From JEAN KASSONGO in Kinshasa, DRC
KINSHASA  – THE award-winning Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Mining Week returns to Lubumbashi in June with a broadened focus to include the agriculture, energy and construction.
Again, thousands will gather for practical annual mining and industrial expo.
Event Director, Elodie Delagneau, says DRC Mining Week is well established as the leading mining expo in the region and has been around for a long time because of close collaborations with stakeholders, including industry to government.
“The event will always support the mining sector with the latest technology and services displays, free training workshops and high-level strategic conference” says Delagneau.
Agriculture, energy and construction are related and complementary sectors to mining.
Delagneau points out DRC is not the only country looking to diversify in anticipation of the end to the commodity super-cycle and slowdown in global growth.
“The national and provincial governments are therefore looking to increase their efforts to bring suppliers and investors’ attention to the potential of local agricultural production – a strategy that proved effective in the past with mining.”
As is becoming norm, DRC Mining Week has already secured the early and impressive support of the industry through the diamond sponsorship of Engen and the platinum sponsorships of Sodexo, Standard Bank and Tenke Fungurume Mining. Atlas Copco, Copperbelt Energy and Xingye are confirmed as gold sponsors.
Earlier this year, DRC Mining Week was recognised for its support of the Kinsevere Community School Project in Lubumbashi when it was named a finalist in the Social Responsibility category of the AAXO ROAR Organiser and Exhibitor Awards, which honour excellence in the exhibition and events industry on the continent.
Spintelligent, a leading Cape Town-based organiser of exhibitions and conferences across the continent hosts the DRC Mining Week.
– Guardian