By Derrick Silimina

The Investing in African Mining Indaba has officially kicked off at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) in South Africa.

President Hakainde Hichilema has headlined the opening day, pitching Zambia as a “partner of choice,” and highlighted the country’s rebound in copper production (reaching nearly 900,000 tonnes in 2025) and set an ambitious target of 3 million tonnes annually.

Celebrating over 30 years as the continent’s premier mining investment event, this year’s gathering is the largest in its history with over 10,500 delegates and is being held under the theme, “Stronger Together: Progress through Partnerships,” signals a shift away from isolated extraction toward integrated value chains.

With global demand for battery metals and rare earths surging, Africa is positioning itself as more than just a supplier. Leaders are emphasizing local beneficiation, the domestic processing and refining of minerals like lithium, copper, and cobalt to ensure Africa retains more of the value chain.

With the “Trump Factor” & BRICS which seems to be on the main agenda, discussions are navigating the complex geopolitical landscape, weighing partnerships between Western protectionist policies and the expanding China-led BRICS influence while the focus is on moving beyond “silos” to create collaborative frameworks between governments, private miners, and local communities.