Investing in African Mining Indaba 2023 registered a record attendance after the Covid19 pandemic, demonstrating the ever-increasing interest in investing on the continent. Indaba 2023, held from 6-9 February 2023 in Cape Town, provided delegates with an insight into the future of mining, current operational trends and exposure to investment opportunities in Africa.
“In May 2022, it was wonderful to gather once again in Cape Town for the world’s largest mining investment event, after two years of global pandemic. Going into this year’s Indaba, which returned to its traditional place in February, our aim was to continue the momentum started in 2022 and we are encouraged that once again the exhibition has resulted in an outstanding turnout.
This reaffirms the importance of the Indaba, which is receiving the most attention and support from African governments and the mining industry, with both stakeholders driving positive policy change on the continent,” said Simon Ford, Portfolio Director, Investing in African Mining Indaba.
The Mining Indaba, held at the Cape Town International Conference Centre (CTICC), was attended by more than 7 800 delegates from over 100 countries, including over 800 investors and traders. In addition, some 80 senior government officials and ministers, as well as two heads of state, were present. The mining industry was well represented, with 678 mining companies present, including 477 junior mining executives. There were also 298 exhibitor stands, including 27 newly launched explorer stands.
Highlights of the event included a keynote address by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who was later joined by the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Felix Tshisekedi, for the ‘President’s Hour’, a session focusing on the strategic advancement of the two economies through mining.
Other sessions included a fireside chat with former Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter and outgoing Minerals Council South Africa CEO Roger Baxter on South Africa’s energy landscape and solutions to move the country from electricity deficit to surplus.
With this year’s theme – ‘Unlocking African Mining Investment: Stability, Security and Supply’ – the mining sector examined the challenges, opportunities and strategies it faces in the context of the growing pressures of climate change, the impact of the COVID-19 directive and the global race to secure metal supplies for the transition to green and fair energy.
The world’s largest African mining investment event featured speakers and panelists from across the industry. These included global mining leaders such as Duncan Wanblad, Chief Executive Officer of Anglo American, Sinead Kaufman, Chief Executive Officer of Rio Tinto Minerals, Nombasa Tsengwa, CEO of Exxaro Resources, Rohitesh Dhawan, CEO of the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), and Stacy Hope, Chief Executive Officer of the International Women in Mining organisation (WIM UK).
The all-new three-day InfraTech content programme played a prominent role this year – a parallel programme that is growing in popularity. It included panel discussions with industry experts on innovation in mining technology, critical mining exploration, the just energy transition and the changing nature of work that will fuel the construction and delivery of the mines of the future.
Another new feature of Mining Indaba that attracted great interest was the “Explorer’s Showcase”. The aim of this initiative was to encourage greater interest in exploration and stimulate investment in early stage African mining. 29 exploration companies with projects in Africa and a market capitalisation of up to 25 million dollars had the opportunity to present their projects to leading investors and financiers.
The event also saw the return of the Investment Battlefield, which is a well-known platform to pit Africa’s most dynamic young mining companies against each other in a two-day programme that took place at both Hyve-owned Mining Indaba and 121 Cape Town.
During the four days of Mining Indaba, delegates also benefited from key programmes and discussions including the Ministerial Symposium, Intergovernmental Summit, Green Metals Day, Young Leaders Forum and Legal Advisors Forum.
About Investing in African Mining Indaba
Investing in African Mining Indaba is the largest mining investment event in Africa. With a proven track record of bringing together ministers, senior government officials, mining companies, small and medium sized miners, investors, professional services and mining equipment and service providers, Mining Indaba is the place to meet everyone in the mining industry in Africa and the world.
It is the must-attend event that drives the mining industry forward and offers participants unparalleled access to the entire value chain and the most influential players in the African mining industry for four days of high-quality content, deal-making and networking opportunities.
For media enquiries: Strategic Communications
Sherilee Lakmidas
- sherilee@rasc.co.za
- indaba@rasc.co.za
Sibongile Mtafu: sibongile@rasc.co.za
