eBusiness Weekly
Prospect Resources was the last one standing at this year’s Mining Indaba 2019 Investment Battlefield.
In its third year, the Investment Battlefield is open to companies with a market capitalisation of less than US$50 million. Over the course of this week, 22 companies gave five-minute pitches in front of a live audience and a panel of judges.
EMR Capital investment director and judge Richard Crookes said the Investment Battlefield was a fantastic concept.
‘‘The whole shark tank idea is brilliant. I really enjoy judging and I think the audience enjoys the interaction,” he said.
The judges whittled down the field to four finalists, who presented on the main stage of Mining Indaba on Wednesday afternoon.
The four finalists were Theta Gold Mines, Orion Minerals, Prospect Resources and Avenira. Zinc-copper developer Orion was named the runner-up for its Prieska project in South Africa. The winner was Prospect, which is developing the Arcadia lithium project in Zimbabwe.
It comes after executive director Harry Greaves pitched the project as one of only two in the world that could supply the ceramics industry.
Prospect received a free booth and speaking slot for Mining Indaba 2020, three passes for next year’s event, three night’s accommodation in Cape Town, and post-event promotion.
Orion Minerals CEO Errol Smart was the runner-up for his Prieska zinc/copper project, located in South Africa’s Northern Cape, one of the most prospective base metal districts in the world.
“The Investment Battlefield, now in its third year, is the Mining Indaba’s way of supporting and promoting the junior mining industry across Africa,” said Mining Indaba investor relations manager Caroline Werner.
Among several prizes, Greaves won a free exhibition stand, three free passes and a ten-minute speaking slot at next year’s Mining Indaba.
The important role of junior and emerging miners has also been recognised by the Minerals Council South Africa, which said it was “simply delighted” by the second-place achievement of Smart, who is the chairperson of the Minerals Council’s Junior and Emerging Miners’ Leadership Forum.
During a media briefing at the Mining Indaba, the Junior and Emerging Miners’ Desk at the Minerals Council said junior and emerging miners generated R54.4-billion in revenue and spent R55.5-billion in 2018, despite challenging times faced by the industry as a whole.
“Developing this important component of the mining industry is key to growing and sustaining the mining industry in future,” the Minerals Council said. – Mining Journal
