Monday Highlights

The traditional definition for critical minerals was defined by the global north referring to minerals needed for the energy transition. Should Africa follow this definition, is it right for its development, and is there a clear way to avoid definition overload?

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.

Foreign powers including the US, Europe, China, and Middle Eastern players are racing to secure access to critical mineral supplies in Africa to safeguard the development of their own strategic industries - clean energy, defence, IT, etc. But will this process support the critical needs of African countries and communities for sustainable and just development – or will it end up entrenching the global and local inequalities and injustices of the past?

Are mining’s ESG priorities evolving or diluting? WHAT IF mining’s ESG priorities – decarbonisation, inclusion and diversity – could be strategically positioned as equally important to shifting business strategies, global geopolitics and commodity price fluctuation? Gain insights into what it takes to keep sustainability and equity at the heart of mining’s uncertain economic future.

Join us for the world premiere of World’s Deepest Marathon, a powerful showcase of the mining industry at its most innovative and united. Filmed 1,119 metres below sea level inside Boliden’s Garpenberg mine, this remarkable documentary follows both novice and seasoned runners – including representatives from 20 companies across the mining sector – as they prepare to confront darkness, silence and depth and run the deepest marathon ever attempted.  

The film reveals a compelling story of teamwork, courage and endurance. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to be one of the first to witness this extraordinary underground feat on the big screen, and to see modern mining’s ingenuity and ambition in action. 

Following the screening, ICMM President and co-organiser Rohitesh Dhawan will host a live panel with participants from the marathon, sharing exclusive behind-the-scenes insights into what it truly took to go the distance beneath the earth’s surface. 

Africa’s trade and mineral corridors are central to its integration story, but also vulnerable to global realignments. As partners recalibrate their investment strategies, which corridor models can secure long-term African ownership and sustainability?

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.