Amid a global energy transition and the emergence of Industry 4.0, this year’s inaugural London Indaba – hosted by mineral resources, energy and mining conference specialists Resources 4 Africa – will focus on Africa’s critical role in supplying the minerals and metals of the future.

As an important source of critical minerals and metals, such as gold, copper and lithium, for the energy transition, African mining industries are witnessing an increase in demand for their resources, as well as increasing investment opportunities, in the wake of improved regional stability, economic growth and technological advancements.

The London Indaba – to be held at the Intercontinental London park Lane hotel, in London, in the UK, from June 26 to 27 – will address current and future supply and demand for critical minerals and metals.

It will also interrogate the opportunities for Africa to provide a reliable, ethical and environmentally sustainable supply to meet global demand, thereby increasing investor confidence.

“As part of the industry, we feel it is our responsibility to create a platform for interested parties to engage in conversations around the opportunities for mining in Africa. By doing so, we can create long-term value for all stakeholders involved,” says London Indaba chairperson Bernard Swanepoel.

He explains that, by focusing on investing in resources and mining in Africa, and highlighting the importance of critical minerals, the London Indaba is positioned to help drive investment in the sector and promote sustainable and responsible mining practices in Africa.

The event will highlight various relevant topics, including how governments are incentivising critical minerals and metals in global mining economies, and how responsible mining can help foster economic development in Africa.

“The London Indaba will feature our trademark bold and constructive approach to tackling the important issues that our flagship event – the Joburg Indaba – is famous for, and attendees can look forward to participating in critical conversations with industry leaders that get to the heart of matters,” says Resources 4 Africa CEO Paula Munsie.

The London Indaba will also feature leading international mining houses and African mining industry figures who will highlight the opportunities in Africa, acknowledge what mining companies operating on the continent have achieved and discuss their plans for the future.

Mining houses expected to attend the indaba include Anglo American, Rio Tinto, Sibanye-Stillwater, Impala Platinum, Harmony Gold Mining, Endeavour Mining, African Rainbow Minerals and Zambian Consolidated Copper Mines Investment Holdings.

Various keynote addresses will be made, including by UK Department of Business and Trade and Investment Security Minister of State Nusrat Ghani, and financial services provider Rothschild and Co senior adviser Simon Thompson.

Further, UK-based stakeholders from the investment community include London Metal Exchange CEO Matthew Chamberlain and London Stock Exchange primary markets international business development head Tom Attenborough.

“Africa is home to many of the world's essential minerals and metals, and London is home to many international investors interested in this sector.

“African countries will play a vitally important role in supplying the many important minerals and metals needed for our future society, and the London Indaba will bring these two important communities together – international investors and African resource/mining companies,” Munsie concludes.