Mining Indaba 2026

Mining Indaba was the premier meeting place for mining professionals, investors, policymakers, and industry leaders who sought to shape the future of Africa’s mining sector. With a focus on investment, infrastructure, and long-term economic development, the event brought together stakeholders from across the value chain to engage in dialogue, form partnerships, and advance practical solutions.

As a sponsor of Mining Indaba 2026, we participated in the program through two panel discussions that focused on private sector participation in South Africa’s rail and port logistics, as well as on reframing Africa’s mineral wealth to accelerate exploration and long-term investment.

February 9, 12:00 p.m.—01:30 p.m. SAST 

Private Sector Participation And The Path To Reviving South Africa’s Rail And Port Logistics

South Africa’s logistics network is under significant strain, constraining growth and competitiveness across the mining sector and the broader economy. Addressing the estimated R65 billion investment gap will require coordinated action beyond the state, with private sector participation emerging as a critical lever.

The panel discussion:

• Identified the actions needed to close South Africa’s estimated R65 billion logistics investment gap, and where private capital and expertise can deliver the greatest impact.
• Examined proven public-private participation models from other markets and how they can be adapted to South Africa’s regulatory, operational, and institutional realities.
• Explored how coordinated action across government, industry, and investors can improve reliability, efficiency, and capacity across rail and port systems.
• Defined the policy clarity, accountability mechanisms, and risk-sharing frameworks required to enable long-term private sector participation while safeguarding public interests.

Moderator: Mark Evans, partner and Africa head of mining and heavy industries, Oliver Wyman

Panelists: Wimpie Pienaar head of isop & logistics, Kumba Iron Ore; James Holley Traxtion Mohamed Bhabha, Standard Bank; Nosipho Damasane, chair, Richards Bay Coal Terminal

February 10, 11:00 a.m.—11:45 a.m. SAST

Reframing Africa’s Mineral Wealth As Its Strongest Currency

What if Africa’s untapped mineral endowment were positioned not just as a resource, but as a strategic currency? This session explored whether a shift in how mineral wealth is framed could help remove exploration bottlenecks and accelerate investment across the continent.

The panel discussion:

• Reframed Africa’s mineral endowment as a strategic currency to unlock exploration investment and accelerate project development.
• Assessed the structural, financial, and policy constraints that limit exploration today, and how new partnership models can overcome these barriers.
• Identified how mining companies, investors, and governments can collaborate to fast-track exploration through aligned incentives, risk-sharing, and targeted capital deployment.
• Defined approaches that can enable sustainable value creation from mineral wealth, beyond extraction, strengthening long-term investment confidence across the continent.

Moderator: Mark Evans, partner, Energy and Natural Resources Practice, Oliver Wyman

Panelists: Martin Roberts, vice president, Discovery: Africa, Europe, Australasia, Anglo American; Segun Lawson, chief executive officer, Thor Explorations; Tim O’Connor, group exploration officer, BHP; Wale Shonibare, director, energy financial solutions, policy and regulations, African Development Bank