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. Yet, despite this immense potential, Africa’s mining sector remains underdeveloped, accounting for less than 10% of global exploration spending and contributing marginally 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, analysing how the continent can secure sustainable, long-term investment amid heightened geopolitical and economic complexities.

• H.E. Anthony Philipson, High Commissioner to South Africa, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Keynote)

• Matthew Venturas, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa, Corporate Intelligence, S-RM (Keynote)

• Rene Awambeng, Founder & Managing Partner, Premier Invest

• Derek Crandon, Managing Director, Loinette Capital

• Franklin Edochie, Senior Vice President & Acting Head for Metals & Mining, Africa Finance Corporation.

• Sahar Sewaralthahab, Investment Director, Manara Minerals

• Namrata Thapar, Global Head of Metals & Mining, International Finance Corporation

• Kwasi Ampofo, Head of Metals and Mining, BloombergNEF (moderator)

12:00 - Mining Smarter: Harmonising ESG Standards with the Consolidated Mining Standard Initiative

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

• Grant Beringer, Chief Sustainability Executive, Barrick Gold    

• Donatien Depuydt, Business Head West Africa, Loinette Capital   

• Susannah McLaren, Head of Responsibility and Sourcing, Cobalt Institute

• Tricia Wilhelm, Group Head, Social Impact, Anglo American

• Ian Massey, Head of Corporate Intelligence, EMEA, S-RM (moderator)

18:00 - Africa’s Mining Future: A View From The Top

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 significant challenges remain, with dramatic falls in transition mineral prices over 2023 and 2024. Lead times for mining projects are longer in Africa, and public pressure has mounted for improvements in ESG standards. The mining industry continues to grapple with market volatility, rising operational costs, and growing pressure to address sustainability concerns.

In this session, leading industry figures will explore how Africa can navigate these challenges while unlocking sustainable growth. Key discussions will include mitigating geopolitical risks, operationalising ESG frameworks, attracting investment in high-risk regions, and balancing profitability with environmental stewardship.

• 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: Harnessing Technology to Transform African Mining

Venue: One & Only Cape Town, Dock Rd, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001

Technology has the potential to reshape Africa’s mining sector. Across the globe, companies are already leveraging automation and digitalisation to optimise resource utilisation, cut costs, and enhance safety. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics are turning traditional mine sites into intelligent, remotely managed hubs, reducing reliance on manual, high-risk labour. Drones, space-based monitoring, and advanced metallurgical testing are revolutionising site inspections, environmental management, and resource characterisation—prolonging asset lifespans and enabling smarter extraction strategies.

One key focus here is life cycle thinking. By properly characterising deposits, mines can identify all potential uses for extracted materials, maximising value beyond a narrow focus on select metals. This integrates advanced processing, mine water optimisation, and tailings management to reduce waste and improve environmental outcomes. Leveraging such innovations not only boosts profitability but also ensures mining projects meet stringent environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards—key to securing investor confidence.

This session will explore how African mining can unlock the full potential of Industry 4.0 while navigating the challenges of digital transformation. 

• Teo Hage, VP Technology and MD South Africa, Xcalibur Smart Mapping

• Dr. Stacy Hope, Managing Director, Women in Mining UK; Partner, ERM

• Segun Lawson, Chief Executive Officer, Thor Explorations

• Kimmo Tiilikainen, Director General, Geological Survey of Finland

• Zamani Ngidi, Business Unit Manager, M&A & Cyber Solutions, Aon South Africa (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

• H.E. Anthony Philipson, High Commissioner to South Africa, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (moderator)

18:00 - Closing Reception

Venue: Utopia Restarant, 15th Floor, 40 Chiapinni St, De Waterkant, Cape Town

• Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Minister of Electricity and Energy, Republic of South Africa

• Geordin Hill-Lewis Mayor, City of Cape Town

• Ana Hajduka Shields, Founder & CEO, Africa GreenCo

• Akinwole Omoboriowo II, Chairman & CEO, Genesis Energy