This year’s Investing in African Mining Indaba will feature a new addition to the programme – the participation of an influential global figurehead, with former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair as the inaugural speaker presenting the keynote address, says Mining Indaba group marketing director Maria Palombini.

The Mining Indaba, which will take place from February 9 to 12 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, attracts more than 7 000 African mining industry stakeholders yearly, including investors, mining corporates, government Ministers and academics from more than 110 countries.

“As organisers of the Mining Indaba, our focus is on providing an effective platform for our delegates, speakers and sponsors, who invest their time and resources to participate in African mining’s most important event,” she says, adding that the amount of networking and deal making that gets under way at the indaba makes it an essential event for the continent’s mining industry to attend.

Expanded Initiatives
Palombini tells Mining Weekly that several initiatives introduced at last year’s event will be expanded on at this year’s indaba. This includes the Mining Indaba Investment Discovery Forum, which will take place from February 8 to 9.
“The forum offers a private educational and networking setting exclusively open to accredited investors and mining corporates, who are able to engage in deal-making discussions.”

She adds that the ability to schedule an unlimited number of face-to-face meetings through this forum enables investors and mining executives to take advantage of the best deal-making opportunities in one convenient location.

Guiding Investors
The Mining Indaba also partners with business publication Global Business Reports (GBR) to present the yearly Mining Africa Country Investment Guide, which provides investors with a holistic perspective on progressive investment climates in Africa, says Palombini, adding that the 2015 edition of the guide will be distributed at the event.

GBR provides in-depth surveys and up-to-date information, covering all aspects of the hydrocarbon, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, minerals, mining and metallurgical industries.

Mining Indaba App
Palombini also reveals that the Mining Indaba will this year launch a more robust mobile application, or app, which is being produced in collaboration with professional services firm KPMG.

She highlights that the new app will not only provide easy event navigation, but will also provide exclusive thought leadership insight from KPMG experts on Africa’s mining outlook.

“This critical information product offers delegates insight on how to best exploit their experience during the Mining Indaba”.

Programme Highlights
Palombini tells Mining Weekly that new programme additions will highlight the emerging and most attractive investment opportunities throughout Africa. The additions include geocentric investment clinics, as well as high-level private equity and institutional investors panels, which will share perspectives on the current investment climate and future opportunities on the continent.

The Mining Indaba will also feature a revitalised set of distinguished keynote presentations from global institutions, in-depth forecasts from the world’s top analysts, as well as conversations with mining Ministers from Africa’s most progressive mining zones.

Palombini notes that the Mining Indaba has emerged as “the world’s preferred destination and a highly respected brand in African mining”. This, she adds, is the result of pursuing a clear strategic vision and maintaining a disciplined, long-term commitment to its mission of providing a useful platform for mining stakeholders interested in investing in Africa.

Key Acquisition
Palombini reveals that, as of last year, the Mining Indaba group is part of Euromoney Institutional Investor, an international online information and events group. “The Mining Indaba is, therefore, even better positioned to deliver an unparalleled deal making and discovery platform for global investors and African mining companies.”

She adds that Euromoney’s acquisition of the Mining Indaba last year has enabled the group to focus on the key value proposition of driving investment in the African mining sector, which she says has been the catalyst for the indaba’s success.

The Mining Indaba’s main goal is to meet the expectations of its participants, while staying true to its core mission of channelling investments to capitalise the African mining value chain, says Palombini.

“Creating the most effective deal-making platform is core to what we do. Through our extensive network of partnerships, speakers and supporters, we intend to provide the most comprehensive investment outlook that represents all of Africa’s mining prospects to a large and influential group of global professionals.”

The Investing in African Mining Indaba is a diverse and proven platform with incomparable access to attractive investments across the continent, says Palombini.

She further mentions that the growth of the event has enabled it to advance its corporate social responsibility initiatives (CSIs) focused on empowering the next generation of mining leaders.

The indaba’s CSIs include the Mining Indaba Bursary Programme, the Rural Education Access Programme and the Ernie Els Centre for Autism.