As one of the most complex, multi-disciplinary sectors in the global economy, the mining industry is founded on partnerships. Many of these have been built over centuries, during the storied history of this most fundamental human activity. 

However, with the global economy in the midst of rapid technological and geopolitical change, mining’s place in the world is changing – and so, too, must the relationships required to meet society’s needs. 

Relationships were therefore the guiding theme of this year’s edition of the Investing in African Mining Indaba event, the biggest conference, exhibition, networking and dealmaking event on the African mining calendar. 

“Stronger together: Progress through partnerships” was the vision behind this year’s Indaba.

Especially in Africa, the mining ecosystem thrives on collaboration – requiring governments, businesses, investors, communities, and innovators to unite in their shared interest.

Modern mining value chains are in the throes of dramatic transformation, thanks to several dramatic megatrends – climate change and the emerging green economy; the need for critical minerals to build renewables technology; geopolitical instability; and rapid technological innovation.

The packed Mining Indaba agenda reflected this intersectional complexity, and the industry’s determination to understand it, adapt, and help to shape it in real time. 

It’s not just mining’s private sector that is grappling with this. State mining policies are also intensely concerned with how to manage nations’ endowment of critical minerals, and how to develop downstream opportunities flowing from that. 

There was a huge government presence at this year’s event, with state delegations everywhere to be seen across CTICC 1 & 2. Besides the ministerial symposium on the eve of the event, dedicated country showcases allowed numerous African governments to present their country’s opportunities to investors. 

At a high-powered South Africa session featuring several government ministers, SA minister of mineral and petroleum resources Gwede Mantashe emphasised that the key to developing critical minerals lay in moving down the supply chain.

“South Africa must become globally competitive by adding value to our minerals through downstream beneficiation,” he said. “That is where the real benefit lies – for business, for labour, and for our communities.”

Other sessions underlined the rapid transformation of existing supply chains, and the creation of new partnerships between original equipment manufacturers and miners – for instance with platinum-group minerals. 

Disruptive technology was another leading theme in the evolution of the mining industry. Several sessions showcased how autonomy, robotic rigs, AI and real-time data analytics, are reshaping exploration and extraction.  

The Just Energy Transition is also fundamental to the direction of the industry, as its major players discuss how to manage transformation in the best interest of the environment, the economy and the local communities most directly affected by operations. 

The Mining Indaba event, which draws more than 11 000 delegates, itself has a massive, multi-million-dollar impact on the local economy of host city Cape Town, while also allowing South Africa to position itself as a mining leader. 

“From driving investment to strengthening global partnerships, everything begins and ends with a strong nation brand,” Ms. Ipeleng Selele, Board Chairperson of Brand South Africa.

“South Africa continues to position itself as a competitive, future-focused mining destination. Our voice matters, and so does our impact. As the most industrialised economy on the continent, South Africa continues to offer stability, capability, and opportunity. At this year’s Mining Indaba, we showcased a country full of mining opportunities, grounded in responsible, sustainable and competitive progress.”

-Investing in Africa Mining 2026 ran from February 9 – 12 at CTICC 1 and 2 in Cape Town.