Energy

Users & enablers

In 2026, Mining Indaba redefined the critical minerals narrative, reassessing their relevance through an African lens. While minerals vital to the global Just Energy Transition are key to Africa’s mining future, equally important are those that fuel the rise of economic industrial powerhouses across the continent. A comprehensive understanding of Africa’s strategically valuable resources – alongside the role of cohesive partnerships in unlocking their full potential – serves as the foundation for this content theme.

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Communities

Shared value in action

MI27 focuses on delivering measurable outcomes for host communities through collaboration between governments, mining companies and local stakeholders. The theme highlights skills development, jobs, resilient livelihoods and inclusive decision-making.

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Critical & Strategic Minerals

The African narrative

MI27 reframes the critical minerals conversation through an African lens. The theme explores partnerships, investment and governance needed to unlock mineral potential, support industrialisation and strengthen Africa’s role in global supply chains.

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Disruptive Technologies

Breaking technology boundaries

This theme explores how AI, automation and emerging technologies are transforming mining. Discussions focus on improving efficiency, sustainability, safety and profitability while building smarter, more resilient operations.

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Exploration

Unlocking the next generation of mineral discovery

Africa remains a leading frontier for mineral discovery. This theme explores how technology-enabled exploration can accelerate discoveries, strengthen project pipelines and reduce investment risk in a changing global market.

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Geopolitics

Minerals at the centre of a changing world

As competition for mineral supply chains intensifies, Africa’s resources are becoming increasingly strategic. MI27 explores how African nations can strengthen partnerships, increase negotiating power and maximise long-term benefits.

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Governance & Policy

Shared vision, shared goals

This theme explores how stable, transparent and forward-looking regulations can attract investment, strengthen competitiveness and ensure mineral wealth supports long-term development.

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Industrialisation

Creating value addition through industry

MI27 highlights the shift from raw exports toward local value addition and industrial growth. Discussions focus on strengthening processing capacity, supply chains and workforce skills across Africa.

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Infrastructure

Strengthening the pillar of progress

Infrastructure is key to unlocking Africa’s mineral potential. This theme focuses on investment in transport, power, water and digital networks that support mining growth and regional integration.

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Investment

Partnering for profit

MI27 explores how investment partnerships, financing solutions and shared infrastructure projects can unlock mineral resources, improve efficiency and strengthen Africa’s mining competitiveness.

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Leadership

The power of positive changemakers

This theme highlights leaders driving resilience, collaboration and innovation across mining. Discussions focus on strategies that support growth, transformation and global competitiveness.

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Sustainability

Mining with purpose: Strengthen ecosystems and societies

As mineral demand grows, responsible mining practices are increasingly important. This theme explores renewable energy, water conservation, ethical labour and environmental stewardship to support sustainable industry growth.

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