IMnI's Asia Tour, China & India - September 12-18
IMnI's Secretary General Anne Tremblay and Market Analyst Mark Camaj recently conducted an Asia tour, during which they participated in 4 events. The overall aim of the tour was to reinforce Chinese and Indian membership and recruit new members in these two countries.
The EPD Division Workshop was held on Sunday, September 13 in Chongqing. The date was chosen to coincide with a conference organized by the National Friendship Association of Electrolytic Manganese Metal Factory, Presided by Mr Tan Zhuzhong, and which was held the previous day.
Objective of the workshop: To Present IMnIs Value Proposition to the Major EMM Producers & EMD Producers and get their Feedback. EPD Chairman Buks Botes (MMC) opened the meeting, with Vice-Chairman Li Weijian (CITIC Dameng) wrapping up.
There were 4 presentations: IMnIs SG & Market Analyst presented the Institutes Value Proposition; Johan Kriek (United Mn of Kalahari) talked about current demand and uses for Mn and then introduced his companys Mn mine; Ben Cohen (ConsMin Trade) gave an overview of his companys mines and products; and Madelein Todd (MMC) spoke about sharing best practice and use technology to comply with OHES regulations.
Besides IMnI participants, representatives from 11 Chinese companies were in attendance. IMnI had prepared a short (3 question) survey, which 8 companies filled in. The results of the survey were used to launch the feedback session, which followed the presentations. Of note: 2 of the respondents said they would join the IMnI; 5 answered maybe and one no.
The India Workshop and Lunch were held on Monday, September 14 in Mumbai. The date was selected in conjunction with IFAPAs Annual Assembly, which took place the following day.
Objective: To Present IMnIs Value Proposition to Indian Members and Discuss How They Can Contribute to and Benefit from IMnIs Services.
The workshop was chaired by Marketing & Communications (M&C) Committee Chairman Peter Allen, and 6 of IMnIs 8 Indian members were represented.
After the SG and Market Analyst presented an overview of IMnIs services and current projects, the meeting continued with an open discussion highlighting the needs and wishes of Indian members.
The discussion was extremely fruitful and the proposals made by the members from India will be discussed at the next Board meeting on November 8.
The Ore & Alloy Banquet Dinner was held on Wednesday, September 16 in Xi’an. The dinner dovetailed with the conference organized by the CFAIA, where the Secretary General and Market Analyst presented a paper on the IMnI’s services and “value proposition”.
Objective of the Banquet was: To Meet with China Members and Potential Members and Demonstrate the Close Link between Major Mn Ore Suppliers and the IMnI.
The event was chaired by M&C Committee Chair Peter Allen (ConsMin Trade) and short speeches were given by Statistics Committee Chair Branislav Klocok (Vale), Jaco Venter (Assmang), Seung-Jong Lee (Eramet) and M&C China Sub-Committee Chair Wang Feng (Minmetals). There were around 55 attendees, with delegates from 12 major Chinese companies. It has become apparent that IMnI’s Banquet Dinner for Chinese members and “would-be members” has become an industry event in China. The event incites potential members to join, as pressure from their peers, already members, grows each year.
Results to Date: In the past week, IMnI has gained 2 new members as a direct result of the Asia Tour. Furthermore, we have good reason to expect that another 4 companies met on the tour will also be seeing membership soon.