Why Attend

• What are the inherent risks associated with mining operations that make achieving Zero Harm particularly challenging?
• How can technology support with achieving zero harm goals?
• How can artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies be leveraged to optimize Health and safety?
• How can workers be empowered to take ownership of their safety and report hazards without fear of reprisal?

1. The government factor: A landscape that offers investment-friendly options for increased infrastructure development spend, improved permitting processes and downstream value-addition is the dream. Can it be turned Into reality?
2. The investment factor: Future demand for metals has never looked brighter, but are investors willing to provide the required capital at every stage of the mining life cycle?
3. The community factor: Mining means job creation and economic opportunities, but is that enough to win the support of local communities for new projects?
4. The talent factor: Artificial intelligence holds the future to technology adoption in mining - is tomorrow's mining generation prepared at a tertiary education level for this, and what does their integration with the existing workforce look like?
5. The market factor: Are downstream buyers ready to play their part, including buying critical minerals from “risky” jurisdictions?”

• Whilst the continent remains under-explored, are African nations well equipped to ramp up their exploration activities to meet global minerals demand? 
• What supportive policies, incentives and partnerships are there available to engage with the public sector?
• Developing domestic capability - what can be done to drive further investment into African exploration projects? 
• How can governments utilise this increased drive for mineral exploration to promote further development of industry & local communities?

•    Which African nations already mine their seabeds? 
•    What does deep sea mining have to offer African nations and enterprises? 
•    Why should Africa support or resist deep sea mining? (Fisheries, chemistry, justice)
•    How can benefits and harms be fairly distributed? 

• This session will address the ‘how’ of bringing investments into local processing & refining of minerals and facilitating downstream manufacturing across Africa. 
• What are the key levers of support governments need and how can south-south & international cooperation address some of the challenges currently faced?  
• How do regional & global architectures around trade policy, technology transfer & development financing need to be reshaped to align climate ambitions with Africa’s critical minerals endowment and industrialization goals?   

• What are the cultural taboos and organisational silos that discourage open discussion about corruption?
• Does the fear of reputational damage and legal consequences prevent companies from engaging in these conversations?
• Examine the complexity of navigating different regulatory environments across countries and regions.

• What are the primary reasons people might resist technological change, and how can these be addressed?
• How do we Future-Proof African communities against the exponential rate of technological change, and get them ready for a technologically dominated workforce?
• Is the fear of the unknown, job displacement, and potential misuse of technology in hindering adoption?