Diversified group AECI will use its participation at Mining Indaba 2026 to translate conversations into solid outcomes that strengthen mines, communities and the environment, aligning closely with the event’s theme, ‘Stronger together: Progress through partnership’.

According to the company, the Indaba provides a critical platform to collaborate with like-minded partners across the mining value chain to integrate blasting science, process chemistry and water stewardship into a coordinated approach that enhances resilience across the mining ecosystem.

At its stand, AECI will showcase its integrated mining offering, including precision electronic initiation systems, modern bulk explosives and digital blast design tools designed to improve safety and deliver more consistent fragmentation. In the chemicals space, the focus will be on targeted reagents and process aids aimed at improving recovery in complex platinum-group metals and copper operations, where ore bodies and processing challenges continue to intensify.

The company believes collaboration is increasingly essential as the mining sector evolves. Growth and sustainable development, it says, depend on strong partnerships between governments, mining companies, investors, communities and technology providers. AECI positions itself as a connector, actively bringing these stakeholders together to address shared priorities such as safety, skills development and sustainability.

Early engagement with regulators is highlighted as a way to unlock value by addressing operational bottlenecks before they escalate, while structured collaborative programmes can support local enterprise development and job creation. At the operational level, close planning with customers ensures that technologies and solutions are designed for on-site realities rather than theoretical applications.

Beyond operations, AECI points to community partnerships as a cornerstone of its strategy, noting that its licence to operate is closely tied to the wellbeing of host communities. The company has moved beyond compliance-driven initiatives to programmes focused on creating lasting social and economic impact.

Flagship initiatives such as Olivers Village and the Level Up Programme combine off-grid infrastructure, renewable energy and local enterprise development to stimulate sustainable livelihoods. These projects support job creation in areas including agri-entrepreneurship, water conservation and community-based baking, while also reducing environmental impact and strengthening local value chains.

Through its Cradle-to-Career Programme, AECI is investing in long-term human capital development by supporting learners from early childhood through tertiary education and into their professional lives, helping to build a pipeline of future-ready talent for the industry.

AECI invites Mining Indaba delegates to engage with its team at the 2026 event to explore how collaborative approaches can help build a stronger, more sustainable mining future – together.

Watch AECI Executive VP for mining Stuart Miller speaking to Mining Weekly at Investing in African Mining Indaba 2026, in Cape Town.