Wednesday Highlights

Exploration is vital for global mining future, but junior miners still face challenges in raising early-stage capital. This panel explores who’s funding exploration in 2026, how juniors are positioning themselves for success, and the role governments, particularly South Africa, are playing in incentivising discovery through new funds, incentives, and regulatory reforms.

A critical examination of Mines Rescue Services South Africa's  deployment of the Mobile Rescue Winder (MRW) during the highly publicised Buffelsfontein mine incident in early 2025. The MRW, a revolutionary rescue technology designed and built in South Africa, was ultimately used to retrieve 324 individuals, both survivors and fatalities, dramatically speeding up the final phase of a controversial operation. Delve into the technology's capabilities and its development journey, enabling rescue and recovery work at depths of up to 3,200 meters. This case study will provide valuable insights into the profound impact of cutting-edge technology on emergency response capabilities while navigating the complex ethical challenges of modern mining disasters. 

What does the global race for critical minerals really look like on the ground?

Lobito Bound follows an overland journey along the Lobito Corridor, exploring the human, political, and commercial realities shaping one of Africa’s most strategically important infrastructure routes. The panel brings together the filmmakers and contributors to reflect on what the film reveals about opportunity, responsibility, and decision-making across the DRC, Zambia, Angola, and beyond.

Delegates are invited to remain for a full screening of Lobito Bound, followed by informal discussion with the filmmakers.