Stronger Together: Mining Community Voices at MI26

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.

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.

With volatility in traditional markets, investors are re-evaluating risk across the board. Does a more uncertain global environment make Africa’s growth story more compelling, or does it amplify existing concerns?

Africa is currently at the centre of a geopolitical scramble for transition minerals. It creates a once in a lifetime opportunity for the growth of Africa’s communities through long term value addition and investment into communities and infrastructure… However, this outcome is far from certain. There is a reality where the riches of Africa’s critical minerals end up in the hands of a small group of people, many of which are outside of Africa, and communities never see true beneficiation. This session explores the transformative potential of strategic partnerships in ensuring that Africa’s communities derive meaningful and lasting benefits from the continent’s vast reserves of critical minerals

Building on the provocative question posed in Tuesday’s community-focused session – “What if mining companies actively collaborated to deliver transformative community projects?” – this session explores how that same spirit of collaboration can be applied to mine closure. 

WHAT IF coordinating action enabled mining companies to unlock larger, more strategic investments that amplify post-closure economies well beyond the life of the mine? This session will showcase how regional alliances can support post-mining economic transitions, fund legacy infrastructure, and deliver value to impacted communities.