By Phillip LoFaso, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Mining Indaba

The motto of the event is "Where the World connects with African Mining". What does this mean?

Investing in African Mining Indaba remains the world’s largest mining investment conference and Africa’s largest mining event.  As the name clearly states, this event is squarely focused to the capitalisation and development of mining interests in Africa.  In 2016 there were delegates from 93 countries, including 39 African nations.

Now approaching its 23rd year, Mining Indaba continues as the pivotal event for connecting mining companies doing business in Africa with African governments and the investment community. There is no other event that exclusively brings these three market segments together and places its emphasis on creating opportunities for financing mining projects on the African continent.

What does Mining Indaba represent in economic and business terms for the African continent?

This can be answered two ways.

1. With a complete focus on African mining, all business conducted drives investment into Africa. Over the years, billions of dollars (USD) of foreign investment have been channelled into the African mining value chain. 
2. Each year for more than 20 years Mining Indaba has convened thousands of mining professionals, mining ministers and investors from nearly 100 nations in Cape Town, South Africa. Over the past 10 years the total contribution to the Cape Town economy is estimated at more than R675 Million (including hotels, restaurants, tourism, shopping, golf and more).    Mining Indaba uses service providers and temporary help almost exclusively from South Africa.  Considering all the events and activities occurring in Cape Town during mining week, we project that more than 5,000 jobs have been created.  And we are 100% commitment to partnering with BEE Certified South African suppliers (current or in the process of certification).

Tell us about new measures to bring in more Mining Corporates?

It’s clear that market conditions had an impact on event equilibrium.  The success of this event relies entirely on the participation of investors, mining ministers, and mining corporates. But market conditions and unfavourable currency-conversion rates created challenges in 2016 for many mining and exploration companies (investors and mining minister attend for free).  As a result, many mining corporates sent fewer delegates.  Some who had a stand in the exhibition hall were unable to maintain this exposure.  

To address this, the organiser of Mining Indaba have rolled back registration prices for Mining Companies to 2008 levels.  This represents up to a 50% decrease in price for mining corporates. In addition, special incentives are being offered to bring miners back to the show floor, to make it easier for them to meet investors.

Jonathan Moore, Managing Director of Mining Indaba said, “We want to ensure that mining companies meet investors who are eager to learn about their projects. This new pricing will help make that possible, especially for the junior miners.”

“We believe this change in pricing for mining corporates will make it possible for all miners – from large to nano cap – to be able to attend the 2017 Indaba,” Moore said. “We want all those who seek investment and who wish to meet with government ministers, service providers and their peers to be able to participate, and to conduct productive business in Cape Town.”

New sponsorship opportunities also will make it possible for mining companies of all sizes to have a presence and demonstrate their value. Fred Noce, director of sales for Mining Indaba, said, “It’s my goal to help any mining company looking for visibility to get it this year.

I anticipate that the increase in the number of mining companies with a physical presence, along with our deliberate elimination of more than 40 sponsoring service providers and equipment companies will greatly improve connections and commerce on the exhibit hall floor.”

One of the strengths of the event are its networking activities. What’s new in this area?

While many come to hear talks from industry leaders, this event is all about deal-making.  We have several traditional methods of bringing people together such as social receptions.  However, over the past two years Mining Indaba has introduced a number of new networking activities.

The Business Matchmaking Programme:  This networking tool enables every Mining Indaba registrant to request a meeting with any other attendee who chooses to participate. Nearly 75% of registrants use it to connect with others. Accessible online or on mobile, the 2016 Indaba recorded 2,386 meetings confirmed through this programme.

Speed-Networking: In 2016 we introduced Commodity Speed-Networking. Each of the eight 30-minute sessions concentrated on a different commodity.  Participants meet others interested in that commodity. Each meeting lasts just two minutes, enough time to introduce themselves and exchange business cards before moving on to meet the next person. More than 2,000 people participated in this inaugural programme, which will be expanded in 2017 to enable wider participation.

Networking Roundtables:  Introduced in 2016, the networking roundtables bring together like-minded professionals to participate in open discussion about topics such as sustainability, mining regulations, power and water, mine closures and the impact on community, and infrastructure developments.

Expanded Meeting Space:  In 2016 the conference dedicated more square footage to meeting space than in any previous year. Using the combined facilities of the Business Matchmaking Lounge, the NedBank Lounge and the JSE VIP Investor Lounge, this year’s Indaba focused on what people wanted most: face-to-face meetings. Meeting space can also be reserved upon request for companies looking to hold private meetings.

Can you give some tips for those attending and exhibiting at Mining Indaba for first time?

With so many years of experience, the Mining Indaba team have learned (through lots of trial and error!) how to create an exceptional experience for both delegates and sponsors.  The Mining Indaba website (www.miningindaba.com) has a new Sponsor Resource Centre to simplify and streamline the process for all exhibitors.  But each sponsor has a dedicated representative who can help them at any stage of planning and execution.

There are services available for all who participate.  One of our partners offers exclusive discounted travel and hotel packages.  There is a Speaker Resource Centre to assist the more than 200 speakers plan their presentations. There is a personalised service for investors, whereby the Mining Indaba Director of Investor Relations assists investors with planning and meeting arrangements. 

A lot happens in Cape Town during mining week, but Investing in African Mining Indaba is the anchor that drives business.  To quote one of last year’s delegates, “Mining Indaba is the main event for African mining, so everyone involved in mining in Africa has to be here…Yes, we will be here next year…and many years to come.” Nikolai Zelenski, Chief Executive Officer, Nordgold

Finally, tell us, in one sentence, why we can't miss Mining Indaba 2017?
If the success of your organisation relies on meeting and making deals with the world’s most important and most engaged mining professionals doing business in Africa, then book a ticket to Mining Indaba