Mining Indaba 2025: Amplifying the Voices of Indigenous People and Mining Communities
Mining Indaba, the leading platform for deal-making, investment, and corporate networking in African mining for over three decades, has unveiled its 2025 agenda with a renewed focus on highlighting the perspectives of indigenous people and communities within the conference.
The upcoming event, Investing In Mining Indaba 2025, underscores the commitment of Mining Indaba to prioritize the future well-being of African communities by centering the voices of those directly impacted by mining activities.
Laura Nicholson, Head of Content & Strategic Partnerships for Mining Indaba, emphasizes the importance of integrating and collaborating with mining communities and indigenous people in shaping the future of the industry. She states, “Those living closest to mining projects are vital stakeholders and essential partners in building a sustainable and equitable mining sector.” For the first time in Mining Indaba’s history, representatives from mining communities and indigenous groups will participate in key sessions throughout the four-day event, providing their unique perspectives on the main themes.
While the interests of mining communities and indigenous groups align in many aspects, there are distinct differences between the two. Indigenous people have deep-rooted ancestral connections to the land they inhabit, whereas mining communities are often formed as a result of mining activities, comprising individuals who work and reside in proximity to mining sites.
With a focus on fostering meaningful community engagement, Mining Indaba 2025 aims to facilitate constructive dialogue and problem-solving between event organizers, strategic stakeholders, and mining community representatives on issues directly impacting these communities.
As part of the lead-up to the event, Mining Indaba 2025 is hosting a video competition in collaboration with The Impact Facility, a social enterprise supporting artisanal mining communities in East Africa and the Congolese Copper-Cobalt belt. The competition invites mining community members, indigenous peoples, civil society organizations, activists, and visionaries to share their insights on building an equitable, inclusive, and responsible mining sector that can generate long-lasting prosperity.
Selected video submissions will be showcased at the Cape Town event, and creators of the most compelling entries will receive complimentary access to Mining Indaba. Additionally, standout video producers may be considered for speaking opportunities at the conference.
The theme for the video competition is “What does Futureproofing African Mining mean for your community?”
“We are thrilled to incorporate indigenous people and mining communities directly into the main program of Mining Indaba 2025,” says Nicholson. “As critical stakeholders, they play a significant role in shaping the mining landscape, infrastructure, and relationships, ultimately contributing to the sector’s sustainability.”
Investing in African Mining Indaba 2025 is scheduled to take place from February 3-6, 2025, at the Cape Town International Conference Centre (CTICC 1 & 2). The event remains the premier platform for mining investment, finance, and innovation in Africa.
