Mining Indaba 2025

Future-Proofing African Mining, Today!

By Fiona Wakelin

February 3-6 2025 saw the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) hosting the 31st annual Investing in African Mining Indaba. The Indaba is the same age as our democracy and has developed into a platform with a key focus on networking, discussions and investment opportunities in African mining projects. For the first time, the Mining Indaba featured representatives from mining communities who participated in key sessions, providing their perspectives on main event themes. This reflected the conference’s commitment to collaboration with those directly affected by mining activities.

Theme for 2025: “Future-Proofing African Mining, Today!”

This year’s theme, “Future-Proofing African Mining, Today!”, underscored the industry’s commitment to sustainable and forward-thinking practices. The theme was anchored on seven key content pillars, each addressing critical aspects of the mining sector:

• Industrialising Africa: How to leverage mining as a catalyst for broader industrial development across the continent

• Future-proofing our communities: Engaging and empowering mining communities, ensuring they are integral to the industry’s future

• Delivering effective Net Zero and Just Energy Transition strategies: Pathways to achieve net-zero emissions while ensuring a fair energy transition

• Maximising Africa’s critical minerals endowment: Identifying and capitalising on the continent’s rich deposits of essential minerals

• Giving a voice to future generations: Incorporating perspectives of the youth to shape the future of mining

• Adopting game-changing technologies: Highlighting innovations that can revolutionise mining operations and efficiency

• Prioritising health and safety: Reaffirming the industry’s commitment to the well-being of its workforce

These pillars collectively ensured that the African mining sector remains resilient, inclusive, and sustainable in the face of evolving global challenges - Miningindaba.com

Highlights of Mining Indaba 2025

In his opening remarks, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe, welcomed delegates, emphasising the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure the sustainable development of the mining sector. Key highlights of the 2025 Indaba included:

The Investment Village: A dedicated hub designed to connect investors with mining companies, facilitating discussions on potential ventures and showcasing a range of projects that drive economic growth. This space aims to foster strategic alliances and investment opportunities within the African mining sector.

Strategic leadership and innovation: Laura Nicholson, Head of Content and Strategic Partnerships for Mining Indaba, stated, “We stand at a critical juncture for African mining. The 2025 theme underscores the urgent need for the sector to proactively address challenges while capitalising on emerging opportunities.”

Indigenous people and mining communities: Collen Dlamini, Head of Public Affairs at Investing in African Mining, highlighted, “MI25 heralds a groundbreaking era, one that finally recognises the distinct characteristics and inherent rights of mining communities and indigenous groups, placing them firmly at the heart of the mining narrative.”

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles: The conference underscored the importance of ESG principles in shaping the future of critical mineral supply chains. Discussions centred on strategies for integrating ESG practices to ensure ethical sourcing, environmental sustainability, and social equity in mineral production and distribution.

Technological advancements and digital transformation: Embracing technological innovation was identified as crucial for enhancing operational efficiency and competitiveness. Sessions explored how data and artificial intelligence are revolutionising the mining industry across the value chain, from improved operational efficiency to predictive maintenance and expediting mineral discovery.

Investment in critical minerals: With Africa holding about 30% of the world’s mineral reserves, the Indaba highlighted the continent’s potential in supplying critical minerals essential for global technological and sustainable development, including cobalt, lithium, gold, and platinum group metals. The Ministerial Symposium focused on best practices across the mining value chain, including efficient permit issuance, effective resource stewardship, and promoting domestic mineral processing to elevate local economies. – africa.com.

Minister Mantashe highlighted South Africa’s role as leader of the G20 in 2025, which the country can leverage “to shape a new era of the African mining industry that meaningfully contributes to the socioeconomic development of our continent.”