While showcasing its advancement in partnership-led approaches across Africa’s mining value chain, explosives and chemicals group AECI will also use this year’s Investing in African Mining Indaba to showcase its explosives, chemicals and digital mining tools, says AECI mining executive VP Stuart Miller.

The company’s participation in the event – to be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, from February 9 to 12 – aligns closely with the Indaba’s theme – Stronger together: Progress through partnership – which places collaboration among governments, mining companies, investors, communities and technology providers at the centre of future sector growth.

The company regards partnerships as the main driver of sustainable mining outcomes, and actively works to bring regulators, customers, suppliers, investors and host communities together in terms of shared priorities such as safety, skills development and sustainability.

“In practice, this includes early engagement with regulators to address operational bottlenecks, structured programmes to support local enterprises and employment, and collaborative planning with customers to ensure technologies are suited to on-site realities,” adds Miller.

He says the Investing in African Mining Indaba provides a platform to convert these discussions into action, and AECI intends to use the event to secure joint initiatives that integrate blasting science, process chemistry and water stewardship into a coordinated approach aimed at strengthening resilience across the mining ecosystem.

At its Indaba stand, AECI will present its mining offering, which is set to include precision electronic initiation systems, modern bulk explosives and digital blast design tools that enhance safety and fragmentation consistency.

“In chemicals, the focus will be on targeted reagents and process aids that improve recovery in complex platinum-group metals and copper operations,” he says.

At the Investing in African Mining Indaba, the company will also demonstrate how data and analytics link blasting, processing and water management into a single performance loop.

Here, the biggest opportunity for collaboration lies in co-development, where mines, technology partners and AECI jointly design solutions from the outset, embedding digital tools and automation to reduce variability and energy intensity, in addition to improving ore recovery, states Miller.

With demand for critical minerals rising, AECI is positioning itself to support local value addition by deploying manufacturing and technical services closer to operations.

“This proximity improves supply resilience, shortens lead times and builds local skills. Partnerships with mining companies, logistics providers, technology firms, governments and training institutions are central to this model, ensuring that solutions are practical and skills development keeps pace with technological change,” he adds.

Engagement with regulators and governments also remains a priority, with AECI working transparently with authorities on safety standards, environmental compliance and product stewardship while collaborating on pilot projects that test new technologies under real operating conditions.

Miller believes that this approach builds regulatory confidence, strengthens social licence to operate and supports long-term value creation for Africa’s mining sector.

Community Partnerships

Community partnerships form a key pillar of AECI’s strategy, with the company’s social licence to operate closely linked to community wellbeing, which has driven the company to move beyond compliance towards long-term social and economic impact.

“Our approach focuses on education, economic development and environmental sustainability, supported by employee volunteering,” elaborates Miller.

Initiatives, such as Olivers Village and the Level Up Programme, are supported by AECI and combine off-grid infrastructure, renewable energy and local enterprise development.

“These projects support job creation in areas such as ‘agripreneurship’, water conservation and community baking while reducing environmental impact and strengthening local value chains,” he says.

AECI’s Cradle-to-Career Programme further supports learners from early childhood development to tertiary education and early career stages.

“We’re setting out to build a pipeline of future-ready talent from communities surrounding our operations,” concludes Miller.