Efforts to better leverage Africa’s vast mineral resources are high on the agenda at the annual Mining Indaba, which got underway on Monday at the Cape Town Convention Centre.
The four-day gathering brings together mining giants, financiers, government officials and community leaders from across the globe.
This year’s discussions focus on practical solutions aimed at building confidence, boosting competitiveness and delivering long-term benefits for African economies.
Mining remains central to Africa’s economic story, supporting jobs, underpinning infrastructure, driving exports and supplying the minerals on which the global economy increasingly depends.
In his opening address, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis told delegates that the real opportunity lies not only in what is extracted from the ground, but in how mining can support long-term development across the continent.
This includes building local supply chains, developing skills, supporting communities and contributing to stable, growing economies. He added that the issue is not just about mining, but about confidence in Africa itself.
Africa is rich in mineral resources such as gold, copper, cobalt and other metals that are critical to manufacturing processes worldwide. The mining and extractive sector contributes a significant share of the continent’s exports, revenue and GDP each year.