As the Mining Indaba 2026 approaches in Cape Town, South Africa, industry stakeholders are turning their attention to the sector’s evolving focus on sustainability and value-chain development. The annual event, taking place from February 9-12, remains a key forum for discussion, deal-making and innovation in African mining.
Speaking to Channel Africa, Standard Bank’s Head of Mining in Business and Commercial Banking division in South Africa, Abe Andries, highlighted the transformative impact of global expectations on mining practices. “Mining has evolved throughout the years. The key driver that has really shaped mining to where it is today is the Environmental, Social and Governance model. Sustainable mining is pushing the sector to move away from practices that harm the environment and communities,” explained Andries.
He added that this shift has also elevated the strategic importance of certain minerals. “We are refocusing on critical minerals. Minerals that were once mined but not seen as strategic. Today, they are central to the global energy transition. Mining remains a cornerstone of the global economy, and with critical and rare earth minerals, the future is still very bright,” noted Andries.
Africa is home to some of the world’s richest deposits of minerals essential for clean-energy technologies including cobalt, copper, manganese and rare earth elements. Yet, the continent faces longstanding challenges in moving up the value chain, often exporting raw materials rather than processed or value-added products.
On how Africa can overcome these barriers, Andries pointed to structural challenges across the sector. Andries shared, “There are key differentiators like electricity that really put mining in the background. In South Africa, electricity is expensive. Across the continent, roads and infrastructure remain a challenge. These constraints force mining houses to focus on extraction and export rather than beneficiation.”
Infrastructure gaps, he said, have constrained deeper industrialisation. “Infrastructure has been neglected quite a bit. If there is anything within the mining value chain that can make the sector more sustainable, it’s ensuring that infrastructure is ready such as roads, logistics and power. Political will is also key to aligning policy and enabling development across the value chain,” concluded Andries.
The Mining Indaba 2026 is expected to showcase solutions addressing these challenges, highlighting investment opportunities in sustainable practices, value-chain development and critical mineral extraction that aligns with global energy transition goals.