2025 Agenda

• Examining technology trends across various industries to identify potential areas for migration
• Exploring complementary technologies that can benefit from cross-industry application
• Is resistance to change and adoption of new technologies within organizations slowing technological progress?

Live demonstrations of cutting-edge technologies which are leading global innovation.

• What are the processes and challenges in commercialising mining-related research
• How does commercialisation contribute to sustainability and competitiveness in mining?
• What role do universities and research institutions play in mining research commercialisation, and who is at fault for poor commercialisation?

Live demonstrations of cutting-edge technologies which are leading global innovation.

•    How are data and AI revolutionising the mining industry across the value chain? 
•    What is the potential return on investment from data-driven initiatives, from improved operational efficiency to predictive maintenance, expediating mineral discovery, and improving drilling confidence? 
•    What are the hurdles in implementing data standards in the mining industry? 

• Does mining have an institutional culture problem?
• What does it mean to lead with moral courage?
• How do you make decisions that are not just about the law and shareholders, but for the greater good?
• What are the fundamentals of building trust?

• As global powers work to define and execute their own critical minerals strategies, how is Africa being positioned in these conversations?
• How critical are critical minerals to Africa’s own energy security? Is the global energy transition leaving Africa behind?
• Competition and collaboration – how can greater strategic diplomacy ensure partnerships yield long-term benefits for the continent without perpetuating dependency?

Live demonstrations of cutting-edge technologies which are leading global innovation.

- VISION 2030 - This showcase gathers public and private sector leaders from Tanzania to highlight the nation’s rich mineral resources, streamlined regulatory landscape, and attractive investment incentives.

• What are the key benefits of using data and AI for workforce optimization in today’s business environment?
• The importance of data literacy and analytics skills in optimizing workforce management, improving safety, and enhancing productivity.
• How can data-driven and AI-powered tools and technologies transform the mining industry?

• Country, company and community perspectives on distribution of benefits and harms across the continent and within nations and communities
• The role of international involvement (and interference) in elevating certain countries over others (e.g. exploration, trade and investment privileging)
• What does a just transition offer for delivering energy security to Africa?

Hear from one of Africa’s pioneering leaders of change as they share their vision, and actions, for future-proofing Africa’s mining sector 

Hear from one of Africa’s pioneering leaders of change as they share their vision, and actions, for future-proofing Africa’s mining sector 

Hear from one of Africa’s pioneering leaders of change as they share their vision, and actions, for future-proofing Africa’s mining sector 

• What are the inherent risks associated with mining operations that make achieving Zero Harm particularly challenging?
• How can technology support with achieving zero harm goals?
• How can artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies be leveraged to optimize Health and safety?
• How can workers be empowered to take ownership of their safety and report hazards without fear of reprisal?

Hear from one of Africa’s pioneering leaders of change as they share their vision, and actions, for future-proofing Africa’s mining sector 

• How is climate instability affecting African mining and African mining communities?
• What solutions are miners, governments, local leaders adopting to support climate change adaptation in mining communities?
• How can a pursuit of co-benefits in miners’ community development and national policy efforts build greater resilience to a changing climate? (case studies)
• What is the role of insurance?

• Africa as the energy partner of choice rather than necessity – how can an egalitarian approach help galvanize increased collaboration throughout the supply chain?

• What financing instruments can foreign partners provide to supply greater sums of concessional financing and to de-risk private sector investments?

• What else needs to be done to ensure the continent becomes the global mineral leader, and future-proof its industry?

• As foreign actors seek alternatives to minimize overreliance, does the continent risk losing its moment?

Hear from one of Africa’s pioneering leaders of change as they share their vision, and actions, for future-proofing Africa’s mining sector 

Live demonstrations of cutting-edge technologies which are leading global innovation.

1. The government factor: A landscape that offers investment-friendly options for increased infrastructure development spend, improved permitting processes and downstream value-addition is the dream. Can it be turned Into reality?
2. The investment factor: Future demand for metals has never looked brighter, but are investors willing to provide the required capital at every stage of the mining life cycle?
3. The community factor: Mining means job creation and economic opportunities, but is that enough to win the support of local communities for new projects?
4. The talent factor: Artificial intelligence holds the future to technology adoption in mining - is tomorrow's mining generation prepared at a tertiary education level for this, and what does their integration with the existing workforce look like?
5. The market factor: Are downstream buyers ready to play their part, including buying critical minerals from “risky” jurisdictions?”

•    Are communities people being consulted enough with health and safety risks 
•    What are the risks that mining creates to communities? 
•    In what ways can technology enhance transparency and accountability in mining, fostering trust and collaboration with affected communities?
•    What ethical considerations must be addressed when deploying surveillance technologies in mining communities to monitor safety risks?

• With greater restrictions being placed on exports of raw minerals across the continent, how has the current approach to local value addition failed?
• Why are producers increasingly leveraging their minerals towards securing greater local content and participation in domestic mining activities from foreign players?
• Looking at the long-standing regional development protocols, how can partners support sustainable investments into local mining sectors whilst also promoting transparent & equitable policy?

• Are there alternatives to traditional terrestrial mining? Deep sea mining? Space mining? 
• Terrestrial/traditional mining has many well-known social, environmental, and governance impacts. Could alternatives to traditional mining mitigate these impacts?
• What are the costs and benefits of alternative forms of mining?

• Whilst the continent remains under-explored, are African nations well equipped to ramp up their exploration activities to meet global minerals demand? 
• What supportive policies, incentives and partnerships are there available to engage with the public sector?
• Developing domestic capability - what can be done to drive further investment into African exploration projects? 
• How can governments utilise this increased drive for mineral exploration to promote further development of industry & local communities?

• Learning from the best - what do countries with fast permitting processes do well that others can replicate?
• Bureaucratic processes - is it possible to reduce permitting times while still maintaining high ESG standards?
• Putting greater pressure on the concept of 'use it or lose it' - good or bad?
• The role of cadastral systems, and the need for greater upgrade investments
• Should the same or similar permitting processes be implemented for artisanal and small-scale miners?

• Why this government objective?
• Unpacking enabling conditions for mining companies and international players to foray into local value addition for critical energy transition minerals
• Understanding the perspectives of battery and electric vehicles manufacturers to better understand midstream opportunities and actions needed to unlock those segments
• The role of private sector and state-owned enterprises in implementing the vision of governments to transform domestic mining sectors to deliver greater value addition

• What is the importance of government policies in supporting technological innovation?
• Why is policy not keeping pace with the rate of technological advancement?
• Can collaboration between governments, businesses, and academia to drive technological advancements.

• Unpacking the ‘how’ of bringing investments into local processing and refining of minerals and facilitating downstream manufacturing across Africa.
• What are the key levers of support governments need and how can south-south and international cooperation address some of the challenges currently faced? 
• How do regional and global architectures around trade policy, technology transfer and development financing need to be reshaped to align climate ambitions with Africa’s critical minerals endowment and industrialisation goals?  

• What are the cultural taboos and organisational silos that discourage open discussion about corruption?
• Does the fear of reputational damage and legal consequences prevent companies from engaging in these conversations?
• Examine the complexity of navigating different regulatory environments across countries and regions.

• What are the key features of the Brazilian PPP infrastructure model and what factors led to this model being developed in the country?
• What led to this model being successfully adopted by the mining sector for its infrastructure needs?
• How is the reform of infrastructure projects in Africa benefiting the mining sector in countries like South Africa and Angola?
• How can countries in Africa adopt elements of the Brazilian PPP model to support the sustainable growth of their mining sectors?
• How can infrastructure projects be developed more sustainably?

The Angola Mining Business Forum will outline the current opportunities, as well as mapping the geological, legislative and investment changes being undertaken to enrich the upcoming and existing mining opportunities in Angola

• Is ESG investing, helping or hindering African development? 
• Which sustainable financiers are investing in African mining and related services, infrastructure and innovation?
• Which African minerals players are succeeding to attract sustainable investment and why?
• How can African mining become more attractive to sustainable finance?

• Will the next generation of geologists approach exploration differently?
• What role will technology play in reducing timelines for new discoveries?
• The investor view: what is needed to increase investor interest at exploration stage, and could this lead to increased longer-term investment spend?
• How important is sustainability to next gen explorers, and investors?

• Jobs and economic opportunity have always come with mining, but are those enough to earn the support of local communities?
• How can the inevitable local disruption and impacts of mining be best managed?
• When disagreements arise, how can those best be resolved for the common good?

Live demonstrations of cutting-edge technologies which are leading global innovation.

• Whilst the overarching opportunities presented by the critical energy transition mineral value chains present a means for new industrial development, how are these being maximised to create socio-economic change? 
• What needs to be done to contribute more to the economic structural transformation of mineral-producing countries, both in terms of economic diversification and their green industrialisation ambitions?
• How can communities be centered when discussing benefit sharing, local value addition and economic diversification of producing countries?

• What is African mining’s long-term offer to mining communities?
• What should African mining’s legacy be for affected communities?
• How can ‘holes in the ground’ be leveraged for post-mining sustainable development?

• Mining is intrinsically land-connected, and that can put it at odds with indigenous and land-connected peoples. How can these tensions best be managed?
• Land is also the home to animals and plants which are under threat in a nature and climate-stressed world. How can mining therefore contribute to a nature positive future?
• Land does not end when mining does, yet mining’s track record with closure is not the best. What should be the approach to responsible closure and post-mine transitions?

• How important is technology in Africa’s sustainable development?
• Is technology being utilised to meet sustainability goals?
• Are technology providers and innovators doing enough, and can technology be a negative to sustainability?

• As the continent looks to turbocharge economic development and mining activities, what does the current infrastructure deficit look like across Africa? Where is the critical access needed? 
• How is infrastructure funding being attracted, and what are the funding mechanisms available to develop new infrastructure requirements?
• How can the maximisation of propulsive local and regional economic linkages help expedite infrastructure development?
• PPPs - how are Public/Private partnerships accelerating development of African infrastructure?

• Are community development efforts as impactful as they could be?

•    New generation of miners- new education adoption required? 
•    What role does AI play, and is today's workforce ready to integrate with tomorrow's future miners?
•    How to embrace new approaches and opinions, without compromising on experience 
•    Can new generation communities hold the key to this challenge? 
•    If they do, how does the industry manage their access to education and training?
 

Live demonstrations of cutting-edge technologies which are leading global innovation.

• What technology is driving innovation for a net zero industrial future?
• The role of technology in addressing energy access and equity issues
• How technological advancements can facilitate the reduction of carbon emissions across various parts of the supply chain.

Hear from one of Africa’s pioneering leaders of change as they share their vision, and actions, for future-proofing Africa’s mining sector 

• What is the current state of financial mobilization available to producers, and how can additional avenues provide mutually strategic benefit?
• What needs to be done to promote additional corridor development and regional market integration?
• How can external partners act competitively within the African CRM space to properly deliver on Africa’s mineral potential?
• Clustered development – in what ways will further industrialisation cataylse the development of connected economies & communities?

Hear from one of Africa’s pioneering leaders of change as they share their vision, and actions, for future-proofing Africa’s mining sector 

• What would happen if we never sold the mineral we mined to manufacturers and consumers?
• How could this make mining and minerals more circular and sustainable?
• How could this benefit businesses, mining communities, consumers and nature?
• Could this enhance ‘mineral security’ for everyone?
• Who is already doing this in minerals, and elsewhere?

Hear from one of Africa’s pioneering leaders of change as they share their vision, and actions, for future-proofing Africa’s mining sector 

• What are the primary reasons people might resist technological change, and how can these be addressed?
• How do we Future-Proof African communities against the exponential rate of technological change, and get them ready for a technologically dominated workforce?
• Is the fear of the unknown, job displacement, and potential misuse of technology in hindering adoption?

Hear from one of Africa’s pioneering leaders of change as they share their vision, and actions, for future-proofing Africa’s mining sector 

• Across Africa, the energy transition is a key opportunity for the continent to fully industrialise. How are policymakers seizing this initiative to pursue their own energy ambitions through mining?
• How can Africa take advantage of the energy transition to enhance mineral value-chains and green industrialisation, whilst also increasing local beneficiation?
• As more foreign environmental legislation imposes greater limits on heavy industrial sectors, are external stakeholders setting a standard that disregards the African development imperative?
• Leveraging demand for critical minerals to boost inclusive growth and sustainable development – how can energy investments benefit the wider community and promote local development?

• How are auto OEMs securing their critical mineral supply chains in line with the transition to EVs?
• What investment trends by leading auto OEMs into mining companies are we seeing?
• How is this strategic trend impacting industrial policy in countries with automotive value chains?
• Can South Africa create a combined automotive and mining value chain focusing on critical minerals?
• What implications will this have for African states that mine critical minerals?

Live demonstrations of cutting-edge technologies which are leading global innovation.

• As the global energy transition gathers pace, how can producers stave off the same "resource curse" that many oil producers have faced?
• Why is African developmental security paramount to the wider global security nexus?
• As foreign partners increasingly seek to secure CRMs, can producers leverage this to develop a united and robust African voice in global economic and political governance?
• How can a community-centric approach help guide conflict-sensitivity that supports regional industrialisation, whilst also investing into increased labour and skills development?

Hear from one of Africa’s pioneering leaders of change as they share their vision, and actions, for future-proofing Africa’s mining sector

• As perceived risk makes foreign investors wary, how have intra-African financing options emerged to plug the gap?
• How are African-owned initiatives (i.e. AfDB, AFC), as well as local capital markets being used to increase domestic investment in an impactful way?
• Does their expert local knowledge through branch networks provide them an edge on foreign capital to invest wisely?
• How has a lack of positive credit profiles hindered the deployment of African finance and how can producers change this?

• How can what’s happening in investment markets to require nature related disclosures help build a regenerative and more future-proofed African mining sector?
• What can the taskforce for nature-related non-financial disclosures do to future-proof African mining?
• What do nature related non-financial disclosures offer to help future-proof African mining?

• What is needed to expedite the introduction of new lithium and graphite mines in Africa?
• How big is Africa's lithium and graphite potential exactly?
• Responsible sourcing - the make or break for these critical minerals?
• The government question - how to balance the profit scale between global supply of raw materials and downstream value-addition
• Lessons learned - advice from Africa's current producers

• Gold, still Africa's largest commodity by production volumes, still Africa's largest mining-related employer
• Economic wealth, gold the bedrock of many African economies
• Refining - is there scope for the addition of new facilities in Africa?

• Are there too many reporting frameworks and demands? Is an excessive reporting burden causing mining companies to allocate a disproportionate amount of internal resources to communicating on the ESG risk management, rather than actually mitigating risks?
• How will the growing body of anti-greenwashing legislation around the world affect African mining?
• How do we minimise greenwashing?
• What role do investors have to play?

• South Africa's manganese production - when does EV supply become a reality?
• Emerging African manganese miners - key to building Africa's infrastructure or the world's batteries, or both?
• Mature operations - taking the lead on community participation for the just energy transition?
• The off-takers view - have they repositioned manganese in their portfolios?

• Leading from the front – why are African sovereign investors best placed to catalyse development in both domestic markets and across the continent?
• What opportunities are there for sovereign funds within capital markets, and what positive impact can these have for further investment attraction & growth?
• How can intra-African investment initiatives, such as the ASIF, stimulate growth, collaboration, and co-investment across the continent?

• How can Africa safeguard its mineral wealth whilst facing increasing infrastructure debt? 

• Taking bauxite out the closet - a valuable economic driver in Africa
• Bauxite production - where are the African hot spots?
• Government and industry collaboration - is bauxite the true success example?
• A real supporter of long-term economic sustainability for communities

• Where do rare earth elements sit on the priority critical minerals list?
• Just how rare are rare earths?
• Will downstream beneficiation In Africa need to rely on China expertise?
• Clean energy suppliers, clean energy miners?
• Namibia, Tanzania - leading Africa's rare earth production potential?

• Economic integration – with a reduction in barriers between signatories, how will a boost in intra-African investment promote increased mining across the continent?
• What sort of policy harmonisation is there being undertaken from national governments to ensure a smooth implementation of the AfCFTA and drive inclusive economic growth?
• How will national mining efforts benefit from increased interconnectedness across Africa?
• What new opportunities will this unlock for the continent and its people?

• Case studies from mining sustainability failures across the world
• Outlining the gap between policy commitments and actual implementation on the ground
• What does successful remedy look like?

•    Combatting negative perceptions and showcasing new age, green technologies – in coal and uranium
•    Can renewable energy really replace viable, steady coal and uranium energy supply? 
•    Potential loadshedding in New Zealand - why? Renewable energy supply is not enough 
•    Africa’s energy deficit amidst a growing population- can renewable energy really meet demand? 
•    What’s the ideal sweet spot energy mix? 

• For beneficiation to work, it requires the correct infrastructure, investment in human capital and investor friendly policies. Why has this proven so difficult to balance?
• Botswana is a prime example of beneficiation done well. What are the key policies that allowed this success and who else is getting it right (or wrong)?
• What is the size of opportunity to invest profits into upskilling the existing workforce, whilst also developing new employment opportunities in the industry for graduates?
• Why is a collaborative approach between unions, LSMs and governments mutually beneficial?

• Why do miners and mining nations need to get better at remedy?
• How good are we at remedy in mining anyway?
• What are the pathways to restorative justice once a failure has occurred?

• Feeding Africa's growing population - potash holds the fertilizer key
• Morocco - Africa's potash hub
• Understanding Africa's potash potential - and its impact on developing the continent's agricultural industry
• A great community impactor

• Joint effort – How far has policy come in protecting workers rights, and what further contributions do miners and international partners need to make to protect workers?
• To what extent do labour issues find articulation in African mining regimes and economic development policy frameworks?
• How can multinational agreements, such as the SSTC, further prioritise worker safety under existing cooperation and capacity building frameworks?
• How can the energy transition bring positive developments for workforce ambitions?

•    Building local automotive manufacturing facilities - are PGMs a low hanging fruit? 
•    How to expedite the new hydrogen economy and boost the PGM sector 
•    Beyond the automotive sector- public transport, aerospace, and the role of PGMs

• How can youth integration into the mining sector be promoted through policy, in conjunction with industry?
• What policy initiatives are there already underway, and what else needs to be done to ensure meaningful upliftment of the youth?
• Shared connectivity – how can the advent of innovative technologies in the mining sector be precipitated to local communities, driving investment into training, education, and development?

• Could Africa become the green infrastructure capital of the world?
• What is iron ore's role In achieving this?
• A key driver In delivering true economic wealth and building great and financially strong African nations