The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is set to meet with the European Union to discuss mineral wealth and mining projects in southern Africa.

The conference, which will take place in Zambian capital, Lusaka, will look at around 100 mining projects currently taking place or under development in the region, including a number of platinum and platinum group metal (pgm) operations.

Since the beginning of this year, a team of mining consultants have been seeking to identify the top mining investment opportunities for investors, looking for projects with a high potential as well as those with high quality exploration opportunities.

The Mines 2006 conference will report back on the projects that have been identified.

The meeting represents an important milestone in southern Africa's mining community, as it is believed the conference will facilitate the signing of around 50 letters of intent, with expectations that between eight and ten per cent of the projects will lead to full-scale mining projects.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd