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The mineral and petroleum industry of Africa is one of the largest in the West Africa which is gradually becoming the hub of mining and petroleum industry in Africa. Minerals, oil and gas exploration and subsequent exploitation remain key to the development of most countries in West Africa.

With current trend and prices, retrenchment and labour agitation coupled with ever more stringent regulations, the mining and petroleum industry face significant challenges.

The past five years has seen increased activity in exploration and exploitation in countries which otherwise not known for minerals and hydrocarbons resources throughout West Africa. This has increased the number of geologist, mining engineers, petroleum engineers and other professionals.

It is on this background that the first edition of the West African Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (WIAMM) industry annual conference has been held in Accra. The conference also witness the official launch of the West Africa Institute of Metallurgy and petroleum and brought together the sub-regional government dignitaries in the sector including the government of Ghana.

The theme for the conference was "setting the standards for the future- The roe of the Natural Resource professionals". The various participants that attended the workshop discussed the various strategies designed to drive the growth of the Mining and Petroleum industry in West Africa.

Giving the welcome address to kick start the workshop, the President and the Executive Secretary of WIAMM, Lawrence Omari-Mensah said WIAMM is focused on providing continuous professional development, standard code of practice and knowledge transfer for professionals in the mining and petroleum industry and ensuring that members perform their duties to the highest standards that are mutually beneficial to the industry and society.

He said, as professionals WIAMM will provide the opportunity to share experience through such forums and seminars. The chief executive officer of the Mineral commission, Dr. Tony Aubynn who acted as special guest of honour at the conference said in his address, that, politicians should be bold and condemn the act of galamsey in Ghana and that there is the need to have an effective talent hunt. He said the mining age is an effective age for industrial revolution.