7 - 8 October 2026
The Inanda Club, Forrest Road, Inanda, Johannesburg
The Inanda Club
Forrest Road
Inanda, Johannesburg
7 - 8 October 2026
2026 Conference Programme
08:45
09:00
Chairman’s Welcome
Presenter: Bernard Swanepoel
09:00
09:30
Opening Keynote Session
In conversation with:
Natascha Viljoen
, President & CEO, Newmont
09:30
09:45
Audience Q&A led by the Chair
09:45
10:20
Session One
How is current geopolitical volatility reshaping the global mining industry and what are the impacts on South African companies?
How are increasing geopolitical volatility and uncertainty affecting commodity prices, mineral supply chains, cost pressures and market conditions?
What role can government and industry play in strengthening supply chain resilience?
How can South Africa mitigate geopolitical risks and position itself to take advantage of the upsurge in demand for minerals?
What can be done to enhance South Africa's position in international mining investment rankings?
What role can government and industry play in strengthening supply chain resilience?
How can South Africa mitigate geopolitical risks and position itself to take advantage of the upsurge in demand for minerals?
What can be done to enhance South Africa's position in international mining investment rankings?
Chair:
Angelika Goliger
, Africa Chief Economist, EY-Parthenon
10:20
10:30
Audience Q&A led by the Chair
10:30
11:00
Morning refreshments and networking
11:00
11:35
Session Two
South Africa’s next crossroads: new beginnings or a slide backwards?
Will the upcoming local elections change South Africa’s trajectory?
What are the political, economic and social implications?
What do the results mean for mining companies?
What are the political, economic and social implications?
What do the results mean for mining companies?
Chair:
Bernard Swanepoel
Co-chair: Sue Olivier, Managing Director & Africa Lead, Natural, Resources, Energy and Utilities practice, Accenture
11:35
11:45
Audience Q&A led by the Chair
11:45
12:05
Keynote Address
An update on the Mineral Council’s investment and growth strategy
Will the upcoming local elections change South Africa’s trajectory?
What are the political, economic and social implications?
What do the results mean for mining companies?
What are the political, economic and social implications?
What do the results mean for mining companies?
Presenter: Paul Dunne, President, Minerals Council South Africa; CEO, Northam Platinum
Followed by a panel discussion
12:05
12:35
Session Three
Where are we now with policy, regulation and investor confidence?
Chair:
Ntsiki Adonisi
, Head of Natural Resources and Environment Practice, ENS
12:35
12:45
Audience Q&A led by the Chair
12:45
13:45
Lunch and networking
13:45
14:20
Session Four
To what extent can logistics reform unlock mining growth? What can government and mining companies do to get it right?
Are we moving from policy to implementation fast enough?
Will logistics reform actually unlock the next wave of mining investment and growth?
What does a genuinely investable and bankable private sector participation model look like?
Can a one-size-fits-all reform model work for dedicated heavy-haul export corridors?
What role should mining companies and corridor users play in shaping the solution?
What does South Africa stand to lose - in investment, production, exports and growth - if we don’t get this right?
Will logistics reform actually unlock the next wave of mining investment and growth?
What does a genuinely investable and bankable private sector participation model look like?
Can a one-size-fits-all reform model work for dedicated heavy-haul export corridors?
What role should mining companies and corridor users play in shaping the solution?
What does South Africa stand to lose - in investment, production, exports and growth - if we don’t get this right?
Chair:
Futhi Mtoba
, Independent Chairperson, Ore Expert Corridor Users Forum
14:20
14:30
Audience Q&A led by the Chair
14:30
14:45
Keynote address
The UN Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals and The Global Legacy Mining Fund
Presenter: Ambassador Nozipho Joyce Mxakato-Diseko, Co-Chair, UN Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals
Followed by a panel discussion
14:45
15:20
Session Five
Which critical minerals are likely to become increasingly strategic over the next decade and how can South Africa take advantage of this opportunity?
What policy and regulatory interventions are needed to attract investment into critical minerals projects?
What role can critical minerals play in South Africa's industrialisation and economic development agenda?
How can South Africa move beyond raw mineral exports to capture greater value through beneficiation and manufacturing?
What partnerships are required between government, industry, investors and research institutions to unlock future opportunities?
What role can critical minerals play in South Africa's industrialisation and economic development agenda?
How can South Africa move beyond raw mineral exports to capture greater value through beneficiation and manufacturing?
What partnerships are required between government, industry, investors and research institutions to unlock future opportunities?
Chair:
Mark Evans
, Head of Mining and Heavy Industries, Oliver Wyman
15:20
15:30
Audience Q&A led by the Chair
15:30
16:00
Afternoon refreshments and networking
16:00
16:20
Session Six
Forged in South Africa: applying our resilience to grow and succeed anywhere
In conversation with:
Beyers Nel
, CEO, Harmony Gold Mining Company Ltd
Co-chair: James Smith
, CEO, DRA Global
16:20
16:30
Audience Q&A led by the Chair
16:30
17:00
Keynote address
Minerals and metals of the future – navigating volatility, building long-term advantage
In conversation with:
Duncan Wanblad
, CEO, Anglo American
17:00
17:15
Audience Q&A led by the Chair
17:15
19:00
End of Day One followed by Cocktail Reception
The organisers reserve the right to amend the programme and timings of the agenda at their discretion.
08:45
09:00
Chairman’s Welcome
Presenter: Bernard Swanepoel
09:00
09:35
Session One
The changing nature of South Africa’s energy transition
The energy dilemma: how do we increase access to energy while meeting environmental targets and net zero goals?
How should South Africa’s energy mix evolve given the different energy sources available?
What does a just energy transition look like for producers and communities?
How can the mining sector contribute to South Africa’s path to a just energy transition?
Where are the biggest opportunities emerging from the energy transition?
How should South Africa’s energy mix evolve given the different energy sources available?
What does a just energy transition look like for producers and communities?
How can the mining sector contribute to South Africa’s path to a just energy transition?
Where are the biggest opportunities emerging from the energy transition?
Chair:
Karel Cornelissen
, Group CEO, NOA
09:35
09:45
Audience Q&A led by the Chair
09:45
10:20
Session Two
Life after the majors: what has happened to mining companies and mining in South Africa now that the majors have left?
What are the implications for the life of a mining asset once it’s handed over?
How are companies that have been divested run differently?
How are companies that have been divested run differently?
Chair:
Billy Mawasha
, CEO, Bokamoso Gold
10:20
10:30
Audience Q&A led by the Chair
10:30
11:00
Morning refreshments and networking
11:00
11:35
Session Three
Powering the future mine – technology, decarbonisation, energy security and operational performance
How are companies adapting to the green economy and the transition to renewable energy?
How can mining companies achieve meaningful emissions reductions while remaining globally competitive?
What energy technologies are most practical and cost effective for energy-intensive mining operations?
Improving energy efficiency in mining fleets, ventilation systems, processing plants and infrastructure
Moving from diesel-powered equipment towards electric and low-carbon alternatives
Overcoming barriers to implementing on-site renewable energy projects
How to manage carbon costs/emissions data for exports
How can mining companies achieve meaningful emissions reductions while remaining globally competitive?
What energy technologies are most practical and cost effective for energy-intensive mining operations?
Improving energy efficiency in mining fleets, ventilation systems, processing plants and infrastructure
Moving from diesel-powered equipment towards electric and low-carbon alternatives
Overcoming barriers to implementing on-site renewable energy projects
How to manage carbon costs/emissions data for exports
Chair:
Elmien Sambandan
, Business Transformation Lead – Africa, EY-Parthenon
11:35
11:45
Audience Q&A led by the Chair
11:45
12:05
Session Four
Building a future-ready iron ore industry: competitiveness, sustainability and partnership
In conversation with:
Mpumi Zikalala
, CEO, Kumba Iron Ore
12:05
12:15
Audience Q&A led by the Chair
12:15
13:15
Lunch and networking
13:15
13:50
Session Five
AI in mining: Opportunities and risks
How can AI help to create a smarter, safer and more sustainable mining industry?
Where is AI already being implemented across the mining value chain and where could it be applied in future?
How does AI help to decrease risk, increase productivity and safety and reduce costs?
How can mining companies practically implement, operationalise and scale AI?
How can AI support workers rather than replacing them?
What new skills are going to be needed? Does AI enable mining companies to attract more young people and women into the sector?
Where is AI already being implemented across the mining value chain and where could it be applied in future?
How does AI help to decrease risk, increase productivity and safety and reduce costs?
How can mining companies practically implement, operationalise and scale AI?
How can AI support workers rather than replacing them?
What new skills are going to be needed? Does AI enable mining companies to attract more young people and women into the sector?
Chair:
Alyssa Prinsloo
, Innovation & AI Lead, Resources Client Group, Accenture
13:50
14:00
Audience Q&A led by the Chair
14:00
14:35
Session Six
Give them the keys: Is African mining ready for a gender and generational power transfer?
Chair:
Bernard Swanepoel
14:35
14:45
Audience Q&A led by the Chair
14:45
15:15
Afternoon refreshments and networking
15:15
16:00
Session Seven
Managing rising cost pressures vs growth opportunities and capital allocation/expenditure
What key global and local issues are affecting mining companies’ capital allocation decisions?
What are the most significant operational cost pressures currently facing South African mining companies?
How do these impact decisions on growth and capex?
To what extent is it possible to mitigate rising costs and price volatility?
What role can renewable energy play in reducing operational expenditure?
What does sustainable mining in South Africa look like? What do mines need to do to stay competitive?
What are the most significant operational cost pressures currently facing South African mining companies?
How do these impact decisions on growth and capex?
To what extent is it possible to mitigate rising costs and price volatility?
What role can renewable energy play in reducing operational expenditure?
What does sustainable mining in South Africa look like? What do mines need to do to stay competitive?
Chair:
Dawn Earp
, Non-Executive Director; Audit Committee Chair
16:00
16:10
Audience Q&A led by the Chair
16:10
16:30
Closing keynote address
In conversation with:
Marna Cloete
, President & CEO, Ivanhoe Mines
16:30
16:40
Audience Q&A led by the Chair
16:40
17:05
Final Ministerial Address
17:05
17:20
Audience Q&A led by the Chair
17:20
19:00
End of Conference followed by Cocktail Reception
The organisers reserve the right to amend the programme and timings of the agenda at their discretion.