The Executive Chairman of the McDan Group of Companies, Dr Daniel McKorley, has underscored the significance of leveraging natural resources to drive industrialisation across key African economies.

He said this during his address as the special guest of honour at the world's largest salt conference in India.

Sharing insights into his salt mining venture, Electrochem, situated in Ada-Songor, Dr McKorley highlighted the lucrative opportunity salt mining presents for Africa and beyond.

He emphasised its potential to generate revenue and bolster export channels.

He advocated for the establishment of a global consortium comprising salt producers, distributors, and pharmaceutical firms to facilitate knowledge exchange, optimize supply chains, and mitigate potential shortages.

Furthermore, Dr. McKorley emphasized the indispensable role of salt in various industries, particularly in pharmaceuticals, stressing the importance of ensuring a stable supply of pharmaceutical-grade sodium chloride.

He urged industry stakeholders to embrace technological advancements to drive innovation in salt harvesting, proposing the exploration of automated mining, drone technology, and advanced purification methods to enhance efficiency and productivity while minimising environmental impact.

In conclusion, Dr McKorley called for sustainable transportation solutions to facilitate the seamless movement of goods and people, contributing to meeting demand efficiently and cost-effectively while prioritizing environmental sustainability and expanding market opportunities.

He also advocated for increased support for research and development initiatives to enhance the efficiency and scalability of solar salt production methods.