{"id":5703,"date":"2026-02-13T07:31:53","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T07:31:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/xeroltha.com\/blog\/?p=5703"},"modified":"2026-03-05T14:38:56","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T14:38:56","slug":"the-2026-mining-indaba-choosing-africa-first-for-a-sustainable-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xeroltha.com\/blog\/the-2026-mining-indaba-choosing-africa-first-for-a-sustainable-future\/","title":{"rendered":"The 2026 Mining Indaba: Choosing Africa First for a Sustainable Future"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-path-to-node=\"1\"><span data-path-to-node=\"1,1\"><span class=\"citation-59\">The <\/span><span class=\"citation-59\">32nd Investing in African Mining Indaba<\/span><span class=\"citation-59\"> kicked off at the Cape Town ICC with a powerful sense of urgency and a clear mandate: Africa must stop being a spectator in the management of its own natural wealth<\/span><\/span><span data-path-to-node=\"1,3\">. It was a well-rounded opening ceremony that set a sophisticated tone for the days ahead, moving beyond simple extraction talk toward a future defined by industrialization and strategic sovereignty.<\/span><\/p><div class=\"03bb5c02e2f58c6bb7f372bc13011e34\" data-index=\"1\" style=\"float: none; margin:10px 0 10px 0; text-align:center;\">\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:10px;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-8677361123316975\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- ZXZ -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-8677361123316975\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"3054782407\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"\r\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script>\r\n<br><br \/>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"source-inline-chip-container ng-star-inserted\"><\/div>\n<h3 data-path-to-node=\"3\"><b data-path-to-node=\"3\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">A Strategic Imperative: Stronger Together<\/b><\/h3>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"4\"><span data-path-to-node=\"4,1\"><span class=\"citation-58\">The theme for this year, <\/span><span class=\"citation-58\">&#8220;Stronger Together: Progress Through Partnerships,&#8221;<\/span><span class=\"citation-58\"> isn&#8217;t just a catchy phrase\u2014it\u2019s a survival strategy<\/span><\/span>. <span data-path-to-node=\"4,5\"><span class=\"citation-57\">As Minister <\/span><span class=\"citation-57\">Gwede Mantashe<\/span><span class=\"citation-57\"> noted in his opening remarks, we are living through a period of intense global competition where developed economies are vying for control over African resources<\/span><\/span><span data-path-to-node=\"4,7\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5\">To counter this, the message from the leadership was clear:<\/p>\n<ul data-path-to-node=\"6\">\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"6,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"6,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Uniform Frameworks:<\/b> Africa needs a unified regulatory approach to prevent investors from playing one country against another.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"6,1,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"6,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Defining Our Own Value:<\/b> We must stop letting external powers define what &#8220;critical minerals&#8221; are and instead assess the impact these resources have on our own continental development.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"6,2,1\"><span data-path-to-node=\"6,2,1,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"6,2,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"><span class=\"citation-56\">Science &amp; Tech:<\/span><\/b><span class=\"citation-56\"> There is a pressing need to invest in local science and technology to drive the move toward industrialization<\/span><\/span><span data-path-to-node=\"6,2,1,2\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"source-inline-chip-container ng-star-inserted\"><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-path-to-node=\"7\"><b data-path-to-node=\"7\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Financing the Future: Insights from the AFC<\/b><\/h3>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"8\">One of the highlights was the discussion between Samaila Zubairu (President and CEO of the Africa Finance Corporation) and Bloomberg\u2019s Jennifer Zabasajja. The dialogue centered on the launch of the Annual Compendium of Strategic Minerals, focusing on aligning infrastructure with resource development.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"9\">A key takeaway was the call for resource nationalism in a positive sense. With global tensions rising between the East and West, the advice to African nations was simple: Choose yourself.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"9\">Limit Raw Exports: We need to pivot from exporting raw minerals to ensuring that at least 50% of value is added on-site.<\/p>\n<ul data-path-to-node=\"10\">\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"10,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"10,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Job Creation:<\/b> By processing minerals locally, we focus on creating jobs and securing our own supply chains rather than being at the mercy of global shifts.<\/p><div class=\"03bb5c02e2f58c6bb7f372bc13011e34\" data-index=\"1\" style=\"float: none; margin:10px 0 10px 0; text-align:center;\">\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:10px;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-8677361123316975\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- ZXZ -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-8677361123316975\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"3054782407\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"\r\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script>\r\n<br><br \/>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"10,1,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"10,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">The Lobito Corridor:<\/b> This project serves as a prime example of how infrastructure can meet the massive demand for steel and other minerals to build the continent&#8217;s future.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-path-to-node=\"11\"><\/h3>\n<h3 data-path-to-node=\"11\"><b data-path-to-node=\"11\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">South Africa\u2019s Progress: Delivering on Promises<\/b><\/h3>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"12\"><span data-path-to-node=\"12,1\"><span class=\"citation-55\">Minister Mantashe shared several significant milestones achieved since the last Indaba, signaling that the region is open for business but on more equitable terms<\/span><\/span><span data-path-to-node=\"12,3\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"13\"><b data-path-to-node=\"13\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Key Achievements Mentioned:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul data-path-to-node=\"14\">\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"14,0,1\"><span data-path-to-node=\"14,0,1,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"14,0,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"><span class=\"citation-54\">Virtual Core Library:<\/span><\/b><span class=\"citation-54\"> Launched by the Council for Geoscience (CGS), this digital platform transforms how geological data is accessed<\/span><\/span><span data-path-to-node=\"14,0,1,2\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"14,1,1\"><span data-path-to-node=\"14,1,1,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"14,1,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"><span class=\"citation-53\">Licensing Milestones:<\/span><\/b><span class=\"citation-53\"> Between February 2025 and January 2026, the department granted <\/span><span class=\"citation-53\">358 prospecting rights<\/span><span class=\"citation-53\"> and <\/span><span class=\"citation-53\">32 mining rights<\/span><\/span>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"14,2,1\"><span data-path-to-node=\"14,2,1,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"14,2,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"><span class=\"citation-52\">Exploration Boost:<\/span><\/b><span class=\"citation-52\"> To stimulate the high-risk prospecting phase, the requirement for BEE participation at the prospecting stage has been removed to attract more global investment into the pipeline of future mines<\/span><\/span><span data-path-to-node=\"14,2,1,2\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"14,3,1\"><span data-path-to-node=\"14,3,1,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"14,3,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"><span class=\"citation-51\">Safety Records:<\/span><\/b><span class=\"citation-51\"> The industry achieved its lowest fatalities on record, with 41 lives lost in 2025 compared to 42 in 2024\u2014a grim reminder that the journey toward &#8220;Zero-Harm&#8221; continues<\/span><\/span><span data-path-to-node=\"14,3,1,2\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"source-inline-chip-container ng-star-inserted\"><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-path-to-node=\"16\"><b data-path-to-node=\"16\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Final Thoughts<\/b><\/h3>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"17\"><span data-path-to-node=\"17,0\">The opening ceremony made it clear that the &#8220;Green Mineral&#8221; rush of 2026 cannot mirror the mineral revolutions of the past. <\/span><span data-path-to-node=\"17,2\"><span class=\"citation-50\">From the <\/span><span class=\"citation-50\">Junior Mining Exploration Fund<\/span><span class=\"citation-50\"> supporting rare earth projects in the Free State to the push for women-operated teams at the top of the industry, the focus is now on inclusive, data-driven growth<\/span><\/span><span data-path-to-node=\"17,4\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"18\">As we navigate the sessions this week, the goal remains: ensure Africa captures the true value of its endowment.<\/p>\n\n<div style=\"font-size: 0px; height: 0px; line-height: 0px; margin: 0; padding: 0; clear: both;\"><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 32nd Investing in African Mining Indaba kicked off at the Cape Town ICC with a powerful sense of urgency [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[190],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5703","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mining"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/xeroltha.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5703","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/xeroltha.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/xeroltha.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xeroltha.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xeroltha.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5703"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/xeroltha.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5703\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5727,"href":"https:\/\/xeroltha.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5703\/revisions\/5727"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/xeroltha.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5703"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xeroltha.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5703"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xeroltha.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5703"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}