Programme
3 February
18:00 - Opening Reception
Venue: Pier Place, Heerengracht St, Foreshore, Cape Town, 8000
H.E. Dean William Macpherson, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Republic of South Africa
Dr. Carlos Lopes, Professor at the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town
Dr. Nolwandle Mgoqi, Chief Executive Officer, Aon South Africa
4 February
08:00 - Critical Minerals, Critical Investments: Financing Africa’s Mining Renaissance
Venue: Radisson Blu Waterfront, 100 Beach Road, Granger Bay Blvd, Mouille Point, Cape Town, 8002
Africa holds approximately 30% of the world’s mineral reserves, making it a critical player in supplying the minerals essential for the energy transition – from electric vehicles to renewable energy systems. Yet, despite this vast potential, Africa’s mining sector remains underexplored, capturing less than 10% of the global exploration spend and contributing minimally to global revenues. The sector has always faced financing challenges – lengthy project timelines, price volatility, political instability, and growing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) pressures. Today, these are intensified by rising interest rates, global economic uncertainty, and geopolitical upheavals.
However, the global push towards a cleaner energy future has thrust Africa's mineral wealth into the spotlight, reigniting interest in the continent’s resources. Similarly, junior and emerging miners, historically hindered by financing difficulties, are now attracting increasing interest from capital providers, particularly for projects focused on critical minerals and high-grade iron ore.
In this session, speakers will explore the evolving financing landscape in African mining, debating how Africa can attract sustainable, long-term mining finance amid geopolitical and economic uncertainties.
Anthony Philipson, High Commissioner to South Africa, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Rene Awambeng, Founder & Managing Partner, Premier Invest
Derek Crandon, Managing Director, Loinette Capital
Namrata Thapar, Global Head of Metals & Mining, International Finance Corporation
Matthew Venturas, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa, Corporate Intelligence, S-RM
Dr. Kwasi Ampofo, Head of Metals and Mining, BloombergNEF (moderator)
12:00 - From Compliance to Competitive Edge: ESG in African Mining
Venue: Radisson Blu Waterfront, 100 Beach Road, Granger Bay Blvd, Mouille Point, Cape Town, 8002
As global demand for critical minerals, gold, and other key resources intensifies, African mining companies face mounting pressure to align with robust Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards. Beyond a regulatory requirement, ESG now represents a competitive edge, shaping access to international capital, bolstering stakeholder trust, and unlocking new growth opportunities.
A key focus of this session will be the Consolidated Mining Standard Initiative, a transformative framework aimed at harmonising ESG benchmarks across African mining operations. Speakers will examine its implications for fostering transparency, sustainability, and operational excellence.
Aidan Davy, Co-Chief Operating Officer, International Council on Mining and Metals
Donatien Depuydt, Business Head West Africa, Loinette Capital
Susannah McLaren, Head of Responsibility and Sourcing, Cobalt Institute
Dr. Stacy Hope, Managing Director, Women in Mining UK
Ian Massey, Head of Corporate Intelligence, EMEA, S-RM (moderator)
18:00 - CEO Conversation: Opportunities, Challenges, and the Future of African Mining
Venue: Radisson Blu Waterfront, 100 Beach Road, Granger Bay Blvd, Mouille Point, Cape Town, 8002
As global demand for critical minerals intensifies, Africa finds itself at the centre of a generational opportunity – one that could redefine the continent’s role in the global economy. The continent’s abundant mineral wealth – essential for powering the global shift to renewable energy – has placed it at the heart of the energy transition. But challenges remain, and the mining industry is grappling with volatile commodity prices, rising operational costs, and growing pressure to address sustainability concerns.
In this session, top industry leaders will explore how Africa can harness its vast resources for sustainable growth in an increasingly unpredictable global market. Speakers will touch on the industry’s most pressing issues, including navigating geopolitical risks, operationalising ESG commitments, unlocking investment in high-risk regions, and balancing profitability with sustainability.
Samuel Gahigi, Chief Advisor, Africa, Rio Tinto
Marie-Chantal Kaninda, President, Glencore DRC
Robert Grafen-Greaney, Team Leader, Mining, Aon (moderator)
5 February
08:00 - Mining 4.0: Transforming Africa’s Mining Sector Through AI, Automation and Innovation
Venue: One & Only Cape Town, Dock Rd, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001
Technology is poised to revolutionise Africa’s mining sector, driving efficiency, sustainability, and safety across operations. Companies are already adopting automation and digitalisation to cut costs, optimise resource utilisation, and enhance operational safety. AI, machine learning, and robotics are transforming traditional mine sites into intelligent, remotely operated hubs – reducing the need for manual, high-risk labour. What is more, the integration of drones for site inspections, space technology for environmental management, and advanced metallurgical testing is extending the lifespan of assets and reshaping how resources are discovered and utilised. These advancements are not only boosting profitability but also ensuring that mining operations meet stringent environmental, social, and governance requirements.
In this session, speakers will examine how African mining can fully capitalise on the promise of Industry 4.0 while navigating the complexities of digital transformation, covering the most promising technologies in mining, increased cyber risk in mining, and more.
Teo Hage, VP Technology and MD South Africa, Xcalibur Smart Mapping
Segun Lawson, Chief Executive Officer, Thor Explorations
Kimmo Tiilikainen, Director General, Geological Survey of Finland
Paul Pryor, Global Mining Practice Leader, Aon (moderator)
12:00 - Critical Minerals Crisis: Strategies for Bridging the Supply-Demand Gap
Venue: One & Only Cape Town, Dock Rd, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001
The race towards a clean energy future is driving an unprecedented surge in demand for critical transition metals such as lithium, cobalt, and copper, with needs projected to increase fivefold by 2050. Despite the urgent global push to cut carbon emissions, a significant supply-demand gap threatens to impede progress. The challenge is clear: how to scale up the supply of these essential minerals rapidly enough to support the swift expansion of low-carbon technologies.
Resource extraction has surged nearly 400% since 1970, with projections indicating a further 60% increase by 2060. Yet, this growth faces substantial hurdles, including protracted permitting processes, investment shortfalls, and geopolitical uncertainties. Africa’s mining industry must navigate these challenges while adhering to stringent ESG standards and mitigating the environmental and social impacts of mineral extraction. Balancing these demands with the need for sustainable practices is critical to avoiding disruption in the energy transition.
In this session, speakers will explore the pressing issues surrounding the energy transition metals supply chain, discussing and debating strategies for accelerating mineral production, including overcoming the challenges of long project lead times and geopolitical risks. The discussion will also address the importance of enhancing recycling efforts, investing in technological innovation, and ensuring responsible mining practices.
Gracelin Baskaran, Founding Director, Project on Critical Minerals Security, CSIS
Marna Cloete, President, Ivanhoe Mines
Brian Menell, Chairman and CEO, TechMet
Mzila Mthenjane, Chief Executive Officer, Minerals Council South Africa
Graeme Train, Head of Metals and Minerals Analysis, Trafigura
Mike Foster, Economic Counsellor, British High Commission Pretoria (moderator)
18:00 - Closing Reception
Venue: Utopia Restarant, 15th Floor, 40 Chiapinni St, De Waterkant, Cape Town