The 2026 edition of the Investing in African Mining Indaba, held from 9–12 February at the CTICC in Cape Town, centered on a pivotal vision: “Stronger together: Progress through partnerships”. As the largest networking and dealmaking event on the African mining calendar, this year’s conference highlighted that while mining is a centuries-old industry, its survival now depends on evolving relationships to meet rapid technological and geopolitical shifts.
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A Sector in Transformation
The mining ecosystem, particularly in Africa, is currently navigating several global megatrends that require intense collaboration between governments, investors, and communities. Key drivers of this transformation include:
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Climate Change and the Green Economy: The urgent transition toward renewable energy.
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Critical Minerals: The rising demand for minerals essential to building renewable technologies.
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Technological Innovation: The integration of AI, autonomous systems, and real-time data analytics into exploration and extraction.
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Geopolitical Instability: Navigating a complex global landscape to secure supply chains.
Government Strategy and Downstream Value
The event saw a massive government presence, with state delegations hosting country showcases to attract investors. A major point of discussion involved state policies regarding critical minerals and the development of downstream opportunities.
Impact and Future Outlook
Beyond the high-level sessions on the Just Energy Transition and disruptive technology, the Indaba itself serves as a major economic driver for Cape Town, attracting over 11,000 delegates.
Ms. Ipeleng Selele, Board Chairperson of Brand South Africa, noted that the event allows South Africa to position itself as a stable, future-focused, and competitive mining destination. By showcasing opportunities grounded in responsible and sustainable progress, the sector aims to remain at the heart of the global industrial economy.