Mining Indaba 2025: Communities at the heart of tomorrow's mining industry

As Mining Indaba celebrates its 31st anniversary, the event is entering a new era, marked by a fundamental shift in the way the African mining industry perceives and integrates local communities and indigenous groups. MI25, a symbol of this transformation, promises to reshape traditional approaches by placing these communities at the heart of mining evolution.

MI25 goes beyond inclusion to bring about a genuine realignment of mining discourse. By highlighting the voices of workers, residents and indigenous groups, Mining Indaba recognises that communities impacted by mining are not just observers, but essential partners.

The participation of the National House of Traditional Leaders and Khoi-San, the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (CONTRALESA) and other community organisations is a major step forward. For the first time, their perspectives, rooted in ancestral links with the land and traditional knowledge, are taking centre stage.

The introduction of the Community Interactive Workshop reflects this desire for change. This interactive workshop will not just be a platform for discussion, but a collaborative space where mining companies, traditional leaders and stakeholders will work together to develop sustainable solutions. This commitment goes hand in hand with the Community Competition, designed to reward innovative initiatives that promote tangible community benefits such as skills development, local sourcing and sustainable business creation.

David Sturmes-Verbeek, co-founder of The Impact Facility, stresses the importance of including communities in the decision-making process throughout the mining cycle. "An informed and empowered community is essential to negotiate favourable terms and conditions and ensure that mining benefits everyone," he says.

The South African government shares this vision of enhanced dialogue with traditional leaders and rural communities. A Cabinet statement issued in December 2024 highlights the crucial importance of these commitments. The interdepartmental task force led by Deputy President Paul Mashatile illustrates the collective effort to address community concerns and promote fair and sustainable mining.

The African mining industry is at a crossroads. It can persist with outdated models focused on short-term profits, or embrace a more inclusive paradigm, focused on collaboration and sustainability. MI25 embodies this transition, inviting the sector to embrace a bold and equitable future, where local communities are not only heard, but empowered to become key players in development.

With MI25, Mining Indaba is becoming more than just a platform for exchange; it is becoming a movement for change. By reaffirming the indispensable role of mining communities and creating genuine partnerships, MI25 is committed to transforming mining into a force for sustainable development.

Join MI25 in shaping the future of a mining industry that empowers, enriches and prospers, not just for today, but for generations to come. Together, let's forge a future where mining becomes a source of common good and shared prosperity.