African Mining

The Steenkampskraal Monazite Mine (SMM) in South Africa’s Western Cape has officially launched Phase 1 of its commercial monazite concentrate plant. Fully funded by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), this milestone marks the project’s transition from laboratory-scale research to commercial mineral processing of one of the world’s highest-grade rare-earth deposits.

South African mining is beginning to define itself by its possibilities rather than its constraints. After spending much of the past decade navigating power shortages, policy uncertainty, and constrained growth, the industry is focusing on what comes next. That shift was evident on the second day of the Joburg Indaba 2026, where discussions moved beyond the constraints that have long dominated the sector to the opportunities now taking shape.

Edited by Sharon Mdaka The Liberia International Mining & Energy Conference (LIMEC), set to take place on 28–29 October 2026, in Monrovia, Liberia, will bring together government officials, industry leaders, investors and experts to discuss investment opportunities in Liberia’s extractive and energy sectors. His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., President of the Republic of Liberia, will deliver the keynote address and officially declare the conference open at Farmington Hotel, Monrovia.

Bridging the gap between academic research and industrial application in the minerals, metallurgical and engineering sectors, Mintek’s annual SCi event brought together over 300 emerging researchers under 35 for a week-long programme. The programme brought together disruptive research, scientific exchange and practical problem-solving to explore the future of South Africa’s minerals and metallurgical sector.

As preparations for the forthcoming Mining Indaba 2027 take shape, the industry platform looks at the practical barriers currently shaping investment, local value creation and industrial development within the continent. The mining industry is facing a fundamental question: Can governments, investors and mining companies turn ambitious plans into projects that are financed, built and able to deliver lasting economic value?

By Annemie Willer, Division manager of WearCheck Asset Reliability Care Working in a maintenance environment where the Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS) has become the ultimate authority sometimes makes me feel like an extra in one of The Matrix films. Annemie Willer. All images supplied by WearCheck Everyone is busy following the system. Tasks are created, moved, closed and measured. The system is treated as correct, even when the physical plant in front of us says otherwise.

As the mining industry looks towards the future of Africa’s mineral sector, specialist underground contract mining and engineering contractor, Redpath Africa Limited, reflects on the challenges and opportunities shaping the industry, with a focus on how technology, productivity, safety and people will influence its continued development. Pieter Oosthuysen, Operations executive at Redpath Africa Limited.

The 2026 Joburg Indaba, taking place from 7–8 October 2026 in Sandton, is set to bring key role players under one roof to look at how South Africa can build a stronger and more resilient mining industry and attract the investment needed to unlock the country’s significant mineral resources. Andrew van Zyl, managing director of SRK Consulting (South Africa).

Wits Mining Institute to host annual seminar on 8 October 2026 to tackle some of the challenges and opportunities currently faced by the South African mining sector. The event will be held at Wits University and is set to be attended by industry leaders and experts. The programme also includes panel discussions and a leadership masterclass, providing a platform for debate on some of the most pressing issues facing the mining sector.

Implats’ Impala Rustenburg has appointed Nonkululeko (Nonku) Mosikare and Nandipha Nxiweni to two key leadership roles. Mosikare will lead the four-shaft South Shaft Complex as the executive head of mining, while Nxiweni undertakes the role of general manager at BRPM South Shaft. Nandipha Nxiweni the new general manager at BRPM South Shaft.