Tuesday Highlights

It’s widely acknowledged that African countries export raw minerals without processing them locally. Policies rarely encourage downstream beneficiation, which could drive industrialization and technological innovation. Africa has the potential to leverage its vast mineral resources to become a global tech powerhouse, but mining policies need to be reoriented toward long-term innovation and sustainability.

Growing demand for energy transition metals presents an opportunity for Africa and initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area should enable African countries build supply chains and retain more value domestically. Gold demand remains strong as global economic uncertainty drives demand and platinum, cobalt, lithium and nickel share the podium as the green energy transition gathers momentum.

Transforming African governments' mining permit processes is crucial to ensuring transparency, efficiency and sustainability. Manual systems are often slow, opaque, and prone to corruption so there is an urgent need to develop online portals for mining permit applications, renewals, and status tracking.

Today's session on Artisanal & Small-Scale Mining drew a full audience, with panellists agreeing that while ASM is complex, its full potential must be realised. It's estimated that 315 million people globally are involved in ASM. So, the question is ... what steps are needed to maximise its impact on production and commodity resource? One of the several suggestions was that a clear and standardised distinction between illegal, formalized, and ASM mining be established as the differ vastly in legality, safety and production. The role ASM plays in the future-proofing of Africa is critical role as it generates economic sustainability, job creation, and responsible sourcing.