Mining Series 2026 Programme
Monday 9 February
18:00 Mining Series 2026 Opening Reception
Venue: TBC
Tuesday 10 February
08:00 Panel Discussion: Leveraging Potential – Geopolitical Monitoring in African Mining
As Africa's mining sector continues to attract global investment, the complex interplay of politics, security, and regulation presents both opportunities and risks. Africa holds approximately 30% of the world’s mineral reserves, making it a critical global player in the future of energy transition and data centres. As global actors focus their geopolitical strategy on how to secure energy and technology security, partnerships with Africa countries have become essential. As geopolitical tensions continue to rise, Africa has become an important frontier with the mining sector critical to global conversations.
This panel brings together experts in geopolitics, resource governance, and mining operations to explore how real-time geopolitical monitoring can inform strategic decisions, mitigate risk, and support sustainable growth across the continent. From shifting regulatory frameworks to security volatility and international competition, this session will provide insights into how stakeholders can stay ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Venue: One & Only Cape Town, Dock Road, V&A Waterfront
12:00 Panel Discussion: Junior Miners - Exploring the Untapped Potential
As the demand for mineral resources across Africa continues to grow, junior miners are emerging as key players at the forefront of exploration and discovery. These companies take on the critical, high risk, early stages of project development, paving the way for larger-scale investments. However, the high-risk, high-reward nature of this work often deters traditional funding sources, which tend to shy away from the volatility associated with the junior mining sector. Initiatives such as the BHP Xplor demonstrate how large firms work with junior miners to share knowledge and service expertise.
This session will explore strategies to de-risk investments in the junior mining space. Discussion topics include how governments and large scale practitioners can play a more proactive role, and how innovative financing models can be developed to support early-stage exploration and foster sustainable growth across Africa’s mineral landscape.
Venue: One & Only Cape Town, Dock Road, V&A Waterfront
15:00 Panel Discussion: Strategic Corridors – Investment in the Lobito Supply Chains
The Lobito Corridor is a transformative economic route connecting the port of Lobito in Angola to the mineral-rich Katanga region in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Copperbelt in Zambia. As Africa’s first open-access transcontinental rail link, it aims to streamline supply chains for critical minerals and unlock substantial regional economic potential.
With global actors such as the United States, the European Union, the African Development Bank, and the Africa Finance Corporation engaged in the corridor. It reflects growing geopolitical interest in securing diversified and resilient critical mineral supply chains. It also highlights the potential for deeper regional integration through infrastructure-led development.
This panel will explore how investment strategies are shaping the Lobito Corridor initiative, the increasing importance of critical mineral exploration throughout the corridor and how multi-government cooperation can support in de-risking project that ensure sustainable access to critical minerals. The panel will also discuss what this means for future investment and infrastructure connectivity across the region and more broadly access to critical minerals.
Venue: One & Only Cape Town, Dock Road, V&A Waterfront
Wednesday 11 February
08:00 Panel Discussion: Mining the Future – Technology and Innovation in Africa’s Green Transition
Technology is rapidly transforming the global mining sector, and Africa stands at the cusp of this innovation wave. Automation, digitalisation, and remote operations are helping companies optimise resource use, reduce costs, and improve safety, each are critical factors in a sector facing labour shortages and rising ESG expectations.
An area where new technologies, such as blockchain, have become essential is in the sourcing, tracing and distribution of minerals. The use of blockchain technology has provided significant improvements to the transparency within the mineral supply chain with traceability of minerals more attainable. This type of innovation is also essential for aligning with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) requirements.
This session will explore how African mining can harness the full potential of emerging technologies to drive standards in traceability and replicate traceability standards in the diamonds sector across other mineral supply chains. The panel will discuss the positive outcomes on Africa’s green transition and ensuring sustainable supply chains.
Venue: One & Only Cape Town, Dock Road, V&A Waterfront
12:00 Panel Discussion: Alternative Financing and Strategic Partnerships - Clean Energy Powering Sustainable Infrastructure in Africa’s Mining Ecosystem
The African mining sector depends on a wide range of stakeholders working together to ensure reliable, efficient, and sustainable operations from exploration to export. As energy costs rise and environmental expectations increase, clean and affordable power has become a critical enabler of long-term infrastructure development across the mining value chain.
This session will explore how the financing of innovative energy solutions are transforming the way mining projects are powered. It will bring together leaders from government, private enterprise, and finance to discuss how strategic partnerships and alternative financing models can accelerate investment in sustainable energy infrastructure, driving both competitiveness and climate resilience in Africa’s mining ecosystem.
Venue: One & Only Cape Town, Dock Road, V&A Waterfront
18:00 Mining Series 2026 Closing Reception
Venue: Utopia, 40 Chiappini Street, De Waterkant