This year's China Mining Congress and Expo in Tianjin from Nov 16 to 18 will provide face-to-face opportunities for senior domestic and international mining representatives to make deals on exploration and operations around the world.

According to the organizers, which include the Ministry of Land and Resources, confirmed projects for discussion include 94 exploration and 14 development proposals for gold, copper, lead, zinc, coal and other minerals.

"They are all overseas projects - in Mongolia, Algeria, Argentina, Canada, Nigeria and Australia," said a senior official of the ministry.

In addition, 36 contracts worth more than 7.4 billion yuan ($1.1 billion) are expected to be signed, more than three-quarters of them for overseas projects.

"The projects can be divided into three categories. They include 10 offshore research projects requiring a combined investment of 130 million yuan, 16 exploration projects costing 3.45 billion yuan and 10 development deals that would need 3.79 billion yuan," he said.

The ministry itself will sign memorandums for cooperation with the mining departments of India, Angola, Sudan and Laos.

As well, the China Geological Survey will sign an agreement with the Tadzhikistan's geology bureau.

Organizers said they are offering preferential policies such as waiving the registration fee and offering free exhibition booths to further encourage cooperation.

(China Daily 11/16/2010 page6)