In February, the IGF will be attending African Mining Indaba conference in Cape Town, South Africa. Secretariat staff will be participating in sessions, meeting with members and other partners, and organizing side events.
IGF Activities at 2025 Mining Indaba
Conference Session | Evolving African Policy and Value: Developing a mutually beneficial mineral blueprint
On Monday, February 3, IGF Deputy Director Isabelle Ramdoo will speak at Evolving African Policy and Value: Developing a Mutually Beneficial Mineral Blueprint. This session explores Africa’s evolving mineral policies, including export restrictions, local value addition, and strategies for supporting sustainable and equitable mining investments.
Side Event | Future Proofing Mining through Skills Development and Local Employability
- Date: Tuesday, February 4, 2025
- Time: 14:00 – 15:00
- Venue: Southern Sun, The Cullinan Hotel, Cape Town, South Africa
- Organizers: IGF, International Labour Organization, and Global Affairs Canada
The mining industry is at a turning point, shaped by technological innovation, sustainability requirements, geopolitical instability, and changing global markets. The shift away from fossil fuels and the growing demand for critical minerals emphasizes the urgent need for a skilled and adaptable workforce. However, the sector is experiencing a significant skills shortage, particularly in Africa, where resource-rich developing countries face limited access to specialized training, barriers for women and marginalized groups, and fierce competition for skilled labour.
Join us for a dynamic discussion on how to attract and retain talent in this evolving landscape. Our panel of experts will discuss
- industry needs and skills gaps in Africa, with a focus on Southern Africa;
- barriers to training and career opportunities for women and marginalized groups;
- strategies for developing new talent pipelines to future-proof the mining workforce.
Breakfast Side Event | Critical Choices: Can responsible sourcing empower Africa’s local Economies?
- Date: Wednesday, February 5, 2025
- Time: 08:30 – 10:00
- Venue: Southern Sun, The Cullinan Hotel, Cape Town, South Africa
- Organizers: IGF and German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ)
As the world races to secure critical minerals for the transition to low-carbon technologies, Africa’s resource-rich nations have significant potential to benefit from rising demand. However, the path to prosperity is complex. Global policies and regulations on responsible sourcing—such as the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) in Europe—are reshaping how minerals are extracted and traded. These initiatives aim to uphold high environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, but they also present both challenges and opportunities for local economies.
This breakfast side event will address key questions, including the following:
- Are global responsible sourcing initiatives helping or hindering Africa’s mineral development and beneficiation goals?
- How can African stakeholders collaborate to design responsible sourcing policies that avoid creating barriers to growth?
- What role do African governments and regional bodies play in developing home-grown standards and frameworks for responsible sourcing?
- How are African institutions supporting the implementation of these initiatives in producing countries?
Through case studies and expert insights, we will explore how global responsible sourcing initiatives and local regulations can work together to foster local economic growth and drive mineral-based industrial development.