Joseph Erunke
04 September 2012, Sweetcrude, ABUJA – SOUTH Africa recently indicated interest in partnering with Nigerian government not only in exploring, but, to develop and manage its mines wastes.
But, coming after the crises that rocked the South African mining sector, the country’s interest in the Nigerian mining sector has raised questions in the minds of many people.
Local and international condemnations had trailed the action of the South African police which gunned down over 34 protesting mine workers in their mining sites over circumstances the authority has set up a panel to unravel.
Just as the world was trying to ascertain what really happened to have earned the protesting workers the ire of the Police, investors from the country stormed Nigeria seeking collaboration with authorities to explore minerals potentials in the country.
The investors who were led by the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the company, Royal Bafokeng Holdings , Mr. Lucas Ndala, during a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, said they were in the country to seek collaboration with Nigeria to explore, develop as well as manage its mines wastes.
“The essence of our visit is to explore investment opportunities in Nigeria’s mining industry in areas such as mineral exploration, mines development, minerals Processing, Management of Tailings and Mines Waste Water Treatment, among others”, Ndala had said.
He said their company, Royal Bafokeng Holdings, was looking forward to working with Nigerian companies in the investment drive of the country.
