The MMP participated in the Investing in African Mining Indaba 2026, held from 9–13 February 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, under the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) Emerging Technologies exhibition stand.

The event provided a valuable platform to showcase MMP’s 2030 strategy and its role in advancing a modernised mining sector. Through active participation in panel discussions and engagements, MMP demonstrated thought leadership while strengthening its position as a key connector between research, industry, and policy.

The DSTI, in partnership with its entities, continues to drive innovation to shape the future of South African mining, supporting a sector that is more competitive, safe, and sustainable through technology, collaboration, and investment.

As part of the programme, MMP exhibited alongside other DSTI entities, while the MMP Executive Director contributed to a number of discussions focused on the future of mining.

Key Highlights and Takeaways

The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) panel on Harnessing Collaborative Partnerships to Modernise the Mining Innovation Ecosystem, moderated by MMP Executive Director Julie Courtnage, brought together key stakeholders including South African National Space Agency (SANSA), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Minerals Council South Africa, and Technology Innovation Agency.

The discussion highlighted that effective mining innovation requires moving beyond ad hoc collaboration towards scalable models built on shared risk. Panellists emphasised the need for policy to align with operational realities, recognising that modernisation depends on the integration of people, systems, technology, and an enabling environment. True impact is achieved when data informs decision-making, supported by strong governance, trust, and common standards that allow solutions to scale. Ultimately, both modernisation and capacity-building were positioned as collective, system-wide responsibilities, with institutions playing a critical enabling role.

In a separate panel on Is a Circular Economy Just?, Courtnage contributed as both moderator and participant. The discussion drew on practical, on-the-ground examples and emphasised the importance of learning from the Just Energy Transition. Panellists cautioned against focusing solely on whether circularity is inherently “just,” and instead called for greater attention to social and developmental outcomes. While there is increasing pressure to prioritise secondary extraction, the continued global demand for metals means that a balance between responsible primary extraction and circular approaches is essential. For producing countries, this presents an opportunity to move up the value chain, drive inclusive growth, and redefine circularity to include livelihoods, equity, and meaningful participation.

The session on AI and Digital Transformation in the Minerals Sector: Hype or New Reality, hosted by the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation, provided a grounded perspective on the role of artificial intelligence in mining. While AI offers clear value in areas such as safety, environmental monitoring, production, and predictive maintenance, panellists noted that the hype surrounding AI can obscure its most practical applications. Rather than adopting AI as a blanket solution, a more targeted and value-driven approach was encouraged.

Carbon Trust & SAIMM roundtable unpacked how to de-risk new, low-carbon mines by introducing and discussing the concept of a “Mine Asset Transition Accelerator (MATA). It was a robust debate among varied stakeholders, with a key message of ‘don’t reinvent the wheel”. The Carbon Trust has pulled four main themes from the roundtable to explore further, notably a Junior and small‑scale miner support initiative, a low-carbon technology and innovation initiative for sustainable mining, an Innovative finance initiative for early‑stage and enabling mining investment and a “sustainable mining landscape” regulatory innovation initiative. Key to the success of the Carbon Trust’s efforts is developing and maintaining robust and relevant partnerships.

OECD Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Outlook 2025 webinar delivered the following key messages:

• Emerging, converging technologies and innovation systems are central to economic and industrial change, including mining.
• Agile, coordinated STI policies are required to address geopolitics, resource constraints, and rapid technological shifts.
• Cross-sector partnerships (government–industry–research) enable effective innovation ecosystems in mining.
• Adoption of AI, automation, and data tools improve productivity, safety, and sustainability in mining operations, when used intentionally and with understanding of the possible consequences, both positive and negative.