The number of registered investors for Mining Indaba 2017 is 65 per cent greater than in 2016, the organiser has told African Review
The number of participating mining companies at this year's event is also up by 40 per cent year-on-year.
At the time of writing, 71 countries were expected to be represented at the conference, 33 of which were drawn from Africa.
"Ministers from 24 countries have indicated that they will be attending, and we expect this number to grow," said Phillip Iofaso, director, marketing and public relations, Mining Indaba.
The world's largest mining and investment conference gathers more than 6,000 professionals across the industry spectrum including mining companies, governments and providers of professional services.
Keynote speakers include Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi, secretary general and former Minister of Trade and Industry, UNCTAD and Republic of Kenya; and Dambisa Moyo, global economist and author.
This year's conference theme, "The resurgence of Mining Indaba", reflects a number of enhancements to the event over the last few years.
Some of these include free attendance for professional investors and mining ministers, with government officials benefiting from reduced rates. In addition, mining and exploration company fees have been reduced by up to 50 per cent.
The event has been running for more than 20 years and is a crucial economic interlocutor for Cape Town and its surrounding areas, contributing at least R675mn (US$49mn) over the past 10 years into the city's leisure, hospitality and tourism sectors, and has channeled billions of dollars of foreign investment into the African mining value chain.
Commenting on the event, Ron Sayers, managing director, Ausdrill commented, "2017 will be our 8th Mining Indaba. Our attendance is a significant and intentional part of our business strategy.
"It’s important for Ausdrill to participate at Mining Indaba because a large majority of industry players are in one place, at one time, for three days. This allows us access to our clients, at the same time allowing the Ausdrill Group to showcase our capabilities in Africa, built up over the last 25 years.
Richard Kofi Afenu, directer, Minerals Commission of Ghana said, "The effects of Mining Indaba have to be measured with other fiscal provisions in each country, not in isolation. Investors take many factors into account when making investment decisions, but the situation may have been worse without country presentations and exhibitions at Mining Indaba. I come to learn from the experiences of other countries. As usual, I am looking forward to investor interest in the minerals and mining sector…and to network."
Trish O'Reilly, chief executive officer, Australia-Africa Minerals & Energy Group said, "Mining Indaba provides the opportunity for key players in the resources sector, including investors, miners, service companies and governments to come together in one area and promote opportunities and learnings. It is positive in 2017 to see incentives to encourage investors and miners to attend. AAMEG has been represented at Mining Indaba since our inception in late 2011.
"Given the significant footprint of the Australian resources sector across Africa it is imperative that we attend Mining Indaba."
Joanne Warner, head of global resources, Colonial First State Global Asset Management said, "The new Mining Indaba format takes it back to the earlier successful formula with a focus on mining companies and investors. After many years it will be good to return to Africa to re-assess the investment opportunities. And I look forward to participating as a judge on the Investment Battlefield competition for emerging mining companies."
James Wellsted, SVP Investor Relations, Sibanye Gold, "Sibanye is participating in Mining Indaba for the first time. We like that the focus of the Mining Indaba is moving back towards promoting meetings with investors within the Mining Indaba venue itself and tackling issues pertinent to the industry. Meeting with local and international investors on home soil, while also presenting the Sibanye story to a well-attended forum, is a worthwhile investment to us."
Watch out for the February print issue of African Review, available soon, for a print preview.
