Domestic equipment manufacturer cluster Mining Equipment Manufacturers of South Africa (Memsa) says the Investing in African Mining Indaba is now “of exceeding significance” to the global mining audience as it addresses challenges and showcase successes.

“The event, discussions and decisions around the event, should serve as a platform for a collective African bargaining power in trade negotiations and financing for sustainable development projects, and the strengthening of pan-African cooperation,” says Memsa board member Matimba Mahange.

By proactively addressing these challenges, African countries can leverage their resource wealth to drive sustainable economic growth while navigating the complexities of global trade and environmental policies.

Mahange draws a distinct correlation between this year’s Mining Indaba theme of ‘Future Proofing African Mining, Today’ and the African Union’s African Mining Vision (AMV) – which was adopted in 2009, saying that the AMV continues to serve as a guiding framework for harnessing Africa’s mineral resources for sustainable development into the future.

“It emphasises a transformative approach, aiming to shift Africa from being a mere exporter of raw materials to a continent leveraging its mineral wealth for inclusive growth and structural transformation.”

For instance, investment from the US is on the rise in the critical minerals sector, according to Citigroup head of African markets George Asante. During the first six months of 2024, the US government facilitated more than 400 deals valued at $32.5-billion, according to the latest data by Prosper Africa.

To benefit, to the greatest extent possible, links and partnerships must be fostered by encouraging collaboration between governments, the private sector and local communities, in addition to promoting the integration of mining activities into broader economic sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and services.

The mining sector must advance skills and technologies by focusing on building human and institutional capacity to manage resources effectively and investing in research and innovation to enable Africa to benefit from modern technologies in mining, says Mahange.

The sector must also enhance value addition in minerals processing to create jobs, increase revenues and reduce the dependency on exporting raw materials.

“Mitigating social and environmental impacts through responsible mining practices that minimise environmental degradation, and the protection of local communities’ rights, are also at the fore of future proofing the mining sector,” he points out.

Making the Manufacturer

Memsa is a member-based nonprofit company that promotes the interests of its members and the sector through advocacy to government and other relevant organisations at a regional, provincial and national level.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in October 2024 with the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA) – the implementation arm of the Gauteng Department of Economic Development – serves as the foundation for the two organisations to work together towards the shared goals of investment in manufacturing, growing exports, job creation and stimulating growth in the small and medium-sized enterprise sector, Mahange explains.

The MoU envisages strategic collaboration to build competitiveness in the mining supply chain through fostering technology and skills development and supporting local companies as investors.

The GGDA has already supported Memsa’s Mind Shift Conference on Innovation, Digital Technology and Skills Development, and is committed to assisting members who face bottlenecks impeding investment.

“We will also look at developing domestic, regional and other export markets for members through collective participation in workshops, exhibitions, webinars and conferences,” he enthuses.

The MoU will also assist in bringing to realisation the regional Southern African Development Community mining capital goods market and the leveraging of the African Continental Free Trade Area mechanisms.

It also aims to provide a framework for collaboration and cooperation on mining technology development and projects while growing the South African mining capital goods and components manufacturing sector.

Moving to the Future

A growing shift towards automation, AI and smart technologies in mining operations requires manufacturers to keep up with rapid changes, says Memsa marketing and communications specialist Sue Breckenridge.

She adds that the high cost of research and development (R&D), as well as a lack of funding mechanisms, complex integration needs and skills gaps often hamper such a shift.

To make headway in moving towards a more advanced mining future, Memsa facilitates its yearly Mind Shift Conference, which brings together experts and thought leaders from the mining industry to share insights and advancements in technologies that drive safety, sustainability and efficiency.

“Clustering, through collaboration with various stakeholders, from technology companies to research institutions, encourages original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to invest in R&D partnerships,” enthuses Breckenridge, adding that it focuses on modular equipment designs that allow for upgrades and high skills investment in workforce training programmes.

Further, Memsa’s associated Innovation for Mining Awards celebrate local OEM advancements in technologies in the mining equipment sector, the winners of which are often highlighted at the Mining Indaba.

“The past three year’s awards have yielded excellent examples of machinery, equipment and solutions designed and brought to market in response to the needs of mining companies,” concludes Breckenridge.