Thank you, Programme Director, for that inspiring introduction.

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. It is a great pleasure for me to welcome you all, once again, to the Investing In African Mining Indaba. Molweni. Dumelang. Asubuhi njema1 Bonjour2. Bom dia!

Let me extend a heartfelt welcome to His Excellency, President Hakainde Hichilema of the Republic of Zambia, Honourable, Minister of Minerals and Petroleum Resources Mr Gwede Mantashe; Government Ministers from our Partner Countries; Premiers; the Mayor of Cape Town, Mr Geordin Hill-Lewis; Director Generals; Your Royal Highnesses; Representatives of traditional communities; Organised labour; Investors; Members of the Mining Indaba Advisory Board; Business Leaders; distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen.

I wish to acknowledge the Mining Indaba Team for their dedication and tireless efforts in ensuring this gathering remains a premier platform for dialogue and partnership year on year. May I invite you all to join me in applauding their outstanding work.

Mining Indaba refers to a "gathering to discuss a serious matter", a forum where Africa’s voice is amplified, choices scrutinised, and where our future is shaped. As we gather this week as a continent, and as a nation that has successfully hosted global forums such as the G20 Summit, we demonstrate our capability for collaboration.

Mining, as one of our most strategic sectors, must now rise to that same level of influence, driving not only economic growth but also sustainable development across borders. Amid today’s shifting geopolitical landscape, as supply chains and investment flows are redefined, Africa’s mining sector must stand as both a pillar of growth and a foundation of global stability.

Since 1994, the African Mining Indaba has stood as a cornerstone of the continent’s mining sector, uniting professionals, investors, and industry leaders to unlock Africa’s opportunities. The 2026 edition reflects both the progress achieved and the ongoing transformation shaping our industry and the broader African narrative. Building on its legacy as the definitive platform for authentic African voices, this year’s Indaba places renewed emphasis on collective advancement. It will empower mining leaders, communities, and experts to drive the global conversation on how mining can be a force for sustainable, positive change while demonstrating that Africa is ready to lead.

To give full expression to this collective vision, the theme for this year’s event has been very intentionally chosen: “Stronger Together: Progress Through Partnerships”.

It is time for the industry to embrace deeper collaboration, by working in the best interests of all stakeholders. Together, we must expand and modernise our infrastructure; meaningfully include artisanal and smallscale miners; accelerate downstream beneficiation; and most importantly, unlock the critical mineral opportunities before us.

Ladies and gentleman, this bold direction reflects the urgent need for unity across our continent, to fast-track untapped growth across the mining value chain and drive crucial downstream industrialisation. It resonates profoundly with the South African philosophy of Ubuntu, which reminds us that our strength lies in humanity. When we stand together as stakeholders, we do more than shape the future and “in partnership we build the future now!”

Building on the groundwork laid last year, this gathering provides a dedicated platform for communities and voices essential to shaping the future of mining. This is about fostering sincere dialogue and partnership, ensuring that every voice contributes to shaping Africa’s mining future alongside investors, policymakers, and producers.

Africa stands at the cusp of a new era. The world’s transition to clean energy is accelerating, and Africa holds the keys, approximately 55% of global cobalt reserves, nearly half of global manganese, and an estimated 90% of PGM. These statistics don't just speak to our resource wealth; they speak to Africa's indispensable role in shaping the global energy future, and our readiness to lead this critical journey, not merely follow.

The "critical minerals" moment anchored in copper, lithium, cobalt, platinum group metals, and rare earth elements, represents a unique opportunity for Africa and its communities to transform resource wealth into inclusive growth, technological leadership, and long-term resilience.

We all recognise the strategic value of these minerals in powering the technology industry and driving the renewable-energy revolution that will help us confront climate change. Yet this opportunity is not automatic. It demands foresight, sustained investment, and above all, a collective commitment to ensure that Africa’s mineral wealth translates into shared prosperity. If managed wisely, these resources can secure Africa’s place at the heart of global supply chains, catalyse industrialisation, and empower the people to participate meaningfully in the green transition.

However, Africa must also define what "critical" means for us. This year, we further refine our understanding: critical minerals are not just those demanded by global supply chains, but fundamentally, they are those materials essential to industrialise and fuel African economies. Notable, amongst the developments of 2025 were the significant changes across mining companies, with new leadership stepping forward to guide the industry and reaffirm its commitment to innovation and sustainability. To those leaders, we extend a warm welcome. Your vision and dedication will be vital as we navigate the challenges ahead and seize the opportunities that lies before us.

Women’s appointments to senior roles mark progress toward inclusivity, yet true representation remains limited, with few in leadership and even fewer as CEOs. This is not only about fairness but competitiveness, as diverse leadership consistently delivers stronger outcomes. Today, I urge companies, governments, and partners to accelerate the drive for women at the top, ensuring mining reflects the full breadth of talent in our societies. Minister Mantashe, I love women because my mother was a woman.

As we embrace this year’s theme, may I remind you of an African proverb: “The one who joins the hunt has a right to a share of the meat.”

We are united, as partners, in the hunt for African minerals. Together, we are shaping a prosperous future; one in which Africa secures its rightful share of the bounty.

I welcome you to Investing in African Mining Indaba 2026. Let’s unlock the full potential of our continent. And let’s refine our resources into a legacy of growth, prosperity and self-reliance for all of Africa’s people.

I thank you! Enkosi! Obrigado!