Latest mining developments and investment take centre stage
The annual Investing in Africa Mining Indaba kicked off on 6 February at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. South Africa will be represented by Brand South Africa and the Departments of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), Science and Innovation (DSI) and Trade, Industry and Competition, as well as state-owned entities that report to the DMRE.
Investing in African Mining Indaba, often referred to as the Mining Indaba, is an annual professional conference dedicated to the capitalisation and development of mining interests in Africa. It is currently the world's largest mining investment conference and Africa's largest mining event. For two decades, the Mining Indaba has served as the pathway for foreign investments into Africa's mining value chain, exploring opportunities ranging from small diamond deposits to mega coal projects.
The current science, technology and innovation (STI) Decadal Plan outlines the DSI’s commitment to supporting and modernising mining. STI is needed to discover, access and process low-grade, complex and deeper ore bodies, in increasingly remote locations, while maximising socio-economic returns and minimising the industry's impact on energy and water security.
The DSI and the Minerals Council South Africa have invested heavily in research, development and innovation (RDI) initiatives to drive the modernisation of mining, to increase competitiveness, improve productivity, and make mining more sustainable.
"Mining continues be to a significant contributor to our economy, but it is also energy intensive and affects the environment. It is important to ensure, not only the longevity of the sector, but also that its activities and related operations are sustainable. STI is needed to help manage escalating costs, shrinking product life cycles, time-to-market, and technical skills shortages," says the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande.
"Working with our sector partners through the Mandela Mining Precinct, launched in 2018, we facilitate the coordination of mining RDI activities and collaboration among stakeholders," added the Minister.
On Wednesday, 8 February, the DSI's Acting Deputy Director-General for Technology Innovation, Dr Rebecca Maserumule, will deliver a presentation on the hydrogen opportunity debate. In February 2022, the DSI launched the Hydrogen Society Roadmap, which is aimed at using and deploying hydrogen and hydrogen-related technologies to help achieve the country's economic development and greening objectives. RDI activities over the years have already resulted in the local manufacture of hydrogen-powered vehicles that are currently being used in mining.
More than 6 500 delegates representing nearly thousands of international companies are expected to attend the event, which runs from 6 to 9 February 2023. Delegates will engage with more than 400 sponsors and global government representatives. The participants represent nearly all the critical players in the African mining value chain. Investors, mining companies, government ministers, international press and other industry stakeholders should not miss this opportunity to network with the global mining industry. President Cyril Ramaphosa is also expected to address the delegates.
For more information:
Julian Leshilo-Sebake
Tel: 060 961 2194
E-mail: Julian.Leshilo@dst.gov.za
Enquiries:
Ishmael Mnisi
Tel: 066 037 8859
