Investing in African Mining Indaba (Mining Indaba) is entering the next phase of its evolution, one defined by shifting from collaborative conversations to successful commitment delivery. As preparations begin toward Mining Indaba 2027, the event is sharpening its focus on how partnerships across African mining translate into practical outcomes and investment decisions.
South Africa’s Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resource Gwede Mantashe sees Mining Indaba as a critical platform for building and advancing partnerships, while unlocking investment.
“Through this platform, we have seen how dialogue translates into concrete action that supports growth, industrialisation and shared prosperity across the continent,” he explains.
The shift from talk to tangible results is not merely an aspiration but a strategic imperative.
African mining stands at a crossroads, with global demand for critical minerals rising and investors seeking stable, bankable projects. Against this backdrop, Mining Indaba is repositioning itself as the primary engine for deal-making and policy alignment.
A deliberate three-year journey
In line with an evolving vision, whilst continuing the momentum started in 2026, the theme for Mining Indaba 2027 is “Stronger together: Partnerships in practice.”
“This marks the next step in a deliberate three-year journey. Mining Indaba 2026 introduced a renewed industry focus on partnerships as the foundation for growth and collaboration. In 2027, that focus shifts decisively toward partnerships in practice, activating those relationships to unlock capital, enable policy and drive real project delivery across the sector,” says Laura Nicholson, Mining Indaba Industry Director.
While Mining Indaba 2026 introduced the partnerships concept, Mining Indaba 2027 will drive the next phase of industry collaboration, moving partnerships from concept to action. The Mining Indaba 2028 phase will focus on measuring the impact of partnerships.
This structured, multi-year approach ensures that the industry does not simply convene year after year without measurable progress. Instead, each phase builds on the last, creating an accountable framework for African mining development.
Record-breaking attendance signals growing influence
Mining Indaba 2026 drew the largest attendance in the event’s 32-year history. It attracted 12 000 delegates from 119 countries, including more than 1 600 investors, 1 700 executives and over 40 government ministers, emphasising the event’s growing role as a convening force for decision-makers across the sector.
The surge in government participation is particularly striking. The number of ministers attending has grown from around 14 in 2024 to more than 40, reflecting a growing appreciation of mining as a continental growth engine.
Frans Baleni, Chairman of the Mining Indaba Executive Advisory Board, says the ultimate goal is to ensure that the partnerships forged at Mining Indaba translate into tangible results.
“Execution is what will shape the competitiveness and resilience of African mining,” he says.
People remain at the heart of mining
The future of mining depends on the strength of human partnerships. People remain at the centre of mining and Mining Indaba is fully committed to the human connections that underpin the sector. The 2027 programme will continue to create space for meaningful engagement through exhibition areas, investor and mining company meetings, networking opportunities, community platforms and a high-level government programme.
“People become involved in mining because they have a passion for it,” says Nicholson. “The way to amplify partnerships in our sector is by creating platforms that celebrate that human passion.”
This human-centric philosophy extends beyond the conference halls. Mining Indaba increasingly integrates community voices, recognising that sustainable mining requires social license and local value creation.
Where policy, capital and strategy turn into execution
Mining Indaba’s convening power is increasingly critical, as African governments and industry leaders look to build stable policy, investment certainty and stronger public-private collaboration.
The number of government ministers attending the event has grown from around 14 in 2024 to more than 40 – proof of a growing appreciation for mining as a growth engine for the continent.
Major deals forged on the sidelines
In the spirit of turning partnerships into action, the most recent Mining Indaba saw several major deals being done on the sidelines of the event. These included:
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A critical-minerals MOU signed between US trader Metalex Commodities and African energy business Anzana Electric Group.
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The signing of a pact between Afreximbank and the Development Bank of Southern Africa to scale trade finance, de-risk transactions and accelerate critical-minerals beneficiation.
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An MOU between resources multinational ERG Africa and Entreprise Générale du Cobalt of DRC to formalise artisanal cobalt mining.
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Anglo American confirming it’s investing an additional R200 million into the Junior Mining Exploration Fund, bringing total funding to R600 million.
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Namibia signing on to the Luanda Accord to support the natural diamond sector.
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A R100-million infrastructure agreement between Valterra Platinum, Roads Agency Limpopo and other mining partners.
“Mining Indaba continues to expand its relevance to mining adjacent industries that represent a larger ecosystem that collectively drives greater African economic growth,” Nicholson highlights.
“Never before has an event brought all of these key stakeholders together – starting with exploration and extending through to manufacture and local value addition opportunities. This of course is all underpinned by strategic alignment between mining companies, government and investors as the core audiences that will drive this, all while ensuring impacted stakeholders like mining communities also become meaningful participants in the future.
“Senior role players, from all these industry sectors are able to make major investment and policy calls that turn partnerships into real, positive change – for the industry, and society,” she concludes.
Looking ahead
For more than 30 years, Mining Indaba has been the leading platform bringing together African mining leaders, governments, investors and communities, to build partnerships that move the sector forward.
With preparations now officially underway for Mining Indaba 2027, the message from organisers and stakeholders alike is clear: the era of conversation alone is over. From February 8–11, 2027, at the CTICC in Cape Town, Africa’s mining future will be written not in speeches, but in signed agreements, funded projects, and partnerships that deliver.
Mining Indaba 2027 runs from February 8 – 11, 2027 at the CTICC, Cape Town.
