Expanding Australia-Africa Mining Partnership Highlights from the Second Australian Mining in Africa (AMIA) Program 2023

The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) organized the second Australian Mining in Africa (AMIA) program, 6-9 February 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa.

There are over 670 Australian ASX-listed companies with equity in mining in Africa investing a total of over $40 billion AUD, as of Jan 2022. The Australia-Africa trade partnership is only expected to grow in the coming decades.

Champions of Change: Women in Mining

A key session that caught my attention was the Women in Mining roundtable luncheon, the Champions of Change. This was part of AMIA program, and it brought together mining experts and stakeholders to discuss how companies can transform their leadership to facilitate greater female employability, particularly in Africa. One participant pointedly noted, “Transformation in leadership does not merely mean adding women to the mix; it means fundamentally reimagining the mix itself.”

Green Hydrogen: Fuelling the Future

Discussions around Green Hydrogen, attended by major Hydrogen players from South Africa, Australia, and Japan, brought to the fore the potential of this sustainable energy source. “Green Hydrogen is more than an energy source, it’s the promise of a sustainable, decarbonized future for all.”

Transforming Communities through Social Impact Initiatives

Orion Minerals, in collaboration with Qantas sponsored a trip for Zelna Barends, the founder of Zenisha’s Play and Learning Centre (ZPLC), to Australia. The primary objective of this initiative was to raise funds for the centre and increase awareness for children with special needs. ZPLC, a non-profit organization located in South Africa’s Northern Cape, focuses on providing educational support to children with Down Syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, and other intellectual or physical disabilities through play. Recognizing the importance of their cause, Orion Minerals took the initiative to help further their mission, for greater impact.

Africa: The World’s Mineral Powerhouse

Africa, continent rich in culture and history, is also a hotbed of minerals. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimates that Africa houses a staggering 30% of the world’s mineral reserves, 8% of natural gas, and 12% of oil reserves. With 40% of the world’s gold, 90% of its chromium and platinum, it is no wonder that many African countries see mineral exploration and production as significant contributors to their economies.

Africa is also leading in reserves of bauxite, cobalt, industrial diamonds, phosphate rock, platinum-group metals (PGM), vermiculite, and zirconium. According to the UNEP, Africa holds 65% of the world’s arable land and 10% of the planet’s internal renewable freshwater sources, which further emphasizes the continent’s vast wealth of resources. As per a report published by the World Bank in 2019, over 9.9 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa are employed in the mining sector, with significant participation from women, especially in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM).

Global Victoria is the trade facilitation agency of the State Government of Victoria, serving as a bridge worldwide. They provide assistance to Victorian businesses in reaching international markets, advocating for Victorian exporters worldwide, and globally endorsing business engagement with Victoria.

Alex Veale, Global Victoria’s Lead for Sustainability & Advanced Manufacturing, expressed during the Mining Indaba 2023, “Our significant support for equipment/technology companies operating directly in the mining/METS space reflects our focused strategy to empower sectors with great potential and high global demand. This initiative is a strategic move towards strengthening Victoria’s export economy and showcases our commitment to facilitating global connections and opportunities.” This quote encapsulates Global Victoria’s proactive approach in fostering Victoria’s economic growth through international trade partnerships.