Welcome to the 2010 Africa Mining Congress

We are pleased to welcome each of you to our fifth annual Africa Mining Congress (AMC). All of us at MINE LLC, Meetings International Natural Resources Enterprise, recognize how special this meeting has become for anyone interested in mining, or financing mining, in Africa. In 2005, when the AMC idea came to me from Jeremy Wrathall, the markets were just getting warmed up for a major rally in commodities. In January of 2006, MINE LLC featured Jim Rogers, a Wall Street legend and author of Hot Commodities, at the International Oil & Gas Investor Forum in Aspen, Colorado. Back then, Rogers told the audience that we were in the beginning stages of the most significant bull market in commodities ever seen in our lifetime. From a most recent interview, Rogers said, “The commodity bull market could last 10 to 20 years. But I tell you it is going to be exciting years ahead for commodities …..” Rogers is still extremely bullish on commodities for the present and into the future and so are we.

Although we experienced a very painful correction last year when the world economy collapsed, commodities, like gold, have come back to record levels. Will the future breakdowns in world economies affect us again? Most likely, they will, but as Rogers puts it, “If there is a world-wide breakdown, it will affect the markets. But even the commodities are going to be a better place to be in then stocks and bonds.” Which brings us to the importance of this year’s Africa Mining Congress. Investors have been telling me they are cautiously re-entering the markets and looking for safe-havens. They want ROI, and upside potential with limited downside risk. In any market condition, there are sectors which perform well, and having been through many ups and downs in the commodities markets I can attest that we have been in an extremely volatile cycle that is headed more up than down. We have to keep in mind that more demand in these commodities will drive the prices up and continue the further development of various commodities in Africa and other parts of the world. Who will be finding and developing these resources? Many of the companies who are attending this meeting, that’s who. We are pleased to feature more than 40 mining companies to attendees for the AMC 2010 meeting. Take advantage of learning more about each company throughout the two-day program presentations, the fun social events, and your private 1:1 meetings.

The Africa Mining Congress 2010 is possible because of the support of some very important sponsorships including our conference underwriters:

• PLATINUM - GMP Securities
• GOLD - Haywood Capital Markets
• GOLD - Nedbank Limited
• SILVER - Raymond James Ltd.
• Thank you to all of our event underwriters this year:
• Sunset River Cruise - Paradigm Capital Inc.
• Boma Dinner - RBC Capital Markets
• Oasis Café – Endeavour Financial

We are grateful to all of our Underwriters, Sponsor Companies, and Investment Representatives, for attending the Congress this year at such a critical time for all of us. Coming together is valuable for us as individuals and collectively as businesses in the commodity sectors. Please accept our warm hospitality here and take advantage of your opportunity to share ideas and solutions.

Thank you for the warm reception of the officials of Zambia, including His Excellency the Honorable President Rupiah Banda, and the Minister of Mines and Mineral Development, the Hon. Mr. Maxwell Mwale.

We are pleased to provide you with an update on MINE LLC’s local project, Dani’s Home, which houses sexually abused girl children in Livingstone. Dani’s Home, the Lushomo Trust, was opened in February of 2007 and houses 12 girls. Dani’s Home provides the girls with safe shelter, food, education, medical care, and emotional support. Thank you to all of the local community who has made Dani’s Home possible, the local politicians who have supported the project, and the Board of Trustees of Lushomo Trust who oversee the management of Dani’s Home and the girls they serve. Thank you also, AMC attendees who have generously made contributions. If you want to help, donations for Dani’s Home will be accepted at the registration desk or contact us at info@minellc.com.

We thank our sponsor companies for coming to make their presentations. Our deepest appreciation to all of our attendees who have traveled so far to enjoy this unique experience.

Please, enjoy the conference.

In your service,
Michele Ashby, CEO
And the MINE LLC team
Liz Winsted, Project Manager
Alexis Bogart, Project Manager
Carla Cervi, VP Operations
Ingrid Langenskiold, On-Site Facilitator