Cross-institutional alignment, predictable governance structures and pragmatic policy implementation will be central to unlocking domestic and cross-border mining and associated investment, says law firm Webber Wentzel corporate partner and mining sector head Jonathan Veeran.

The theme of this year’s Investing in African Mining Indaba – Stronger together: Progress through partnerships – is set to feature legal, regulatory and policy collaboration efforts. The event will be held from February 9 to 12, in Cape Town.

Veeran, who has been closely involved in advising mining and energy clients across Africa, notes that delegates can expect the Investing in African Mining Indaba 2026 to intensify focus on the practical steps needed to sustain and expand African mining competitiveness.

“The theme recognises that mining jurisdictions, regulatory bodies, financiers and communities cannot operate in silos.”

He adds that South Africa’s reform momentum, particularly mining regulatory permitting, digitalisation and licensing efficiency, will likely feature prominently as the South African government aims to demonstrate progress in these spheres to international investors.

While legal and policy frameworks remain under close scrutiny, Veeran argues that the direction of development is encouraging, even if execution risks remain, citing positive efforts to address regulatory bottlenecks, improve collaboration between State agencies and accelerate the deployment of renewable energy for mines.

A key expectation of delegates of this year’s Mining Indaba is a sharper focus on regulatory certainty and institutional capacity across African jurisdictions.

Veeran highlights that African mining investments are increasingly shaped by transparency of processes, clarity of timelines and the uniform application of rules.

As several countries revise their mining codes to attract new capital, the quality and stability of these reforms will be under close investor scrutiny.

South Africa’s mining ecosystem continues to show resilience despite structural challenges; however, improved alignment among policymakers, regulators, utilities and industry stakeholders will be crucial for strengthening growth prospects.

“The Indaba will likely emphasise the importance of integrated institutional frameworks, as these partnerships determine how effectively emerging opportunities are realised,” adds Veeran.

Further, infrastructure reliability, including grid capacity and port performance, is expected to feature prominently in stakeholder discussions.

Veeran acknowledges the significance of the recent restructuring of State-owned enterprises and the introduction of private- sector participation in logistics, energy and freight. These developments, he emphasises, will be viewed as pivotal tests of the reform trajectory.

Renewable-energy procurement for mines is another area where partnership structures are becoming increasingly sophisticated.

As power constraints persist in several jurisdictions, Veeran says mining companies are accelerating investment in hybrid energy systems, behind-the-meter solutions and cross-border wheeling arrangements.

He expects that project developers, financiers and law firms will use the Mining Indaba platform to showcase structuring innovations that derisk these investments.

Cross-Border Collaboration, Policy Future

With the global energy transition accelerating, African mineral resources are becoming more strategically significant. Countries with critical-mineral endowments are positioning themselves to secure greater downstream value while balancing the investment conditions required to attract exploration capital.

Delegates of the Mining Indaba can, therefore, expect elevated discussion on policy harmonisation, beneficiation strategies and regional collaboration, adds Veeran.

Moreover, he emphasises that clear, coordinated frameworks that promote investment competitiveness are essential for ensuring that Africa captures long-term value.

“Greater alignment across the continent on critical-minerals policy will be a central point of discussion, and the Indaba remains a key forum for building consensus on how African countries can optimise the opportunity presented by the global energy transition.”

He also anticipates deeper conversations about community participation, inclusive development models and environmental stewardship.

As expectations regarding environmental, social and governance integration continue to expand, Veeran says mining companies are under increasing pressure to demonstrate measurable commitments and strengthen accountability structures.