Let’s start with some background on the PW Nigeria Mining Limited (PNML). You have a proud history.
The company was originally founded in the 1940s in Ireland by Irish entrepreneur Mr Hugo Flynn. It was one of the most recognised brands in Ireland and the UK during these times for large infrastructure and mining projects. PW Nigeria Limited (PWNL) was founded in 1974 by Mr Flynn and has operated continuously since then. In 2019 as part of a diversification initiative, PW Nigeria Mining was founded. In 2020, the BUA group acquired a majority stake in PWNL further bolstering our position in the civil engineering and mining sectors.
PWNL is one of the most recognised brands in Nigeria for civil engineering and building projects. In our time in Nigeria, we have been responsible for building over 200 bridges, moved over 65,000,000.00 m3 of earth, constructed over 5,000 kms of roads and many of the major runways in Nigeria.
More recently in the mining sector we have completed projects for Symbol Base Metals on their Imperial Joint Venture project in Bauchi, Overburden removal for AshakaCEM (part of Lafarge Holcim), Overburden and Limestone extraction for Lafarge Holcim in Ewekoro and full mining services for BUA Cement at the Obu plant in Edo state.
Tell us about your products and services
PWNML offers a full suite of services to the mining sector from early-stage exploration through to production through partnership and contract mining. We also offer mineral processing, mine infrastructure and development.
We have a substantial fleet of equipment including large loading equipment up to 100 tonnes and dump trucks up to 65 tonnes, blast drilling equipment of various sizes up to 115mm hole diameter.
Through our joint venture partners Meridian Drilling, we can offer exploration drilling in both reverse circulation, diamond core drilling and auger drilling. So, we have every base covered to cater for our client’s stage in the mining life cycle.
Where in Africa are you active and where are you looking to for growth?
In the past, as part of the larger PW Group, we were active in Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali and Tanzania. Since 2011 PW Nigeria Limited has been a separate entity and focused solely on Nigerian-based projects.
The areas that we feel have huge potential for growth are in the gold sector given the current gold price. We are also focusing on growing our exploration drilling capability with our JV partners Meridian Drilling and Exploration Services as well as our contract mining business. How important is the Nigerian market for your organisation? Nigeria has always been an important market for PW as we have been incorporated here
since 1974, and it is where our African journey began. Since 2020, the organisation is 100% indigenous, and that has further reinforced our commitment to the Nigerian market.
Nigeria is the giant of Africa and still has a lot of potential to be realised, most especially in the mining sector.
How excited are you about the burgeoning mining sector in Nigeria and what does this mean for your business there?
The Nigerian mining sector dates back to the last century going by the publications available in the British Geological Survey. In the early 1900s, there was a lot of excitement about the findings pre-independence; there were lapses in continued exploration due to the world events.
After World War II, Nigeria saw a rise in the extraction of tin but this quickly became overshadowed by the discovery of crude oil, which was crucial to the economic growth and development of the country between 1960 and current day. Oil can no longer be depended on as a sole market, and therefore, diversification into the mining sector is essential. Nigeria’s mineral resources remain largely untapped with few mechanised mines. It would be difficult not to get excited about the opportunities that exist for our organisation.
Which stand-out mining projects are you involved in as a supplier in Nigeria?
PWNML have exposure to a wide range of gold exploration projects with our Canadian-Irish joint venture partners, Diamond Field Resources Gold, which we are currently developing and working through a systematic exploration process to maximise their potential life of mine.
PW Nigeria Mining Limited and Meridian Drilling and Exploration Services are currently involved in exploration projects at the BUA Cement, Obu Plant in Edo state and a full suite of contract mining services including drill and blast, overburden removal, load and haul and run of mine rehandle.
We are also ready to commence one of the largest drilling exploration projects to date in Nigeria for BUA cement at its Sokoto plant, which will be over 100,000 meters of reverse circulation drilling.
The PW Nigeria is a gold sponsor and partner at the upcoming Nigeria Mining Week. How important is this annual gathering of the mining industry?
The Nigeria Mining Week is the premier event on the mining calendar for the Nigerian mining sector. It is important for stakeholders to give important updates to the sector and attract new investment.
This year is the tenth edition of Nigeria Mining Week. Your thoughts?
It is hard to believe that this event is 10 years old, it seems like it was only yesterday we commenced the journey. Nigeria Mining Week has gone from strength to strength, but there is more to do for the sector to realise its true potential.
What will be your message at the event this year?
The Nigerian mining sector offers attractive incentives to mining companies. Now is the time to take advantage of them and see what the country has to offer. Nigeria is open for business.
Anything you would like to add?
Come and join PWNML at booth S39-S40 at the conference centre in the Abuja Continental Hotel between 13 and 15 October and see how we can add value to your mining project.