South African Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe opened the 32nd Investing in African Mining Indaba on Monday, emphasizing the urgency for Africa to unite in the face of global geopolitical challenges. In a speech at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Mr. Mantashe warned against attempts by developed economies to control developing countries’ natural resources, most of which are located on the African continent.
“This dynamic represents a serious threat to the sovereignty of resource-rich countries,” the minister said, referring to heightened tensions arising from international competition. This year’s theme, “Stronger Together: Progress Through Partnerships,” is not merely a slogan but a “strategic imperative” for Africa, he said. He called for collective action, a united voice and avoidance of a “destructive race to the bottom” in dealings with global powers and investors.
Strengthening continental leadership on critical minerals
Mr. Mantashe highlighted the second African Ministers’ Roundtable on Critical Minerals, organized in partnership with the African Union. The platform brings together governments, investors and strategic partners to consolidate continental leadership over these essential resources. Its objective is to deepen collaboration, accelerate responsible exploration and extraction, and ensure Africa captures greater value from its mineral endowment.
In line with the previous year’s consensus, partnerships must go beyond extraction to include industrialization and value addition closer to production sites. In 2024, South Africa launched a comprehensive study of the state of mining alongside the development of its Critical Minerals Strategy. “I am pleased to announce that this work is now complete. The strategy is in place and implementation is underway,” the minister said. Aligned with the G20 declaration, this progress positions not only South Africa but the entire continent to assert greater control over strategic resources.
Regulatory reforms to boost exploration
A central pillar of this strategy is a review of the regulatory framework. Mr. Mantashe reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating a more certain, predictable and transparent environment that attracts investment while ensuring equitable benefit sharing with all South Africans.
A flagship measure is the removal of the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) participation requirement at the prospecting stage. “This is not a retreat from transformation, nor an endorsement of the mistaken view that black participation is an obstacle to economic growth. It is a pragmatic recognition that prospecting is a high-risk phase in which no economic value has yet been proven,” the minister explained. The reform aims to stimulate exploration, increase South Africa’s global share of prospecting investment and expand the pipeline of future mines.
The efforts are already yielding results. New geological data reveals substantial untapped mineral potential beneath South African soil. One notable example is the success of projects supported by the Junior Mining Exploration Fund (JMEF). In the Bothaville district of the Free State, a JMEF-funded project has progressed toward an intensive drilling phase targeting rare earths and associated minerals, demonstrating that underground potential remains largely unknown.
The second JMEF round is underway, with 80 applications received for minerals including tin, tungsten, titanium, uranium, gold, antimony, arsenic, fluorspar, copper and lithium. To accelerate exploration further, the minister invited participants to attend the Council for Geoscience (CGS) launch of the Virtual Core Library at the South African pavilion. This national initiative will transform access to, sharing and use of geological data, making South Africa more attractive for exploration investment.
Ongoing investment and mine safety
Despite the continuing regulatory review, investment in the sector continues. Recent developments include West Wits Mining’s opening of the Qala Shallows gold mine, Arnot OpCo’s open-pit mine, Seriti’s Naudesbank mine, the start of production at Ivanplats’ Platreef mine and Ikoti Coal’s underground operations.
Between February 2025 and January 2026, the department granted 358 prospecting rights and 32 mining rights, demonstrating sustained confidence in South Africa as a preferred mining destination. “We are committed to honoring this confidence by promoting a fair, efficient and transparent licensing system that supports growth while protecting our national interests,” Mr. Mantashe assured participants.
In closing, the minister commended South Africa’s mining industry for recording its lowest number of mining fatalities: 41 in 2025, improving on 42 in 2024. “Although one life lost is one too many, this demonstrates that collective efforts are bringing us closer to the Zero Harm objective,” he said.
This Mining Indaba edition brings together ministers, industry leaders, investors, trade union representatives, civil society and communities, with an emphasis on lasting partnerships for an inclusive and prosperous mining future in Africa.
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