2026 Agenda

As competition for capital intensifies, symbolic engagement is no longer enough to unlock investment. This session brings together senior government leaders and mining CEOs to examine how alignment between public policy and private capital actually delivers results. The discussion will focus on what investors look for beyond political presence, how governments can translate strategy into bankable frameworks, and how industry and the state can align on timelines, risk allocation, and execution. Grounded in real examples, the session moves past rhetoric to explore how effective government–industry partnerships drive projects from intent to investment.

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.

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 Tech-In-Action session explores what lies beyond Industry 4.0 for mining operations, highlighting how safety driven production depends on unified, accessible platforms that integrate collision avoidance, operator alertness, personal protection, and vehicle intervention. As mines expand deeper and more complex environments emerge, technology alone cannot solve operational challenges - effective communication, collaboration, and continuous operator engagement remain critical. By viewing mining as a tightly coordinated performance where equipment and operators must work in deliberate harmony, the discussion shows how advanced safety systems can enhance both protection and productivity. The session also emphasizes the growing importance of partnerships in training, education, and change management to strengthen trust and cultivate a resilient safety culture.

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.

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!

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 

This industry roundtable will convene senior decision‑makers for a focused, action‑oriented dialogue on the policy, institutional, financial and multi‑stakeholder enablers required to accelerate regional collaboration and mobilise catalytic funding for green industrialisation and critical minerals value chains.
Bringing together ministers, development and commercial financiers, industry leaders, civic actors and technical experts, the roundtable aims to catalyse concrete commitments and partnerships. It builds on recent G20 South Africa discussions to advance priority pillars for strengthening Africa’s bargaining power, including high‑level coordination, scaled investment, aligned industrial policy, and collective action to promote rights‑based, sustainable exploitation of the continent’s mineral endowments.

 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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?

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Since its inception in 1943, Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group Co., Ltd. (XCMG) has grown to become a world leading construction and mining machinery provider. XCMG's zero-carbon smart mining integrated solution precisely addresses the core challenges of open-pit mining – high safety risks, severe pollution, elevated operational costs, and low production efficiency. Through a comprehensive industrial chain layout encompassing green energy support, eco-friendly core components and technologies, integrated green products, unmanned construction, and recycling –  collectively known as the "Five-in-One" approach – it redefines a new global model for green mine construction, paving a groundbreaking path for the green transformation of the mining industry worldwide. 
 

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.

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.

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.

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.
 

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.

Africa’s trade and mineral corridors are central to its integration story, but also vulnerable to global realignments. As partners recalibrate their investment strategies, which corridor models can secure long-term African ownership and sustainability?

WHAT IF mining companies actively collaborated to deliver transformative community projects – actively on the ground during life- of-mine operations but also by pooling cash towards legacy funding for post mine closure? Regional mining alliances could unlock larger, more strategic investments that go beyond individual efforts. By pooling resources, aligning goals, and coordinating action, these alliances could dramatically amplify the scale and sustainability of community benefits.

In partnership with Kinross, the Ministry of Mines will present on its strategic expansion of the flagship mine near Tasiast and the enhanced partnerships between the government and private sector. A particular focus will be placed on operational scale-up, infrastructure linkages and the investment and regulatory framework offering clarity for long term stability.

Caterpillar Mining will showcase how Condition Monitoring is reshaping the mining industry by turning reactive maintenance into proactive asset management. This session will explore how Caterpillar’s predictive maintenance technologies, powered by Cat® Foresight and a global network of Condition Monitoring Analysts (CMAs), deliver measurable customer value through increased uptime, reduced repair costs and optimized fleet performance. 

This Tec- in-Action session will demonstrate how Caterpillar’s data-driven insights have helped customers avoid costly failures, including in a recent case, condition monitoring that helped a customer avoid several potential failures – saving them approximately $2.6 million over the course of one year. These interventions are not theoretical; they’re real, repeatable and scalable across mining operations globally. 

Aligned with Indaba’s 2026 theme, “Stronger Together: Progress Through Partnerships,” this presentation will highlight how Caterpillar collaborates with Cat dealers and customers to deliver outcomes. From high-touch support for Tier 1 mine sites to scalable solutions for construction fleets, Caterpillar’s approach ensures that every customer receives the right insights at the right time, turning the unplanned into planned and driving maximum customer value. 

This session will demonstrate how Caterpillar Condition Monitoring is not just a technology, it’s a strategic enabler of safer, smarter, and more resilient mining operations. 

WHAT IF the real power of AI in mining lies not just in the technology, but in the partnerships that bring it to life? This session cuts through the hype to explore how miners and tech innovators are collaborating to turn AI potential into meaningful operational impact, not in the future, but today.

Over the past six  to eight months, there has been considerable discussion in the market regarding potential export controls or taxes on chrome ore aimed at supporting the South African ferrochrome industry. However, the core challenge facing this sector is not the availability of chrome ore feedstock – which remains sufficient – but rather securing access to sustainable, competitively priced electricity. The critical question is: How can mineral beneficiation be advanced in a way that strengthens the industry without adversely impacting existing operations?

Africa’s energy challenge is no longer generation, but the transmission and distribution of electricity. Mining operations, industrial parks, and communities are constrained by the lack of grid connectivity. How can governments, utilities, and the private sector mobilise capital and policy reform to expand transmission capacity?

This exclusive breakfast briefing showcases the Democratic Republic of Congo’s vast mining potential, with a focus on its dominance in cobalt production, significant copper reserves, and critical role in the global battery supply chain. Led by the Ministry of Mines, a series of partner-led presentations featuring key stakeholders will highlight their efforts and success stories within the DRC. Mining companies, NGOs, and government representatives will come together to discuss the innovative partnerships, community initiatives, and advancements in critical projects taking place across the country.

The Africa Gold Council's core mission is to support Africa's gold market development by applying a data driven approach towards system building, working with partners for a domestic African end-use gold market, to curating financial product innovations. 
This session explores Africa's gold economy spanning integration of artisanal production for the economy, to cultural and market integration and the finance models that can unlock the continent's gold value chain.

Opening remarks: Africa's Gold Vision
Panel: The gold value chain: integration into market eco-systems
Panel:Gold and Culture
Panel:Financing the Gold Value Chain