David Sturmes-Verbreek
Chief Sourcing Officer Mwamba Mining
David Sturmes-Verbeek is the Chief Sourcing Officer at Mwamba, responsible for shaping the company’s approach to responsible sourcing, including traceability, compliance, and financial inclusion for artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) communities. His role focuses on building practical, transparent supply chains that connect trusted producers to formal markets while supporting continuous improvement at the mine level.To deliver on this mandate, David leads the development and operationalisation of WAZI, Mwamba’s digital backbone for responsible sourcing. WAZI supports due diligence, ESG monitoring, and mine-to-market traceability, providing a structured framework for managing sourcing risks and strengthening ASM supply-chain integrity. David brings more than a decade of field and research experience across East, Central, and West Africa, with work spanning ASM gold, copper-cobalt, and diamonds. His research has informed value-chain design, market-access strategies, and context-appropriate risk-management approaches. He is also an experienced auditor, having audited and supported refiners and aggregators in aligning with OECD, RMI, and LBMA standards. Before joining Mwamba, David co-founded The Impact Facility and the Fair Cobalt Alliance, and later helped found gEmA, a small traceable jewellery initiative sourcing exclusively from responsible ASM operations. He contributes to sector dialogues and serves on advisory boards for Mining Indaba and Mining 2030.
2026 Agenda Sessions
‘Cobalt’: an immersive, community-centred social experiment
(Organised by the European Partnership for Responsible Minerals (EPRM) in close collaboration with the Collectif Cobalt.)
After Brussels, Lubumbashi and Paris, this unique experience arrives in Cape Town bringing a rare opportunity to Mining Indaba 2026, where participant are invited to learn with and from one another.
‘Cobalt’ is an interactive, participatory social experiment that blends fact and fiction to highlight the lived realities of mining and mining communities. Through role-playing, participants step into the shoes of diverse stakeholders—from community members and workers to company representatives and decision-makers—experiencing firsthand the tensions, challenges, and shared responsibilities that shape the mineral value chain.
At its heart, the experience shines a light on local dynamics and community experiences. It invites participants to build empathy, listen deeply, and engage in open dialogue about how mining impacts people and places. The session encourages collective reflection on what responsible practices can look like when all voices—especially those closest to mining sites—are heard and valued.
By broadening perspectives and fostering inclusive conversation, ‘Cobalt’ helps participants explore how genuine collaboration across communities, companies, and governments can drive meaningful change in the sector.
Step into this immersive space and be part of a shared journey toward more responsible mining!
Monday 09 February 15:30 - 17:00 Okavango Delta Stage (CTICC2 - Level 1)
After Brussels, Lubumbashi and Paris, this unique experience arrives in Cape Town bringing a rare opportunity to Mining Indaba 2026, where participant are invited to learn with and from one another.
‘Cobalt’ is an interactive, participatory social experiment that blends fact and fiction to highlight the lived realities of mining and mining communities. Through role-playing, participants step into the shoes of diverse stakeholders—from community members and workers to company representatives and decision-makers—experiencing firsthand the tensions, challenges, and shared responsibilities that shape the mineral value chain.
At its heart, the experience shines a light on local dynamics and community experiences. It invites participants to build empathy, listen deeply, and engage in open dialogue about how mining impacts people and places. The session encourages collective reflection on what responsible practices can look like when all voices—especially those closest to mining sites—are heard and valued.
By broadening perspectives and fostering inclusive conversation, ‘Cobalt’ helps participants explore how genuine collaboration across communities, companies, and governments can drive meaningful change in the sector.
Step into this immersive space and be part of a shared journey toward more responsible mining! Okavango Delta Stage (CTICC2 - Level 1) Africa/Johannesburg
Mining investment for Shared Prosperity
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.
Tuesday 10 February 11:00 - 11:45 River Nile Stage (CTICC1 - Ground Floor - Investment Village)
Communities and indigenous people
Investment
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.
River Nile Stage (CTICC1 - Ground Floor - Investment Village) Africa/Johannesburg
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