working with the Chamber to address challenges and advance opportunities for enhanced Canada-Africa trade and investment that will contribute to shared and sustained economic benefits.
Kgalema Motlanthe, a former President of South Africa and an Ivanhoe Mines director, will be the conference’s keynote speaker. Mr. Motlanthe was President of South Africa for a period between 2008 and 2009 and then served as Deputy President from 2009 to 2014. He was Deputy President of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) from 2007 until 2012, and Secretary-General of the ANC from 1997 to 2007. He joined the Ivanhoe Mines board as a non-executive director in 2018.
“Ivanhoe Mines` successful discovery, financing and joint development of the world-scale Kamoa-Kakula Copper District in the Democratic Republic of Congo – which achieved first production in May and began exporting concentrate in July – is on track to become one of the world’s largest and highest-grade copper producers,” said Ivanhoe founder and Executive Co-Chair Robert Friedland. “Ivanhoe’s accomplishments are a clear testament to the benefits that can flow from multinational cooperation in Southern Africa.”
Mr. Friedland added: “Our joint-venture team, assembled from around the globe, is working in close partnership with the DRC government and local communities to make the world`s next great copper mine a reality. We are forerunners of a new paradigm in mining, which is progressively focused on localized skill development, integrated stakeholder participation, conscientious investing and environmental stewardship. Our results show that this type of partnership works, and that Africa has a very bright future providing resources that are essential for the fulfillment of our world’s growing commitment to green technology and renewable energy.”