Invest Africa will host its 10th annual Invest Africa Connect Mining Series in Cape Town from the 6th to the 9th of February 2023. This exclusive programme of events will host many high-level business meetings, luncheons, breakfasts and cocktail receptions - all dedicated to identifying and examining investment opportunities across the continent.

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Monday 6th February

Invest Africa Mining Series: Opening Reception

Time: 18:00 - 20:00 SAST

Location: The Winchester Hotel, 221 Beach Rd, Seapoint, Cape Town

Opening Remarks:

Terence Williams, CEO, South Africa, Aon

Guests of Honour:

H.E Gwede Mantashe, Minister of Mineral and Energy Resources, Republic of South Africa
H.E Nicolas Kazadi, Minister of Finance, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Keynote Address:

Dr. Carlos Lopes, Professor at the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town

Tuesday 7th February

Safeguarding the Future: Critical Minerals & Rare-Earth Elements Breakfast Briefing

Time: 08:00 - 10:00 SAST

Location: Southern Sun Cape Sun, 23 Strand St, Cape Town

With global demand for critical minerals and rare-earth elements surging, huge opportunities exist for supply countries and companies that can emerge as leaders. Global energy transitions will require very substantial increases in supply of many critical materials. For example, annual demand for battery materials - lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, vanadium, graphite - is expected to increase by over 450% by 2050. In the race to net-zero, Africa’s green minerals will have a key role to play and developing these resources to generate growth and benefit mining communities will be a strategic priority for African leaders at COP27. Global shipping would be the sixth highest emitter if it were a country meaning reducing unnecessary shipments and near-shoring processing could have a significant environmental impact.

But where will the new supply come from and what will it take to get new critical mineral mines and processing plants off the ground? With large supply gaps, long lead times there needs to be substantial support from policymakers, investors, financiers who will play an enormous role on the journey to low carbon economy. Panellists will discuss Africa’s role in the supply of critical minerals and the geopolitics of critical mineral supply chains, as well as deep-sea mining and other new and unconventional sources of critical raw materials.

Moderator:

Harry Dempsey, Commodities Correspondent, Financial Times

Speakers:

Andres Blanco, CEO, Xcalibur
Molebogeng Mazibuko, Vice President of Mining, Africa Finance Corporation
J. Peter Pham, Former U.S Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Region of Africa, Atlantic Council
Paul Pryor, Global Mining Practice Leader, Aon
Nompumelelo Zikalala, CEO, Kumba Iron Ore

Wednesday 8th February

ESG: Towards Circularity and Net-Zero Breakfast Briefing

Time: 08:00 - 10:00 SAST

Location: One & Only Cape Town, Dock Road, V&A Waterfront

Global interest in environment, social, and governance (ESG) issues has soared in recent years, driven by unprecedented consumer, market, and policy momentum. Africa’s mining industry is increasingly addressing these issues with innovative solutions, but governments, investors, and consumers are raising their expectations and expecting more from companies operating in the sector. Which mining assets are most vulnerable to climate change? Is Africa’s mining sector ready and able to transition to zero-carbon mining? What are the most achievable decarbonisation opportunities across the mining value chain?

Panellists will discuss circular and climate-smart approaches to mining across Africa, as well as trends in ESG regulations and reporting requirements in the mining industry and how companies can best prepare for future standards.

Opening Remarks:

Petrus Marais, Chairman, FTI Consulting

Moderator:

Bertrand Troiano, Managing Director, FTI Consulting

Speakers:

Kirsten Hund, Head of Carbon Neutrality, De Beers Group
Angela Jack, Head of Specialty Solutions, Aon
Hein Reyneke, General Manager, Mainstream Renewable Power South Africa
Mohan Vivekanandan, Group Executive: Origination & Coverage, Development Bank of Southern Africa

De-Risking African Investment: Unlocking Capital to Drive Growth

Time: 12:00 -14:00 SAST

Location: Southern Sun Cape Sun, 23 Strand St, Cape Town

As global demand for Africa’s mining resources surges, investment is still lacking compared to the demand outlook. Indeed, analysts forecast that about one third of demand for critical minerals and rare earth elements will not be met based on current investment levels. From cryptocurrencies to offtake agreements, what are some of the most un- and under-tapped financing solutions gaining traction in the market for junior and senior minors?

Panelists will discuss ways to bridge Africa’s mining finance gap, including new financing measures to advance the continent’s critical minerals sector, alternative sources of finance beyond the public markets, and persistent obstacles to investment, from perceived political risk and transparency issues to market fairness and high sovereign credit ratings.

Moderator:

Mark Taylor, CEO, Cala Capital

Speakers:

Ekaterina Autet, Senior Investment Officer, International Finance Opportunities
Segun Lawson, CEO & Chairman, Thor Explorations
Humphrey Nwugo, Regional Chief Operating Officer, Southern Africa, Afreximbank
Vincent Rouget, Director, Africa, Control Risks
Vincenzo Bellini, Director, Independent Energy Pool

Networking Reception: The Free Metals - Enabling Endless Energy (private invite only)

Time: 18:00 - 21:00 SAST

Location: Utopia, 15th Floor, 40 Chiappini St, De Waterkant, Cape Town

The global shift to cleaner energy has become of huge importance over the last decade, forcing the energy sector to search for a wider range of mineral resources to keep up with global demands. The rise of electric vehicles and the continuously increasing uptake of technologies relying on critical minerals such as Lithium, Nickel and Manganese are just some examples of how this sector will continue to undergo enormous growth.

McKinsey has forecast the production of Lithium, a mineral critical to the energy transition, to increase from 540,000 tonnes LCE in 2021 to 3.3 million tonnes by the end of this decade, reflecting the rising demand. However, investment and production must continue to increase if it is to meet such a demand. There is a huge opportunity to find new resource bases in Africa to expand production and meet the ever-increasing demand for critical minerals.

Opening Remarks: