18 January 2023: Mining and minerals exploration has been touted as the key to unlocking
post-pandemic recoveries across Africa. To encourage greater interest in exploration, and
the role of junior miners in the mining value chain, Mining Indaba is introducing the
Explorer’s Showcase in 2023

This brand-new initiative will spotlight exploration and early development companies with
assets across Africa. It offers exploration companies with a market capitalisation of no more
than US$25 million and projects located in Africa an opportunity to present their plans to
investors and top financiers attending the event. 

“We are delighted to launch the Explorers Showcase this year, which is set up to support
early-stage mining companies with their investment drive and development. It is the first time
we are profiling explorers at Mining Indaba in such a prominent way which we believe is
critical to ensuring sustainable investment is flowing into every stage of the mining cycle,”
says Investing in African Mining Indaba Portfolio Director Simon Ford.

The initiative is sponsored by BHP Xplor and supported by South Africa’s Department of
Mineral Resources and Energy, and Afrimine. It aims to drive investor interest in Africa’s vast
mineral resource wealth and metals, which are critical to the global transition to green
energy. 

Data released by S&P Global in October 2022 showed that the post pandemic recovery that
was felt through 2021 and into 2022 encouraged further investment in exploration and the
global exploration budget increased again last year, driven mostly by strong metal process
and easier access to financing. 


S&P Global estimates that the global nonferrous exploration budget increased 16% to
US$13 billion in 2022 and that exploration budgets targeted at Africa continued to grow,
allowing Africa to maintain its 10% of the global budget.

Last year, South African Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe set a
target for South Africa to grow its share of global exploration investment from less than 1%
currently to 5% within the next 5 years. This aspiration is supported by an exploration
strategy that also strives to position South Africa as a key supplier of clean technology
metals and minerals.

Ford says to compliment the Explorers Showcase, Mining Indaba has a new dedicated area
for junior mining companies, which will participate under the Junior MINE banner, and it
plans to run the Junior ESG Forum again in 2023. 

“Applications for the Explorers Showcase have closed and we are very encouraged that this
exciting new initiative for Mining Indaba 2023 has sold out”, says Ford 

Participating companies include:
• Steenkampskraal
• Carly Prints (Pty) Ltd
• Mississauga Mining & Exploration Cameroon (MMEC)
• Aterian Plc
• Deep-South Resources Inc.
• Akobo Minerals
• Cazaly Resources Ltd
• Poplar Creek Resources
• Andiamo Exploration Limited
• Noronex Limited
• Ura Holding
• Ntuthuko Resources Pty
• Sylla Gold
• Alma Gold Inc.
• Zamare Minerals
• Lethabo Exploration
• M-Resources
• Myriad Uranium Corp
• Teija Resources SA
• Sanu Gold Corp.
• SI Mining SA
• Mirex
• RexMetal
• Aracari Resources
• Daleor
• Xantus Niger Exploration