The African mining industry is entering a new phase of optimism, with renewed investor interest and growing recognition of the continent’s role in global mineral supply chains, according to mining consulting company SRK Consulting South Africa partner and principal mining engineer Marcin Wertz.

This shift reflects a broader focus on long-term growth opportunities, including exploration, beneficiation and the use of advanced technologies suited to African mining conditions, he says.

Wertz notes that the discussions at the recent Joburg Indaba event revealed a growing appetite among investors and mining executives to move beyond the constraints of the present operating environment and to focus on the future of African mining.

Africa’s mineral wealth, he says, extends far beyond traditional commodities, offering significant potential in minerals required for new technologies and industries such as renewable energy, electric mobility, hydrogen production and healthcare.

Indeed, while the gold price has reached record highs, Wertz points out that the real opportunity lies in developing the wider range of critical and battery minerals found across the continent; but that policy uncertainty, unreliable infrastructure, high input costs and lengthy permitting processes continue to hinder progress in several African jurisdictions, including South Africa.

“Policy uncertainty remains the biggest challenge to this country’s mining sector. In such a capital-intensive industry, investors need confidence that their money will generate returns and that projects can progress without unnecessary delays,” he says.

The increased attention on critical minerals, combined with higher commodity prices, is helping to restore faith in the sector’s long-term prospects, alludes Wertz.

Permitting Delays

While progress is being made with the introduction of a new mining cadastre in South Africa, Wertz notes that delays in exploration permitting are undermining the country’s ability to attract investment.

He contrasts this with the US, where permitting can take only a matter of weeks, suggesting that Africa risks missing out on global exploration capital if such bottlenecks persist.

Nonetheless, positive steps are being taken to reverse the decline in exploration spending, highlights Wertz, adding that, at the Joburg Indaba, diversified miner Anglo American (soon to be Anglo Teck) announced a R600-million investment into a junior mining exploration fund, while the Public Investment Corporation committed R1.35-billion to early-stage projects, at least half of which is earmarked for South Africa.

“South Africa is one of the most underexplored regions in the world and urgently needs to make up for lost time,” says Wertz.

He adds that the strong turnout at the Joburg Indaba, and the tone of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe’s closing remarks reflected renewed confidence in the mining industry.

“Mantashe commended the sector for being the most transformed in South Africa and for demonstrating a spirit of collaboration that will be essential as the industry navigates a period of transition,” notes Wertz.

He believes that coordinated action among government, investors and mining companies is needed to resolve structural issues and unlock the next wave of African mineral development.