By Gloria Shoki
The MMP highlighted the importance of practical, integrated and people-centred technology adoption in junior mining during the Junior Indaba 2026, held on 9–10 June at the Country Club Johannesburg in Auckland Park.
Against a backdrop of geopolitical, supply chain and energy shifts affecting junior mining operations, the event brought together industry stakeholders to explore the challenges and opportunities facing smaller and developing mining companies.
Technology and digital transformation featured prominently in the discussions, alongside issues including access to funding, the challenges associated with small-scale and illegal mining, the growing demand for critical minerals and lessons from successful junior mining operations across Africa.
MMP’s Executive Director, Julie Courtnage, emphasised that while technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), remote sensing and data analytics can support junior miners, technology adoption must remain grounded in the realities of the people and operations using these solutions.
For junior mining operations, adopting new technologies can present both opportunities and challenges. While newer operations may have fewer legacy systems to integrate, technologies still need to be practical, affordable and suited to the specific conditions in which mining takes place.
This highlights the importance of moving beyond the adoption of individual technologies towards solutions that can work together across mining operations. For MMP, this systems-based approach is central to developing technologies and innovations that respond to real industry challenges.
The discussions at Junior Indaba reinforced the value of collaboration across the mining ecosystem. Research institutions, government, industry and technology developers each have a role to play in taking ideas from research and development through testing and ultimately towards practical implementation.
MMP’s participation provided an opportunity to engage with stakeholders on the challenges facing junior miners and to contribute to conversations around how research, innovation and technology can support a safer, more productive and future-ready mining sector.
