Returning as an in-person event, this year’s Investing in African Mining Indaba will deliver an extensive programme providing thought-leadership and networking opportunities that look to the future of mining while tackling key topics facing the industry and meaningfully engage with stakeholders to help drive investment into African mining.
This year the Mining Indaba will take place from 9 -11 May after travel restrictions at the beginning of the year were eased. The highly anticipated annual event is expected to revert to its usual timing in February 2023.
Through this year’s overarching theme – ‘Evolution of African Mining: Investing in the Energy Transition, ESG, and the Economies’ – the metals and minerals sector will examine the new challenges, opportunities and strategies being embraced by the industry amid climate change concerns, the global Covid-19 pandemic, the Ukraine-Russia conflict and the drive towards a just transition.
Mining Indaba has become a platform for senior government officials and mining ministry leaders from across Africa and beyond to convey policy reform, industry opportunities, innovation and to better position their countries to attract investment. This year is no different with the line including heads of state such as South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, the President of Botswana, Mokgweetsi Masisi, the Prime Minister of the DRC, Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde, and the newly elected President of the Republic of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema.
Key government attendees include South Africa’s Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe, the U.S. State Department Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, Jose Fernandez, and the Central African Republic’s Minister of Energy and Mines, Rufin Benam Beltoungou.
The world’s largest African mining investment event will host speakers and panellists from across the industry to explore how the sector- encompassing mine operators, investors and society – can thrive amid decarbonisation, technological advances, and the current economics.
Read: President Cyril Ramaphosa to attend Mining Indaba 2022
Mainstage highlights include a company insight with Barrick Gold’s CEO Mark Bristow, a discussion on China’s investment into Africa with Ivanhoe Mines founder, Robert Friedland, and a panel discussion on the future of coal in Africa with Exxaro Resources CEO Mxolisi Mgojo, World Coal Association CEO, Michelle Manook, and Minerals Council South Africa CEO, Roger Baxter. This year’s Indaba will also be newly appointed Chief Executive of Anglo American Group, Duncan Wanblad’s, conference debut where he will deliver a keynote on the critical role of mining in the energy transition.
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) imperatives will take a prominent role on the main stage in 2022 featuring panel sessions with financial organisations and industry bodies including the ICMM, the EITI, the United Nations, and the World Gold Council. Speakers will explore and share lessons on the progress made in mining’s ESG-focused investment environment, opportunities in the battery metals sector, advances in technology, the potential hydrogen economy and how COP26 will shape the future of mining.
The event is also introducing hotly anticipated new elements including the first-ever Research and Innovation Battlefield, a dedicated Infrastructure & Supply Chain Forum and following the acquisition of 121 Group, a bespoke investor meetings programme as part of the Mining Indaba experience.
