Partnerships between government, mining companies, financiers and energy developers are increasingly being positioned as the catalyst behind South Africa’s mining recovery. This strongly aligns with the Investing in African Mining Indaba 2026 theme of “Stronger Together: Progress Through Partnerships.”

From logistics reforms and electricity stabilisation to renewable energy investment and regulatory engagement, mining leaders say collaboration is finally beginning to reverse years of decline in one of Africa’s most important mining jurisdictions. Billionaire mining entrepreneur Patrice Motsepe says South Africa’s improving competitiveness is directly linked to closer cooperation between business and government.

“They’ve done very well over the last few years in ensuring South Africa becomes a destination for investment. Part of what should take place in those partnerships is for the CEOs of the mining industry to keep telling the government what the changes are, the improvements and the areas that will ensure that South Africa is a globally competitive destination.” His comments come as Mining Indaba increasingly places partnership-led development at the centre of Africa’s mining future, reflecting a broader recognition that neither governments nor private companies can solve structural mining challenges alone.

Mining and government finding common ground

For more than a decade, South Africa’s mining industry has battled declining competitiveness amid policy uncertainty, electricity shortages, rail inefficiencies, cable theft and deteriorating infrastructure.

However, collaboration between President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration and organised business groups such as Business for South Africa has started yielding measurable results. The easing of rotational power cuts and gradual improvements in freight rail performance have helped restore confidence across the sector, particularly as commodity markets remain supportive.

According to analysts, the shift demonstrates how partnership-based problem solving is becoming increasingly critical to mining investment decisions. “Investors want certainty, but they also want evidence that government and industry are capable of executing together,” says economist Dawie Roodt. “South Africa’s recent progress on energy and logistics has shown that coordinated interventions can stabilise key sectors and improve investor sentiment.”

The renewed optimism has been reflected on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, where the industrial metals and mining index has significantly outperformed the broader market this year.

Energy partnerships reshape mining economics

Nowhere is the partnership model more visible than in South Africa’s rapidly expanding private renewable energy market. Motsepe’s African Rainbow Energy recently increased its stake in SOLA Group to 83%, consolidating control of one of the country’s largest independent renewable power platforms.

The deal expands African Rainbow Energy’s exposure to a diversified renewable energy portfolio of approximately 2,000 MW, including operational and construction-stage projects across solar and battery storage infrastructure. The transaction also reflects a wider trend across the mining industry, where producers are increasingly partnering with independent power companies to secure reliable electricity, lower carbon emissions and reduce dependence on the national grid.

“Our partnership with SOLA Group over the past five years has seen the company grow significantly, delivering clean energy solutions to large South African corporates,” says SOLA Group chief executive Brian Dames. “This acquisition, together with the additional investment, supports our target of building a large-scale energy company that provides affordable clean energy to clients.”

Motsepe described the transaction as a milestone in building one of South Africa’s largest independently owned energy businesses. “This transaction also advances our objective of building ARE into a world-class African energy company,” he says.

Banks increasingly backing partnership-led infrastructure

South African banks and institutional investors are also playing a growing role in enabling mining-linked infrastructure and energy projects. Absa Group has emerged as one of the major financiers of renewable energy infrastructure linked to mining and industrial demand, reflecting a broader trend among banks seeking to support the country’s energy transition.

“Partnerships between capital providers, industry and government are essential if South Africa wants to unlock large-scale infrastructure investment,” says Jason Quinn, chief executive of Absa Group, during recent infrastructure financing discussions.

Similarly, Standard Bank Group executives have repeatedly argued that blended partnerships between mining houses, energy developers and financial institutions are becoming central to future industrial growth. “Collaboration is no longer optional in South Africa’s infrastructure environment,” said CEO Kenny Fihla in a recent industry address. “The scale of investment required means public and private stakeholders must work together to unlock economic growth.”

Exploration remains a major concern

Despite improving sentiment, significant challenges remain. South Africa’s mineral exploration spending fell for a seventh consecutive year in 2025, highlighting persistent concerns around permitting, regulatory delays and geological investment attractiveness. Government statistics show exploration expenditure declined 5.3% to R738 million last year, while total prospecting investment has fallen more than 85% over the past three decades. Industry leaders warn that without stronger exploration pipelines, South Africa risks losing future mining production capacity despite progress elsewhere.

“We have made important gains in energy and logistics reform, but exploration investment remains the lifeblood of a sustainable mining industry,” says South African Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe during a recent mining sector engagement. "We need partnerships that support junior miners, geological data development and faster licensing systems.”

A new era of collaboration

The growing alignment between mining companies, renewable energy developers, financiers and government agencies reflects a structural shift in how South Africa’s resources sector is approaching growth.

Projects such as SOLA’s wheeling agreements with companies including Sasol, Amazon and Tronox demonstrate how cross-sector partnerships are reshaping industrial energy supply in real time.
For Mining Indaba, the momentum around partnership-driven growth may represent the clearest evidence yet that its “Stronger Together” theme is resonating beyond conference halls. As South Africa attempts to reposition itself as a globally competitive mining destination, industry leaders increasingly believe the country’s recovery will depend less on isolated interventions and more on the ability of institutions, investors and businesses to work together toward shared outcomes.

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