Hot commodities, crowd funding, emerging African territories and killer ingredients for deserving funding alternatives are just some of the headliners at this week’s 2016 Junior Indaba taking place at The Country Club, in Auckland Park Johannesburg.
 
In the spot light this week will be the South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources who will address the Junior Indaba delegates on creating an enabling regulatory environment for junior mining, especially in light of current legislation and the proposed changes to the Mining Charter.
 
Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, will provide this year’s key note address on ‘Why Resources? Why Africa and Why now?’ “I’m particularly excited to add to the programme this year speakers representing different African countries showcasing what progress their host countries have made in mining, better royalty concessions, ore bodies, and licensing available to the junior miner, including Nigeria, Botswana and Rwanda” mentions CEO of Junior and Joburg Indaba, Paula Munsie.
 
Aspirations and advice for the junior sector will come from local mining legends Neal Froneman, Rob Still, Johan Dippenaar, Richard Linnell, Andy Clay, Tony Harwood and Niel Pretorius. 
 
Industry cries of ‘There is no money out there’ and ‘the cycle is dead, long live the cycle’ are just two of the home truths or myths that will be busted by a panel of renowned industry stakeholders including investment bankers, financial market strategists, attorneys, and mine owners and executives.
 
With the likelihood of increased ownership changes across the mining sector during 2016, new players are taking on positions and larger players downsizing portfolios. Due to the current market conditions, we could start to see an increase in financial backing by potential investors in junior miners.
 
“The challenges faced by junior miners are not divestment or portfolio optimization, but getting finance to buy assets or to survive with their own assets in the distressed market. Unlike majors they often have only one or a few assets, so if that asset isn't producing – this places enormous strain on the company” states Wickus Botha, Ernst & Young (E&Y) African Mining and Metals leader.
 
Following an intense weakness in commodity prices, and in the drought of traditional funding, viable alternative sources of finance will be exposed by Fiona Perrott-Humphrey, Advisor, Rothschild London.  Henk de Hoop, Business Development Director at Rand Merchant Bank will shed some light on which commodities are highest ranked to invest in, and what the real investor considerations are for juniors.
 
Junior and mid-tier companies will also be given the opportunity to present mining projects and investment opportunities including projects from the Diamonds, Platinum, Fluorspar, Fuel cells and Potash sectors.
 
The event is geared for the junior mining sector and is renowned for bringing to light solutions to tough challenges faced by this sector, through frank dialogue from credible industry speakers and invested stakeholders presently operating in this sector.  For more information and tickets, visit www.juniorindaba.com