By Yemi Olakitan
The emphasis of the Investing in African Mining Indaba 2023 which takes place at the CTICC, Cape Town, from February 6–9, 2023, will be on how Africa can best take advantage of the opportunity to increase the supply of green metals for the world’s energy demands while creating meaningful value for communities. The topic of battery metals and carbon neutrality, green metals outlooks, Africa’s hydrogen potential, and approaches to develop domestic manufacturing businesses as part of mineral value addition will all be discussed at the Green Metals Day, which is sponsored by keynote sponsor JOGMEC.
Metals and mining from Africa are essential for addressing the global climate catastrophe. The continent is well-positioned to profit from the transition to green energy because it is home to 30% of the world’s mineral resources, including the essential minerals required in green technology and renewable energy.
“Mining Indaba provides the perfect platform to explore the balance between opportunity and value creation, particularly in the African context where the social licence to operate is as fundamental to success as the commodity being produced,” said Simon Ford, Portfolio Director for Investing in African Mining Indaba.
According to a Minerals for Climate Action assessment from the World Bank published in mid-2022, the demand for green metals might more than double by 2050 in order to keep up with the rising demand for renewable energy technology. Mineral-rich emerging nations, including those in Africa, will be able to propel a net-zero future thanks to this enormous increase in demand for minerals and metals. The bank suggested that attracting a portion of the investment to low- and middle-income nations might support local development, job creation, and economic growth.
“Unlocking African Mining Investment: Stability, Security, and Supply,” says Ford, “explores African mining’s opportunities to tap into the global rush for the raw materials required to ensure a cleaner future, while at the same time considering responsible sourcing and sustained, ethical supplies of these key minerals.
The International Council of Metals and Mining (ICMM), a founding partner of Mining Indaba, concurs with this viewpoint. Critical minerals are the foundation of the energy shift, but how we obtain and create them is just as crucial as how much we require, according to ICMM President & CEO Rohitesh Dhawan.
The ICMM cautioned that we are treading a fine line between an exponential rise in demand for these minerals, rising geopolitical tensions, and the need for immediate action on global issues like climate change. The ICMM supported the Paris Peace Forum’s call for responsible sourcing and production of critical minerals.
