Communities and Indigenous People
Impact of Mining on the Community
Working together
By promoting mutual respect, open dialogue, and inclusive decision-making, mining operations can create meaningful benefits for local communities, protecting cultural heritage and environmental integrity in the process. The impact of mining on the community is a central consideration as Mining Indaba champions these values by fostering partnerships between communities, mining companies, and governments. Through initiatives that support skills development, job creation, and improved livelihoods, as well as by amplifying indigenous voices in shaping industry policy, the indaba places people at the heart of progress, ensuring that growth is not only equitable but sustainable for generations to come.
In partnership with
Sessions Spotlighting This Theme
Mining investment for Shared Prosperity
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.
Speakers
Moderator
Can regional alliances amplify positive community impact?
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.
Speakers
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Can partnerships pave the way for Africa’s communities to benefit from Africa’s critical minerals?
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
Speakers
Ezgi Canpolat
Social Dimensions of Climate Change & AI for Social Good – Eastern & Southern Africa
World Bank
Moderator
Can regional alliances transform mine closure into economic renewal?
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.
Speakers
Strategic Advisors
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“In a time of compounding crises, no single actor—government, company, or community—can meet the global demand for minerals responsibly and equitably alone. True progress demands bold partnership: across governments to prevent a race to the bottom, across the private sector to drive innovation, and between public, private, and community actors to ensure mining creates lasting local benefit. A pan-African approach, in concert with partners across the globe, can lead the way. When we partner with purpose, we move faster, go further, and build something that lasts.”
“I am because we are - this has always defined our identity, and our prosperity is predicated on our ability to collaborate and empower one another as we soar to greater heights.”
““Stronger together: Progress through partnerships,” resonates deeply with the challenges and opportunities we face today. This theme is more than a slogan; it’s a call to action. The need to align our strengths, resources, and expertise has never been more urgent. In a world shaped by complex social, economic, and environmental dynamics, collaboration is no longer optional—it is essential.”
“Union is strength, and results are obtained through collective work.”
“Progress doesn't happen in silos- It strives in Partnership. When the Vision of our elders meets the innovation of our youth and industry walks hand in hand with the communities, we don't just move forward, we secure the future. ""Stronger Together"" isn't a choice, It is how Africa must lead its mining Future. Real progress begins when we Build Together, Lead Together and Rise Together, because only Together we can mine with integrity and purpose.”
Featured Articles & Insights
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Social license & sustainability: Challenges & opportunities in African mining
Future-Proofing African Mining Communities
Improving Mining Permits in Africa: Transparency & Reform
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Mining Indaba moment: Doing better for communities
Future-proofing African Mining Communities
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Artisanal and Illegal Mining: A Question of Interpretation
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