2026 Agenda

The Opening Ceremony sets the strategic tone for Mining Indaba 2026, convening African leaders, senior policymakers, and industry stakeholders at a pivotal moment for the global minerals sector.

The session will reflect on Africa’s role in an increasingly volatile global environment, the rising strategic importance of critical minerals, and how partnership, policy coherence, and long-term vision can translate mineral wealth into inclusive growth and long-term resilience.

Explore strategies to align long-term mine planning with fast-moving tech lifecycles. How can lifecycle mapping, workforce upskilling, and smart vendor partnerships future-proof operations and unlock value today, but account for evolving technology in the medium to long-term?

Driver profiling technologies are reshaping workforce training in mining by enabling personalised, data- driven approaches to skill development and safety. Through tools such as accident simulation, real-time behavioural analytics, and performance benchmarking, learn how operators can receive training that reflects their unique driving patterns, risk profiles, and learning needs.

Can mines go zero-waste and zero-emission – while scaling up production? This session explores how cutting-edge technologies are making it possible. The question is – can technology help mines deliver on first-world ESG requirements in Africa?

Keynote by a leading expert in the field presenting their annual commodity outlook report exclusively at Mining Indaba. Explore short and long-term forecasts for commodity markets.

As capital markets tighten and risk aversion grows, traditional mining finance is evolving - with public-private partnerships (PPPs), development finance institutions (DFIs), and blended finance emerging as vital de-risking tools. This panel explores how these collaborations are transforming.

South Africa’s logistics network faces severe strain. Addressing the estimated R65 billion investment gap requires collaboration beyond the state, and Private Sector Participation is emerging as a critical solution. This discussion brings together miners, financiers, policymakers, and technical experts to explore how coordinated action can secure the competitiveness of South Africa’s logistics backbone. 

Technologies miners need for real progress 

Mining stands at a crossroads. The technologies to boost productivity, safety, and sustainability are here and already delivering tangible outcomes ; now the challenge is to scale up. 

In this Tech-in-Action session, ABB’s global Mining leaders, Björn Jonsson and Erik Pretorius, reveal how miners shift from vision to victory. Showcasing real-world implementations in electrification, automation, digitalisation and services, they illustrate full-value-chain transformations from pit to port, grid to wheel. 

Explore proven cases, from electric haulage and hoisting to cutting-edge automation, robotics, and enduring service partnerships. Learn to pilot small, scale swiftly, and partner smartly for operational excellence and  sustainability gains. 

This session is ideal for mining professionals seeking reliable tech that drives results now, not distant dreams.

This session will explore how both development and commercial financiers can better support Africa's industrialisation agenda by focusing on the challenges and opportunities in funding manufacturing projects. Emphasis will also be placed on leveraging local minerals, commodities, and metals to create competitive advantages for Africa’s manufacturing and industrialisation projects. Gain actionable solutions for development finance institutions, government, and private sector stakeholders to collaborate in deepening manufacturing value chains by using Africa’s natural resources as a strategic asset.

Join industry leaders for a focused conversation on the evolving dynamics shaping the copper markets. This session will unpack key macroeconomic drivers, price outlooks and what to watch in 2026 and beyond.

As mining operations evolve, so too must the systems that safeguard them. This panel explores how leading mining houses are replacing outdated, paper-based compliance processes with agile, cloud-based platforms that deliver real-time visibility across multiple sites. Discover how tools like HSEC Online® are transforming safety and compliance from a tick-box exercise into a strategic, data-driven function – reducing duplication, streamlining administration, and empowering teams to make faster, smarter decisions.

This session will seek to identify and brainstorm actionable policy and regulatory frameworks that better enable African governments to leverage their mineral wealth – shifting from traditional commodity extraction to a more diversified, complex economic model. It will explore how African countries can move beyond simple resource extraction to build economic complexity through industrialization, technological innovation and advanced manufacturing.

Mining’s most influential CEOs take the stage to share bold business strategies. These sessions offer a candid look at leadership decisions shaping the future, and progress, of mining.

This Industry Intel Session will spotlight the World Bank Group’s minerals and metals approach and its holistic, multisectoral support to Africa’s mining and energy transition priorities. The discussion will explore how Africa’s mineral endowment can be transformed into broad-based and lasting development through responsible exploration and production, improved governance, investment in critical infrastructure, value addition, skills development, and meaningful private-sector engagement.  

Through a high-level dialogue between government representatives, industry leaders, investors, and the World Bank Group, the session will examine practical pathways to collaboration and delivery. Panelists will discuss what success looks like from their perspectives, where support is most needed, and how public and private actors can jointly shape competitive, resilient, and inclusive mineral value chains across the continent.  

The session will feature a forward-looking conversation informed by real implementation experience, case examples, and market developments. It will help define priorities, highlight opportunities, and reinforce partnerships that position Africa as a leader in the global energy transition.

Businesses are prioritizing responsible and traceable raw material supply chains. This session will delve into the challenges and opportunities of aligning African and European raw material strategies, due diligence regulations, and digital traceability tools. Speakers from politics, industry, and civil society will discuss how international collaboration can foster investments, supply chain resilience, industrial development, and enhanced ESG performance, while addressing the realities faced by producing countries in the raw materials sector.
Presented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

South Africa has adopted a Critical Minerals Strategy and Implementation Plan that positions the country as a reliable supplier and value-adding hub for minerals essential to the global energy transition, digitalisation, and advanced manufacturing. This was further supported by the adoption of the G20 Critical Minerals Framework at the G20 Leaders Summit.

This event is designed to showcase South Africa’s critical minerals value proposition, create a direct conversation between economic Ministers and investors, and highlight concrete opportunities where South Africa is ready to partner.

This overview of Mozambique’s mining efforts will highlight how its rich reserves of coal, graphite, and heavy mineral sands are building the nation into an industrial-growth hub, as well as its emerging role in the global lithium supply chain. A secondary focus will on government initiatives to attract investment, improve infrastructure, and support sustainable mining practices, along with the partnerships enhancing exploration, production, and downstream value addition. 

With Trump administration policy now embracing a 'clean coal industry' approach, the global energy debate is shifting once more. For Africa, where coal is abundant and affordable energy source, does this mark a green light for coal investment? This panel will explore if coal investment can align with sustainability mandates of institutional investors and whether new coal developments can coexist with Just Energy Transition (JET) commitments.

Mining’s most influential CEOs take the stage to share bold business strategies. These sessions offer a candid look at leadership decisions shaping the future, and progress, of mining.

Mining’s most influential CEOs take the stage to share bold business strategies. These sessions offer a candid look at leadership decisions shaping the future, and progress, of mining.

This session will explore the strategic role of advanced manufacturing technologies and critical minerals in driving industrialisation across Africa. It will delve into how Africa can tap into its rich mineral resources to develop competitive manufacturing sectors, creating amore integrated and sustainable industrial base. Featuring insights from the WEF's recent thought leadership publications, the session will provide actionable strategies for African policymakers, industry leaders, and investors to transform these opportunities into tangible outcomes.

Mining’s most influential CEOs take the stage to share bold business strategies. These sessions offer a candid look at leadership decisions shaping the future, and progress, of mining.

This session brings together market analysts, producers, and financiers to explore the drivers behind uranium’s bullish momentum. Gain insight into price outlooks, investment flows, and where the next wave of production will come from.

As mining enters a new era of digital transformation, it faces a critical question: why reinvent the wheel when adjacent industries have already paved the way? While mining companies may not directly partner with oil and gas operators, the technology providers often work across both sectors, serving as conduits for cross-industry innovation. Learn how these shared tech ecosystems could empower mining to leapfrog legacy systems, reduce implementation risk, and benefit from mature solutions already tested in high-pressure environments

Mining’s most influential CEOs take the stage to share bold business strategies. These sessions offer a candid look at leadership decisions shaping the future, and progress, of mining.

Mining’s most influential CEOs take the stage to share bold business strategies. These sessions offer a candid look at leadership decisions shaping the future, and progress, of mining.

(Organised by the European Partnership for Responsible Minerals (EPRM) in close collaboration with the Collectif Cobalt.) 

After Brussels, Lubumbashi and Paris, this unique experience arrives in Cape Town bringing a rare opportunity to Mining Indaba 2026, where participant are invited to learn with and from one another. 

‘Cobalt’ is an interactive, participatory social experiment that blends fact and fiction to highlight the lived realities of mining and mining communities. Through role-playing, participants step into the shoes of diverse stakeholders—from community members and workers to company representatives and decision-makers—experiencing firsthand the tensions, challenges, and shared responsibilities that shape the mineral value chain. 

At its heart, the experience shines a light on local dynamics and community experiences. It invites participants to build empathy, listen deeply, and engage in open dialogue about how mining impacts people and places. The session encourages collective reflection on what responsible practices can look like when all voices—especially those closest to mining sites—are heard and valued. 

By broadening perspectives and fostering inclusive conversation, ‘Cobalt’ helps participants explore how genuine collaboration across communities, companies, and governments can drive meaningful change in the sector. 

Step into this immersive space and be part of a shared journey toward more responsible mining!

This session will explore how the automotive sector in Africa can drive economic growth by enhancing localization in manufacturing, supply chains, and component production. Hosted by the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM) and the Automotive Industrial Transformation Fund (AITF), gain insights on the collaborative role between leading global automotive OEMs, components supplier companies, mining companies and governments and how automotive industrialisation can be actively shaped.

Guinea is entering a new phase of economic acceleration, driven by large-scale mining developments and the broader national ambitions articulated under the Simandou 2040 framework

In this session, Ecobank Guinea shares a market-driven perspective on how investors, mining developers, mining project sponsors, and strategic partners can access and structure opportunities across Guinea’s mining value chain and adjacent sectors, including infrastructure, logistics, energy, and other supporting industries.

Drawing on its on-the-ground presence and regional platform, Ecobank illustrates how capital can be efficiently connected to credible local and cross-border projects, and what investors should consider when navigating market entry, partnerships, and execution in Guinea.

Rather than focusing on policy or programme governance, the discussion will centre on:
• Where bankable opportunities are emerging in Guinea today
• How mining activity is catalysing broader multi-sector growth
• Practical considerations for deploying capital in a complex but high-potential market
• How financial institutions can act as effective bridges between international capital and local execution

This session is designed for investors, financiers, project sponsors, and strategic partners 
seeking actionable insights into Guinea’s evolving investment landscape, informed by 
the Simandou 2040 context but grounded in market realities 

From boardroom to frontline – how modern leaders are reshaping what safety really means in mining today.

Safety in mining is more than metrics and compliance – it’s about leadership, decisions and the human impact of managing risk. This session combines a Leadership Master Class with a real-world operational risk use case, showing how courageous, connected leadership can transform culture using safety as a catalyst for change.  
Participants will explore examples for leading the human side of risk, coaching and empowering teams, and embedding accountability and care across operations. Through a practical example of high-potential risk containment, attendees will see how immediate interventions, field engagement, and leadership presence drive measurable results. Leave with actionable strategies to move beyond compliance to conviction, and lead safer, more resilient mining operations. 

Mining’s most influential CEOs take the stage to share bold business strategies. These sessions offer a candid look at leadership decisions shaping the future, and progress, of mining.

As the race for critical minerals intensifies, Africa is evolving from a supplier of raw materials into an emerging hub for processing and advanced manufacturing. This panel explores the next phase of value creation from midstream to downstream development. What makes a beneficiation project bankable in today’s climate, how are investors evaluating risk, and what role do co-investment structures, tax incentives, and strategic offtakes play.

The first part of this session focuses on how private capital and sovereign stakeholders are shaping Africa’s next generation of mining and infrastructure projects. Drawing on perspectives from global mining leadership, private equity, and government, this discussion will explore how early-stage project development, capital deployment strategies, and policy alignment can unlock value across the project lifecycle.

Panellists will examine what investors look for at the front end of projects, how governments can position assets to attract long-term capital, and where partnerships between private investors and state actors are most effective in accelerating development while managing risk.

One of the biggest stumbling blocks in mining’s digital transformation isn’t the technology, it’s training the workforce to use the technology. As advanced technology systems become more prevalent, the need for robust training and cultural adaptation grows more urgent. This session explores how companies are tackling the skills gap head-on and also examines the next training frontier: agentic AI. Join this session to unpack how training, cultural transformation, and OEM-led innovation are converging to make mining smarter, safer, and more human-centred.

Positioning Exxaro to be a diversified natural resources champion in Africa and beyond

Mining’s most influential CEOs take the stage to share bold business strategies. These sessions offer a candid look at leadership decisions shaping the future, and progress, of mining.

Mining’s most influential CEOs take the stage to share bold business strategies. These sessions offer a candid look at leadership decisions shaping the future, and progress, of mining.

Building on the foundations set in part 1, the second part of the session turns to the role of development finance institutions and structured finance in scaling projects from development into execution. This discussion will focus on how DFIs, state-owned investment vehicles, and advisory institutions can de-risk projects, mobilise blended capital, and support infrastructure and critical minerals development at scale.

Panellists will explore practical financing tools, risk mitigation mechanisms, and the evolving role of development finance in crowding in private capital, particularly in complex jurisdictions and large, capital-intensive projects.
 

To convene key regional producers, investors, and policymakers around one shared question:
What will it take for Africa to capture more value from its iron ore and build a globally competitive steel industry? The goal isn’t another policy talk, it’s a deal-enabling dialogue that identifies infrastructure, financing, and regulatory steps needed to unlock intra-African integration of the steel value chain.

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. Sessions will focus on the geological and mining potential, legislative frameworks and investment opportunities.

Across industries, companies have poured time and resources into climate risk assessments – often for the sake of compliance. The result? 

• Growing frustration with ESG reporting that feels like bureaucracy, not progress. 
• Assessments too high-level to guide real operational decisions. 
• A narrow focus on site-level risks, while the biggest exposures often lie across the value chain, beyond direct control. 

It’s time to shift the mindset – from checking boxes to reducing real risk. This session will explore how companies can turn climate risk assessments into pragmatic, data-driven tools that deliver measurable business value, not just reports. 

This workshop introduces Critical Mineral Ecosystems (CMEs) as a new, coordinated model to secure raw materials needed for clean energy, mobility, and digital industries amid soaring demand and fragmented global supply. CMEs address core system-level challenges—misaligned price signals, scale coordination, capital constraints, legal fragmentation, and ESG inconsistencies—by orchestrating companies, governments, and investors under shared rules and risk-mitigation tools such as pooled offtake and volatility management. Inspired by models like H2Global, CMEs aim to accelerate project bankability, provide buyers with stable and traceable ESG-compliant supply, and enable producing nations to capture fair value.  

Join us at Mining Indaba 2026 to explore how this shift from competition to coordination can redefine mineral supply security.

The traditional definition for critical minerals was defined by the global north referring to minerals needed for the energy transition. Should Africa follow this definition, is it right for its development, and is there a clear way to avoid definition overload?

Step into the “veil of ignorance” – an experiment CEOs speakers temporarily shed their identities and biases to adopt the roles of other stakeholders in the mining ecosystem.

From community leaders and regulators to industry bodies and investors, each CEO will embody a perspective not their own, challenging assumptions and fostering deeper understanding.

Through moderated dialogue and immersive role-play, the session will explore:

• How decisions might shift if stakeholders were unaware of their own position or power
• What true partnership looks like when empathy precedes strategy
• How this exercise can inform more inclusive policy, investment, and operational frameworks

As mining ventures push deeper and face increasingly complex geology, the pressure is on – not to blast harder, but to blast smarter. This panel discussion explores how cutting-edge technologies are revolutionising blasting – from digital initiation systems and real-time fragmentation analytics to AI-driven blast design and environmental impact mitigation.

As global interest in Africa’s critical minerals grows, so does the opportunity for collective action on value addition and beneficiation. Yet meaningful integration remains elusive. What tangible progress has been made toward regional and continental cohesion, and can Africa overcome the structural, political, and logistical barriers that continue to fragment its economic power?

Step into the “veil of ignorance” – an experiment where CEOs temporarily shed their identities and biases to adopt the roles of other stakeholders in the mining ecosystem. 

From community leaders and regulators to industry bodies and investors, each CEO will embody a perspective not their own, challenging assumptions and fostering deeper understanding. 

Through moderated dialogue and immersive role-play, the session will explore: 

• How decisions might shift if stakeholders were unaware of their own position or power 
• What true partnership looks like when empathy precedes strategy 
• How this exercise can inform more inclusive policy, investment, and operational frameworks

ASGM is expanding fast, along with illicit trade and security risks. This session examines how coordinated global action, through better traceability, processing and enforcement, can help governments formalise the sector and deliver measurable progress. 

China’s mining sector has leapfrogged in automation, processing, and digital integration. Explore how African mining can learn from Chinese innovation, particularly in critical minerals, remote operations, and AI, and how partnerships with Chinese tech providers can fast-track Africa’s mining sector and its industrialisation objectives. From lithium refineries to smart haulage, collaboration is the key to unlocking shared growth.

As traditional mining finance faces increasing constraints, a diverse range of less conventional sources of capital is emerging to fill the gap. From sovereign wealth funds to strategic offtakers, the mining investment landscape in 2026 is more varied than ever. This panel explores how these alternative types of capital are reshaping project financing and what investors in these segments are looking for, how mining companies can position themselves to attract this funding.

As the global conversation around critical minerals intensifies, driven by the energy transition, digitalisation, and geopolitical shifts, coal remains notably absent from most critical mineral lists. However, coal is vital to Africa’s development as a continent and is needed to generate energy in areas of the world that hold many critical mineral deposits. Does this not make it critical to the energy transition?

Conventional wisdom suggests that Africa is negatively impacted by the current geopolitical forces. Tariffs, immigration curbs, reduced development funding and a more nationalist agenda in traditional allies are risks to Africa's growth, particularly in minerals. But could the opposite be true? Could the geopolitical (dis)order have more upside than downside for the continent, through for instance - new investment and trade routes, extra focus on intra-Africa trade, and a push for local beneficiation and industrialisation? 

This debate will see two teams argue the case in opposite directions relating to Africa's place in the current geopolitical order. The views they express may not represent their personal or organisational view, but they assume the side they've been given so we can benefit from a diversity of perspectives.

China’s mining sector has leapfrogged in automation, processing, and digital integration. Explore how African mining can learn from Chinese innovation, particularly in critical minerals, remote operations, and AI, and how partnerships with Chinese tech providers can fast-track Africa’s mining sector and its industrialisation objectives. From lithium refineries to smart haulage, collaboration is the key to unlocking shared growth. 

Geopolitical tensions, supply-chain volatility, and domestic instability continue to reshape investor risk profiles. How can African markets insulate themselves from unpredictable geopolitical uncertainties while building resilience and sovereignty?

Côte d’Ivoire presents its dynamic mining sector and the government’s vision for positioning the country as a leading West African minerals hub. The session will explore recent discoveries in gold, lithium, and nickel; infrastructure developments that enhance export capacity; and the policy framework driving sustainable and inclusive growth. It will also provide updates as to the Lafigué Mine and Koné Gold Project. 

Mining companies are under growing pressure to deliver value not only to shareholders but also to the communities where they operate. Innovative financing models are emerging around the globe, from revenue-sharing agreements and blended finance partnerships to community bonds and equity stakes. This session will explore how miners, investors, and governments can reframe community engagement as an investment strategy rather than a compliance exercise.

South Africa’s economic revival hinges on robust collaboration between the public and private sectors. This panel examines how strategic partnerships can unlock growth, strengthen resilience, and position the economy for long-term competitiveness – highlighting the pivotal role of the private sector, especially mining, in solving systemic challenges and building a resilient, competitive economy for the future. 

Key discussion areas: 
Logistics management and infrastructure recovery 
Private sector involvement has begun to ease the logistics crisis, but what’s next? How can mining continue to drive improvements in rail and port systems as part of a broader recovery strategy? 
Energy transition and transmission capacity 
Partnerships between coal producers, private players, and government are critical to advancing two priorities: the just energy transition and expanding transmission infrastructure. How can these collaborations balance sustainability with economic imperatives? 
Beneficiation and value addition 
Creating an enabling environment for mineral beneficiation is essential to adding value locally and globally. What policies and partnerships will make this possible? 

This high-level, closed-door forum convenes SADC mining ministers, senior policymakers, industry leaders, and investors to advance a coordinated regional approach to mining investment in Southern Africa. Against the backdrop of growing global demand for critical minerals, the session will explore how deeper policy alignment, cross-border infrastructure development, and stronger public–private partnerships can unlock shared value, accelerate beneficiation, and position SADC as a competitive, investment-ready mining region.

Foreign powers including the US, Europe, China, and Middle Eastern players are racing to secure access to critical mineral supplies in Africa to safeguard the development of their own strategic industries - clean energy, defence, IT, etc. But will this process support the critical needs of African countries and communities for sustainable and just development – or will it end up entrenching the global and local inequalities and injustices of the past?

WHAT IF Africa’s untapped mining assets were anchored in the idea that mineral wealth is an untapped currency? Could this strategic re- positioning remove the exploration blocker that Africa is struggling with and enable mining companies, investors and governments to fast track the implementation of bold, strategic alliances to open up exploration investment?

The event “Italy–Africa: Partnership Opportunities in Critical Minerals”, will be held with the presence of Vice Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy Valentino Valentini and will deepen the cooperation between Italy and Africa on critical raw materials, with a specific focus on supply‑security requirements and the Italian Government Mattei Plan, the strategic initiative for Africa aimed at fostering equal partnerships grounded in sustainable development. This event addresses the innovative Italian mineral strategy within the European CRM Act, focused on the enhancement of extraction and processing capacities in partner countries. The event will also showcase possible national and multilateral financing tools supporting investments - particularly on risk mitigation, blended finance, and project preparation. It concludes with a corporate segment on “mine‑to‑market” integration, with presentation on Italian and African best practices. 
 

Deep-time Digital Earth (DDE) is an international big science program promoting open geoscience data and AI-driven collaboration. This Mining Indaba session highlights DDE’s “Talent & Innovation” initiatives and fosters Sino-African partnerships for sustainable mineral development, and to achieve UNESCO SDGs

Manganese is a critical input for the energy transition, supporting steelmaking, infrastructure and emerging battery technologies, yet rising demand is placing increasing pressure on supply chains. This session will examine whether the manganese industry is equipped to scale responsibly, exploring how investment, policy and ESG expectations can be aligned to ensure the sector supports decarbonisation while delivering fair and inclusive outcomes for producing countries.

Mining’s most influential CEOs take the stage to share bold business strategies. These sessions offer a candid look at leadership decisions shaping the future, and progress, of mining.

Join industry leaders for a focused conversation on the evolving dynamics shaping the gold and silver markets. This session will unpack key macroeconomic drivers, price outlooks, investor sentiment, and shifting supply-demand fundamentals.

In the high-stakes world of mining, paper-based safety files are a liability. They slow you down, create admin headaches, and jeopardise compliance. Digitising safety files puts contractors and mine owners in control – it's instantly accessible, secure, and up-to-date documentation, certifications, training records, and legal requirements, all in one place. Say goodbye to bulky files, poor version control, lost or outdated docs, and slow onboarding. Instead, get real-time visibility, faster approvals, and audit-ready compliance that boosts both efficiency and safety. 
Learn how HSEC Online® leverages digitisation to streamline compliance for contractors and mine owners alike. 

In the Sahel, military-led governments are recalibrating their approach to the mining sector. New partnership models are emerging, with greater emphasis on fiscal contributions, local participation and domestic value retention. While this transition has prompted complex negotiations with operators, some countries have engaged in structured dialogue to align mining frameworks with evolving national priorities. 

Similar approaches are now being considered across the region, with implications for how mining partnerships may evolve more broadly across Africa.

Mining’s most influential CEOs take the stage to share bold business strategies. These sessions offer a candid look at leadership decisions shaping the future, and progress, of mining.

The "Ubuntu" of natural resources: Bridging India and Africa for a Just Transition
This keynote champions the 'Ubuntu' of natural resources, bridging India’s scale with Africa’s mineral potential. How the 'Transforming for Good' model shifts the focus from extraction to local beneficiation, proving that a just transition is only possible when we empower communities and prioritise a sustainable, shared future for both continents. Ensuring the energy transition is a "Just Transition" that prioritises the prosperity of the people living above the minerals as much as the technology they fuel.

The resurgence of resource nationalism and increasing export bans raise fundamental questions about ownership and value. Can governments balance supply-chain localisation with investment competitiveness, and can investors adapt to new models of shared prosperity?

This session will present Guinea’s transformation in two parts: the first will examine the "One Year of Delivery" following the Simandou launch, detailing the transition to operationalisation of the integrated mine-rail-port chain alongside the ground-breaking of two new alumina refineries and the creation of the National Mining Company (NMC). The second will assess the Simandou 2040 vision as a comprehensive roadmap for industrialisation, exploring how new institutional models like the CTG and ANAIM, paired with the country’s first sovereign rating (B+), are de-risking investments and leveraging mining infrastructure to drive long-term economic diversification.

This session is designed to align closely with the Indaba 2026 theme, Stronger together: progress through partnership, while grounding the discussion in lived community experience from critical mineral regions across Africa. The focus will be on practical lessons, and constructive models for community–company–state partnerships in the critical minerals sector.

China’s approach to investing in Africa’s mining sector is undergoing a quiet transformation from high-profile, state-driven mega deals to more discreet, commercially structured investments led by private companies. This panel explores what this shift means for African governments and junior miners seeking capital. Can Chinese investment play a meaningful role in building regional value chains? What does a "future-proof" partnership with China look like in 2026? And is there real potential for trilateral collaboration between Chinese investors, African operators, and Western DFIs in an era of strategic competition?

Are mining’s ESG priorities evolving or diluting? WHAT IF mining’s ESG priorities – decarbonisation, inclusion and diversity – could be strategically positioned as equally important to shifting business strategies, global geopolitics and commodity price fluctuation? Gain insights into what it takes to keep sustainability and equity at the heart of mining’s uncertain economic future.

Those practising resource nationalism often seek to maximise revenue, stimulate industrial development and secure strategic control over strategic minerals. Often nations have much to gain during a commodity boom but are left in a weak bargaining position during a slump.When the world is looking for transition minerals, this can often scare foreign investors. Resource nationalism rebalancing traditional global trade partnerships; is it for the better of Africa?

As mining assets accelerate and project timelines shrink, outdated permitting systems risk becoming bottlenecks. This session explores how digital platforms, AI-driven licensing workflows, and blockchain-backed transparency are transforming exploration access across Africa. It’s time to digitise the gatekeeping and unlock Africa’s mineral potential.

South Africa’s Olifants Management Model Programme (OMMP) demonstrates how shared responsibility between government, mining and industrial stakeholders can unlock infrastructure delivery by delivering successful water infrastructure across a water-deficient region. Could similar models provide a blueprint for the continent?

Zambia invites investors into a critical phase of its mining transformation, as it spotlights its ambitious aims to expand copper output and capitalise on its rich deposits of cobalt, graphite, and nickel. The 2026 showcase will discuss the Ministry's drive to unlock more than 40 newly released mining licenses, the launch of a special-purpose vehicle to hold at least 30 % state participation in incoming projects, and the push for downstream processing and value addition.

Africa stands at the heart of the global race for minerals, essential for the green energy transition, advanced robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and defense technologies. In this context of high market demands, ensuring reliable mineral access is critical. Moreover, with vast (untapped) reserves, Africa has the potential to shape the future of clean energy and technological innovation through supplying the minerals that are in high demand globally, while also stimulating sustainable development for its population through building responsible and reliable mineral supply chains. It will also address the question: is there an opportunity for African markets, including ASM? This session will be run as an interactive workshop. Looking at the full value chain, it explores the competing demands across sectors; scrutinizes the (complementary) roles and responsibilities of different actors, including governing institutions, up-, mid- and downstream companies, as well as artisanal and small-scale mining; and examines the connection between responsible investment and building secure supply chains.

Join us for the world premiere of World’s Deepest Marathon, a powerful showcase of the mining industry at its most innovative and united. Filmed 1,119 metres below sea level inside Boliden’s Garpenberg mine, this remarkable documentary follows both novice and seasoned runners – including representatives from 20 companies across the mining sector – as they prepare to confront darkness, silence and depth and run the deepest marathon ever attempted.  

The film reveals a compelling story of teamwork, courage and endurance. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to be one of the first to witness this extraordinary underground feat on the big screen, and to see modern mining’s ingenuity and ambition in action. 

Following the screening, ICMM President and co-organiser Rohitesh Dhawan will host a live panel with participants from the marathon, sharing exclusive behind-the-scenes insights into what it truly took to go the distance beneath the earth’s surface. 

Participate in an open dialogue discussion with industry peers about current trends, challenges, and opportunities in PGMs market. Expect to gain valuable insights into market forecasts, risk management strategies, and the impact of global economic factors on commodity prices.

With the continents recent political and economic shift towards gold security, this panel challenges old narratives to discuss if gold is the continents most underestimated critical mineral.
 

South Africa’s mining industry is navigating a period of significant legal evolution, from amendments to environmental legislation and the Mine Health and Safety Act, to proposed amendments to the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act. WHAT IF mining communities could proactively adapt to changing regulatory environments? WHAT IF industry engagement and collaboration was the status quo? Legislative change would remain practical and investor-friendly while growth and development imperatives were still prioritised.

Haulage trucks are the backbone of mining logistics, but in an era of automation, electrification, and data-driven operations, they’re becoming much more than just heavy movers. This discussion explores the latest advancements in haulage truck technology. Mining companies are no longer going it alone; they’re co-developing solutions with OEMs. Learn how real-world collaborations are reshaping haulage operations across Africa.