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of transparent supply chains for companies that will drive a just energy transition . This club brings together companies from the automotive and electronic sectors with a goal to establish valuable business relationships and deals within the global downstream market .
The Mining Innovation & Research Battlefield returned in 2024 and after impressive pitches , Grace Akinyi , Founder of Women in Mining Kenya was selected as the winner . Convened by the Development Partner Institute ( DPI ) and Investing in African Mining Indaba , the Battlefield is a high-profile platform to unearth innovative solutions to mining ’ s intractable challenges .
Considering that South Africa is the venue for this event where the winds of change have caused the global , regional and local currents to collide in the form of the annual Mining Indaba , it seems apt to conclude on a South African note . From a local perspective , in the past year , the mining sector has proved it is critical to economic growth in South Africa once again ( as the mining industries in so many other countries do too ). It was the only sector in South Africa , per Stats SA ’ s Quarterly Employment Statistics , outside of the community , social and personal services sector , where the level of employment of Q3 2023 was higher than the pre-COVID-19 period in Q4 2029 . Mzila Mthenjane , CEO of the Minerals Council South Africa ( with 73 members , representing 90 % of South Africa ’ s mineral production , valued at R1.1-trillion in 2023 ), had this to say at the event – the issue of “ inclusivity ” and true win-win partnership is critical for the journey ahead for African Mining and its global partners . He added , “ Never before has more been expected of an industry so little trusted ” emphasising , “ Mining must reposition and renew itself ” as it rides the waves of change . •
Grace Akinyi , founder of Women in Mining Kenya was selected as the winner of the Mining Innovation & Research Battlefield .
For the past two years , Mining Indaba has given junior miners the platform to compete for investor funding in the ‘ Investment Battlefield ’. Mark Strizek , MD of Tietto Minerals submitted “ Fast-tracking the development of the Abujar Gold Project ” and emerged as the ultimate Battlefield winner . The project is located approximately 30km from the major regional city of Daloa in central western Côte D ’ Ivoire . The current resource stands at 45.5Mt @ 1.5g / t Au for 2.15Moz of contained gold . The new Junior Miners Day and Investor Day programmes which were introduced in 2024 had over-subscribed roundtable sessions , showing the growth in this sector .
© African Mining , incorporating Mining Mirror
Mzila Mthenjane , CEO of the Minerals Council South Africa said , “ Never before has more been expected of an industry so little trusted ” emphasising , “ Mining must reposition and renew itself .”
Source : Investing in African Mining Indaba 2024
© African Mining , incorporating Mining Mirror
20 • African Mining • April 2024 www . africanmining . co . za