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Held as part of the Investing in Africa Mining Indaba 2025, the high-level Ministerial Symposium focused on addressing pressing challenges and unlocking new opportunities within the mining sector. Key topics included critical minerals and their relevance to Africa's needs, as well as downstream beneficiation. This sentiment was echoed by Mr Denys Denya, Senior Executive Vice President, Afreximbank Group: “Africa is standing at a crossroads… We can either continue exporting our wealth… or we can take bold steps to own our resources, create jobs, and build industries that sustain prosperity for generations. The choice is ours. The time to act is now.”

Held under the theme "Building a Unified African Mining Value Chain: Enhancing Best Practice", the Ministerial Symposium reaffirmed its role as a platform for change. Discussions explored key issues such as permit issuance, resource stewardship, and downstream value addition, with a critical emphasis on establishing clear timelines for addressing these challenges.

Mr Frans Baleni, Chairperson of the Hyve Events SA Advisory Board, opened the symposium, highlighting its importance in shaping the future of the African mining industry.

Highlighting the disparity between Africa's mineral wealth and its economic reality. Minister Gwede Mantashe, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, referred to the Symposium's focus on best practices across the mining value chain, he stated, “This talks about a continent that is rich in mineral deposits but poor. We call upon all ministers to begin to temper with that”.

“The Ministerial Symposium provides a vital space for policymakers and industry leaders to commit to solutions. Collectively, they set realistic targets and track progress in resolving some of the industry's most pressing issues,” said Ms Zeinab El-Sayed, Head of Government Partners at Mining Indaba.

Key Outcomes and Commitments

The Ministerial Roundtable sessions introduced expanded, UN-style breakout discussions, accommodating larger groups to encourage inclusive and solution-driven conversations. Key objectives outlined included:

• Enhancing the efficiency of mining permit approvals to streamline investment and project development.

• Strengthening resource stewardship to ensure sustainable mining practices and equitable benefit distribution.

• Promoting domestic mineral processing and downstream value addition to maximise economic resilience and benefits for local communities.

“The insights and recommendations from this high-level dialogue will inform actionable policies and partnerships to drive progress across the sector,” Ms El-Sayed concluded.

The Investing in African Mining Indaba 2025 officially opens on Monday. It promises to be a platform where African voices take centre stage, driving the global conversation on responsible resource development.