The Australia-Myanmar Chamber of Commerce (A-MCC) partnered together with Austrade Yangon to organise a high level delegation of senior government officials from Myanmar led by the Minister of Natural Resources & Environmental Conservation (MONREC) and Myanmar and Australian industry delegates to study the mining sector in Australia including State regulations and codes of practice as well as promote exports to and investment in the mining sector from 20-27 May 2017.
The delegation included the U Ohn Winn Union Minister, the MONREC Permanent Secretary (U Tay Aung), Director Generals of the Department of Mines and Department of Geological Survey and Mineral Exploration (DGSE) and a Director from the Department of Forestry.
The Union Minister, MONREC officials and thirteen (13) industry delegates from six companies (both Australian and Myanmar) met with the Australian businesses in extractives sector, participated in presentations/discussion with the West Australian Department of Mines & Petroleum, training and service providers, and visited the Alcoa Huntly Bauxite mine site and mining facilities such as Rio Tinto Exploration’s mineral laboratory in Bundoora, Victoria.
The Union Minister advised Austrade Senior Trade Commissioner Ross Bray who accompanied the mission, that the mine visit, briefings on Australasian Code for Reporting Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves, the laboratory visit and discussions on sustainable mining practices as being highlights of his visit.
The Union Minister also appreciated the interest of Australian business in the three seminars with around 100 attendees participating. He also understood the challenges faced by companies seeking to invest in Myanmar’s minerals future which should give impetus to the finalisation of the Mining Rules. The Minister advises this will still take another 5 to 6 months to be finalised.
The delegation returned home with a stronger understanding of Australian capabilities across the sector; processes used by State Governments for regulating the sector; and the level of interest from Australian investors and equipment, technology, training and service suppliers in Myanmar.
As a result of the mission, three mining exploration and services companies will be visiting Myanmar in the first weeks of June for follow up meetings with MONREC regarding projects. Austrade together with A-MCC will be planning workshops with MONREC to improve the exploration permit workflow process in the coming months and an Australian mining trade mission to Myanmar in October/November 2017.
“This delegation was a fantastic opportunity for the MONREC delegates to get a first hand understanding of the mining sector in Australia, as well as providing them a chance to promote investment in Myanmar. We at A-MCC were proud to be involved in facilitating this opportunity and look forward to continuing to grow our already strong relationship with MONREC and assisting the ministry with further growth and capacity building in the coming months,” said Jodi Weedon, CEO of the A-MCC.
A huge thank you to our sponsors Pacific Trends Resources, KBZ Group, Valentis and Titeline Valentis, Tin Htay, Dentons Rodyk and PanAust whose support and participation enabled the delegation to take place.
A-MCC was proud to be able to offer the opportunity to be involved in this delegation to its members, and looks forward to future collaborations with the Myanmar government and Austrade Yangon. If you would like further information please email us at info@a-mcc.com
