There is wealth in Africa’s metals, but the continent has yet to realise its full potential by producing locally finished products that move the continent beyond merely being a raw materials exporter and build global recognition for African-made products, says precious metals beneficiation company MetCon MD Grant Crosse.

Speaking in Cape Town at MineShift 2025, themed Earth To Art, he emphasised that it is time to move beyond exporting raw metals and establish Africa as a global force in value-added production. Jewellery comprises 48% of global gold demand, yet Africa produces less than 0.5% of jewellery consumed worldwide.

MineShift 2025, hosted on February 2 at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa ahead of the Investing in African Mining Indaba 2025, called for urgent policy support and investment in local manufacturing.

This year’s iteration of the glamorous event continued the critical conversation on how to elevate Africa’s role in downstream industries, particularly in the creation of finished products using precious metals mined on the continent.

“Last year, I visited some of the biggest jewellery events in the world – Las Vegas, Hong Kong and Vicenza. The work on display was amazing, but what stood out to me was what wasn’t there: Africa’s unique style, heritage and stories,” Crosse told guests comprising industry leaders, policymakers, jewellers and visionaries.

The venue showcased Africa’s craftsmanship, with jewellery and fashion displays that reinforced the need for the continent’s unique heritage to gain prominence on the world stage. On show were exquisite, curated works of art from designers such as Janine Binneman, Vijay Shah, Uwe Koetter and brands like Maxhosa Africa and Sindiso Khumalo.

Crosse emphasised that these designers are just a fraction of the potential that exists in Africa. 

“Our miners, who we celebrate tonight, are the backbone of this industry. They work tirelessly to support our economies and without which we would all be worse off. But here’s the question that remains with me: how do we make sure their efforts benefit a larger economy so that we get more out of their hard work?”

MineShift 2025 also underscored the importance of formalising artisanal mining to create sustainable economic opportunities. 

“Too much of Africa’s wealth – as much as $30-billion, or a ton a day, according to Swissaid –  is being removed without formalised processes, causing wide- and far-reaching damage. 

“We need the assistance of the international community of regulators and bullion associations to develop frameworks that allow Africa to formalise its artisanal mining sectors. This is not a private versus public issue – it’s about working together to drive meaningful change,” Crosse concluded.

MetCon also announced that it will donate 50% of the premium from Ubuntu Gold product sales in February 2025 to non-profit organisation Ikamva Youth, celebrating ubuntu in action.