Mining Indaba to put focus on indigenous people and mining communities

Investing in African Mining Indaba 2025, running in Cape Town from 3-6 February 2025, will highlight and explore the need to future-proof African communities by foregrounding the experiences of those directly affected by mining

“The meaningful integration and collaboration with mining communities and indigenous people are essential to shaping the future of mining,” remarked Laura Nicholson, head of content & strategic partnerships for Mining Indaba. “Those living closest to mining projects are vitally important stakeholders, and essential partners in building a sustainable, equitable mining industry. This year, for the first time at Mining Indaba, we will see representatives of mining communities and indigenous groups taking part in key sessions right across the four-day event, providing their own perspectives on main event themes.”

Mining Indaba 2025 will seek to build meaningful community engagement between organisers, strategic stakeholders and mining community representatives, facilitating constructive dialogue and problem-solving around community-related issues.

“We look forward to direct engagement through Mining Indaba sessions and networking opportunities between mining communities, indigenous peoples, industry and government,” added Nicholson.

Building momentum

In an effort to build excitement and momentum around the event, Mining Indaba has announced a video competition held in partnership with The Impact Facility titled ‘What does Futureproofing African Mining mean for your community?’

David Sturmes-Verbeek, co-founder and director of partnerships and innovation at The Impact Facility, explained, “Together we are inviting mining community members, representatives of indigenous peoples in mining areas, civil society organisations, activists and visionaries to share their perspectives on building an equitable, inclusive and responsible mining sector that can transform mineral wealth into lasting, multi-generational prosperity.

“We are inviting video submissions from mining community representatives and indigenous people, outlining what it means to them to future-proof mining operations where they live. The competition is a tangible example of Mining Indaba’s commitment to inclusion, and will help stakeholders understand what needs to change to ensure mining communities thrive and co-exist with local mining operations.”

According to the organisers, the entered videos will be featured at the event with the creators of the most compelling submissions offered free access to Mining Indaba. The producers of the best videos will also be considered for speaking engagements at the event.

“We’re excited to be integrating indigenous people and mining communities directly into the main programme of Mining Indaba 2025,” surmised Nicholson. “As major stakeholders, they have a massive role to play in shaping the mining ecosystem, its infrastructure and its relationships, They’re also key to future-proofing the sector as a whole.”