Key government leaders and policymakers across the globe were signing up in their numbers ahead of the “world’s largest mining investment event”, Investing in African Mining Indaba, says event organiser Hyve Group.

The Mining Indaba returns to Cape Town in February 2023 with an impressive speaker line-up comprising thought leaders and decision-makers from across the mining industry.

“We saw a record-breaking Indaba in May 2022 that really set the tone for the industry and for post-pandemic events as we lead up to February 2023. We are seeing a lot of early commitment and we are encouraged by the interest we have already received. This really reaffirms the importance of the Indaba – that it is given the upmost attention and support by State officials and is really driving positive policy change across the continent,” said Investing in African Mining Indaba portfolio director Simon Ford.

Leading the charge of government leaders that will be in attendance are South African Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe and Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel.

Government leaders from mining producing countries in Africa include the Nigerian Mines and Steel Development Minister of State Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki; Ghanaian Land and Natural Resources Minister Samuel Jinapor and Lands and Natural Resources Deputy Minister George Mireku Duker; as well as Zambian Mines and Minerals Development Minister Paul Kabuswe.

Investing in African Mining Indaba continues to garner significant support across the continent, with government officials from Chad, Ethiopia, Botswana, Central African Republic, Mali, Mauritania, Namibia, Somalia and South Sudan having also made early commitments.

On the global front, US Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment Under Secretary of State Jose W Fernandez, will be in attendance. He will be joined by Special Presidential Coordinator Amos Hochstein.

Fernandez last visited South Africa in August 2022 where he participated in the US-South Africa Strategic Dialogue and co-chaired sessions that explored ways to deepen bilateral cooperation on climate and energy issues, as well as strengthen economic ties between the two countries.

The theme for 2023 is ‘Unlocking African Mining Investment: Stability, Security, and Supply’ and will feature speakers who will consider the challenges and opportunities facing the continent’s mining industry as it seeks ways to bolster its economic power amid the energy transition.

Attendees will hear from global mining leadership including Anglo American CE Duncan Wanblad; Rio Tinto’s Minerals CE Sinead Kaufman; Exxaro Resources CEO Dr Nombasa Tsengwa; Minerals Council South Africa CEO Roger Baxter; Gécamines SA chairperson Alphonse Kaputo Kalubi, and International Council on Mining and Metals CEO Rohitesh Dhawan.

The Mining Indaba will take place in Cape Town from February 6 to 9.