Security measures critical amid heightened risk in West Africa

The following is a summary of key conclusions coming out of the West Africa Mining Security Conference and was provided by The Australian High Commission in Accra and The Australia-Africa Minerals & Energy Group (AAMEG), which represents Australian companies engaged in the development of Africa’s resource industry. More than 78 mining companies based in Australia came together in Accra in June to consider solutions to the deteriorating security situation in West Africa, particularly in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. The convening event, the West Africa Mining Security Conference, sought to equip business leaders to make more informed security and investment decisions around the very real threats and risks to their operations. “With the mining industry in the region facing threats from kidnapping for ransom, direct action raids and denial of access attacks, companies are encouraged to engage in risk management and mitigation; and complete risk assessments and a risk registry,” said William Witham, CEO of the Australia Africa Minerals and Energy Group. Continue reading at The Northern Miner.