Next year’s Investing in Africa Mining Indaba – to be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from February 6 to 9 – will operate at full capacity, as all Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted.

During a media briefing on November 9, portfolio director for the Indaba Simon Ford said that over 7 000 delegates, including high-level delegations, were expected to attend next year’s event.

The theme of the event is ‘Unlocking African Mining Investment: Stability, Security and Supply’ and is aimed at encouraging investment into Africa's mining industry.

“This theme really ensures that investment going into African mining is realising its full potential against a backdrop of lots of economic challenges around the world, but lots of opportunity as well,” said Ford.

New features will also be introduced at next year’s event, such as the Explorers Showcase, which will provide a platform for private or unlisted exploration companies in Africa to gain exposure to investors.

“ . . . demonstrating core samples from explorers at the very beginning of their mining journey, it means that we're now able, or providing a platform, to drive investment into every single stage of the mining cycle. We're working closely with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy in South Africa to do that, as it does help to support their exploration drive as well,” expressed Ford.

Topics for next year’s Indaba include the energy transition and battery metals, mining in the circular economy and resource nationalism.

Additionally, next year’s Indaba will include a tech-focussed content programme.

“We've allied [the programme] to our new infrastructure and supply chain forum and created a major three-day content programme, specifically looking at infrastructure, supply chains, technology and the convergence between all those and how it affects both mining communities and the wider global mining economy,” noted director and head of content for the Indaba Tom Quinn.