Global summit to be led by South African government, aims to secure Africa’s place in critical minerals and energy transition value chains.
Johannesburg, 20 April 2023 – South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources and Energy is set to host the inaugural African Critical Minerals Summit from November 6-7, 2023, in Johannesburg. Over 2,000 delegates from various countries, including the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, BRICS, and G20 countries are expected to attend the event, which will be opened by H.E. President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The African Critical Minerals Summit comes as South Africa aims to take a leadership role on the continent through its Just Energy Transition framework policy, manufacturing and services capacity, and mineral resources endowment. The summit aims to unite key producers and users of the mineral resources that underpin modern technologies, supply chains, and energy production, with a particular focus on the energy transition.
The summit seeks to create opportunities for investment partners in African mining and energy transition projects, processing and manufacturing products using critical mineral resources in Africa, and creating new, sustainable jobs while up-skilling the workforce. Additionally, the summit aims to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Agreement to improve the competitiveness of African jurisdictions and projects.
During the launch of the African Critical Minerals Summit, key players from the office of the Council for Geoscience South Africa expressed their excitement and the significance of the event in South Africa and Africa, given the crucial role played by critical minerals in the energy transition. According to Willem Meintjies, acting executive manager of the Integrated Geoscience Development at the Council for Geoscience, it is important to define what “critical minerals” mean in the South African context. He emphasized the importance of critical minerals in advancing the country’s just transition towards a low-carbon economy.
The summit will focus on critical minerals such as battery minerals and electric vehicles, which are found in parts of South Africa. To maximize benefits, mining companies should work holistically to advance the green economy in Africa.
James Chester, Senior Director of Energy, Capital and Power, highlighted the key themes to look out for at the summit, which include game-changing ideas and thought-provoking topics under the critical green energy and minerals agenda. The summit marks a new era of mineral wealth in Africa and represents an opportunity for the continent to advance towards a sustainable future.
The conference is organized by African investment promotion and events producer Energy Capital & Power. Contact Senior Director James Chester at james@energycapitalpower.com / +27 606754850 for information about participating in the summit.
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