Generally brighter economic prospects and massive transformation of its natural resources sector over the past decade - with more significant change to come - have helped turn around perceptions of Africa, branded "the hopeless continent" by The Economist just over a decade ago. More recently the same magazine produced "Africa rising", a report mapping its reversal of fortunes.

Foreign direct investment has played a key role with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) charting a rise in FDI from US$15 billion in 2002 to US$37 billion in 2006 and US$46 billion in 2012. Led by China, spending a reported US$15.6 billion in 2011 alone, investment in African mining projects and infrastructure has been central to this FDI bonanza.

Now, with a less certain global economic outlook and weaker mining equity and debt markets narrowing the project development pipeline, the spotlight is well and truly on financing options, challenges and trends related to the next wave of African mining developments.

In the lead-up to publication of its landmark African Mining Finance Guide 2014 in June, Mining Journal will host a free webinar focusing on key African mining finance issues and opportunities.

The May 21 event will bring together leading experts from Standard Bank, SRK Consulting, Grant Thornton and Norton Rose Fulbright to share their unique insights into funding options and availability, risk management, regulatory trends, and new approaches to project development, with audience involvement in the discussion about these and other topics to follow.

You can't afford to miss this unique presentation on African mining finance opportunities and challenges, so register now…

Presenter

Richard Roberts, Managing Editor, Mining Journal