As African mining faces increasing volatility from climate change and the imperative to supply critical minerals for the global energy transition, the focus is shifting to resilience, digital transformation and leadership, and safety to sustain performance in more complex operating conditions.

With this in mind, global operations consulting firm dss+ will underscore the rising importance of operational risk, safety culture and cross-industry technology transfer in African mining, and will share practical, industry-tested lessons at the 2026 Investing in African Mining Indaba, to be held in Cape Town, from February 9 to 12.

The firm says its participation aligns with the Indaba's theme, "Stronger together: Progress through partnerships", by addressing the dual challenges of physical climate hazards such as water scarcity, extreme weather and tailings exposure, and the need to accelerate the adoption of digital and AI-driven technologies to boost efficiency and safety.

“Climate risk is no longer a future threat; it's a current operational reality impacting output and investor confidence,” the company expresses.

dss+ will discuss how mining operators can assess their physical climate exposure in operational terms, quantify potential value at risk (VAR) and prioritise adaptation measures that deliver measurable operational and financial benefit.

The company says digital transformation is emerging as a parallel priority, particularly in operations facing infrastructure constraints or legacy systems.

dss+ will, therefore, explore how mining companies can adopt mature, field-tested technologies, such as remote operations, advanced analytics and autonomous systems, to increase throughput, reduce downtime and lower exposure to high-risk tasks.

The company says these pathways enable operators to strengthen productivity while improving safety performance.

Given that leadership and safety culture underpin both climate adaptation and digital change, dss+ will thus also speak to the leadership capabilities required to guide cultural acceptance, manage operational transitions and sustain safety in more technologically complex environments.

“A strong safety culture remains foundational, as mining continues to be one of the world’s most hazardous industries,” the company says.

Moreover, dss+ will discuss how mining operators can assess their physical climate exposure in operational terms, determine a tangible VAR and focus investment on the adaptation measures that offer the greatest impact and financial return.

"Mining organisations across Africa are navigating an environment of unprecedented complexity, from volatile climate impacts to the surging demand for critical minerals.

“Resilience comes from partnership, combining rigorous data with deep operational insight and the leadership needed to make change sustainable.

“We are proud to stand with those shaping the future of a safer, more resilient, and more productive mining industry at Indaba.

“dss+ experts will be available throughout Mining Indaba 2026 in Cape Town to discuss climate and operational risk integration, leadership for safe performance, and practical pathways to digital transformation that improve productivity and safety across mining operations,” says dss+ principal Dr Gerhard Bolt.

dss+ says experts will be available throughout Mining Indaba 2026 to discuss climate and operational risk integration, leadership for safe performance, and practical pathways to digital transformation that improve productivity and safety across mining operations.