This May, Investing in African Mining Indaba returned to Cape Town, South Africa. The event commenced May 9th and ran through the 12th, taking place in May this year (instead of its usual February slot) due to pandemic-related delays.
The week saw a large attendance of delegates from all around the world and allowed attendees to network and engage in many pioneering discussions with large exhibitors, such as Anglo American, Exxaro and Barrick, and influential mining leaders. Mining Indaba also offers a government platform to engage with key international role players and regulators.
The conference also aims to tackles present and future challenges, bring together influential leaders and innovators and create opportunities within the African mining industry.
The local mining industry in South Africa has huge potential, which makes it attractive to international investors. 2021 saw 11% growth with levels recovering due to the pandemic.
“Mining Indaba has been a staple in Cape Town’s and the industry’s calendar. Over 6,500 mining experts descend on the city every February for five powerful days of networking. The conference makes a significant impact on the regional and wider economy of South Africa.”
-Quoted from the Mining Indaba website
The conference kicked off with several welcome addresses, including one from the Minister of Mineral Resources & Energy from the Republic of South Africa. Leaders of African nations challenged all of those in attendance to use mining to power a new and inclusive economy, not just in South Africa, but across the continent, which is blessed with an endowment of national resources. The leaders further acknowledged that it is precisely these minerals which are vital to development into a green economy using renewable energy and sustainability at the core.
Exhibits looking to the future of mining…
Major companies present at the conference impressed attendees with their exhibits, which showed off the newest technology and solutions for the mining industry, including high-level government representation of over a dozen states, life-size and interactive scale models and even a 4-D cinema experience.
Delegates were delighted to engage with each other again after an extended lockdown. The African Mining Indaba was a chance to reconnect in-person. Representatives of Techstreet were able to share information on Techstreet Enterprise standards management tools and solutions, safety and compliance, and the ASME Metals and Mining Package with several companies and governments at the conference.
Overarching themes…
The recurring theme throughout Investing in African Mining Indaba was shaped by renewable energy and innovation. Speakers and visionary leaders touched on a myriad of topics including protecting and caring for the planet, mining contributions to society, resolutions to climate change, innovative technology and more.
Also discussed was how certain rare-earth metals can help grow the renewal energy sector and the importance of a hydrogen-based energy resource, which uses platinum-group metals, all within a grasp of a vision of 2050 and beyond.
Speakers concluded with the following thought: how to re-invent mining and re-shape, not just the industry, but the world. Africa seems to be positioning itself as a global leader in an environmentally conscious mining industry that aims to hold the key to a sustainable planet.
