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.

Designed to support this blossoming partnership, the AMIA program provided a platform for industry trends, introduced Australian mining capabilities, and presented potential opportunities for collaboration within the African continent. Over 300 industry representatives participated in the comprehensive program, including a series of G2B and B2B sessions, meetings, roundtables, networking events, and business matchmaking. Key industry themes discussed in the panel program ranged from sustainable training and skills development to women in mining and their critical role in sector-wide changes. The discourse also looked into the next-generation mining and Australia’s stature as a ‘best practice’ partner, culminating in an in-depth session on green hydrogen, featuring industry experts from Australia, Japan, and South Africa. Additionally, other sessions focused on mining investment opportunities across various African markets and valuable insights from Australian junior miners operating across Africa. The highlight of the program for many Australian METS companies was the innovative ‘B2B speed pitching’ event with African-based supply and service companies, signaling a promising avenue for future collaborations. opportunities and government support available for Australian companies looking to do business in their respective markets. Guest speakers during the networking receptions included Samuel Azumah Nelson, former WBC super featherweight boxing champion, and Brian Mitchell, who retired as undefeated WBA super featherweight champion.

A number of African Mining and Resources Ministers joined the program as VIP guests and keynote speakers, including the Hon. Gwede Mantashe, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy of South Africa the Hon Lefoko Fox Moagi, Minister of Mineral Resources, Republic of Botswana; the Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Republic of Ghana; and the Hon Hlomi Moleko, Minister of Natural Resources, Republic of Lesotho.

A total of 43 Australian mining and METS companies were sponsors, participants, and partners of the AMIA program, with an additional eight Australian companies participating in the Global Victoria pavilion at the Mining Indaba held concurrently.

The presence of Australian heads of mission from Ghana, Egypt, and South Africa further underscored the strategic significance of the event. Australian heads of mission from Ghana, Egypt, and South Africa also attended the program. Watch the program highlights at https://youtu.be/Riu1GBzRhts