Anglo American returned as an industry partner sponsor to the 13th annual Joburg Indaba – a leading platform for critical conversations shaping the future of mining in South Africa and beyond – with leaders from across the company participating in key engagements across the two-day programme.
The Indaba took place from 8 to 9 October and brought together industry leaders, investors, government and other stakeholders to address the sector’s most pressing opportunities and challenges, specifically in South Africa and the African continent.
Representing Anglo American at the Indaba this year were Duncan Wanblad, CEO, Nolitha Fakude, Chair of Anglo American South Africa; Mpumi Zikalala, CEO of our Kumba Iron Ore business; and Barend Petersen, Executive Chair of De Beers Consolidated Mines. Participating in a variety of engagements, senior leaders from across the Anglo American Group shared perspectives on how South Africa’s role in global mining is evolving, the partnerships and innovations shaping the industry’s future, how we can strengthen value chains to support sustainable growth, and the future vision for Anglo American.
Importantly, these conversations also explored how we – as a company and as an industry – can continue to deliver long-term value for stakeholders, drive inclusive growth and contribute meaningfully to South Africa and Africa’s development ambitions and unlock the enormous potential that exists on the continent.
Duncan Wanblad: Anglo American’s perspective on South Africa as a mining jurisdiction
On the opening day of the two-day programme, our CEO Duncan Wanblad took the stage for the Indaba’s opening keynote session, titled Anglo American’s perspective on South Africa as a mining jurisdiction.
Speaking with host Bernard Swanepoel, Duncan outlined Anglo American’s continued commitment to South Africa, the importance of Africa as a mining jurisdiction, the opportunities and challenges of the region, the partnerships and collaboration required to overcome those challenges, as well as discussing the recently announced merger of equals between Anglo American and Teck to form a global critical minerals champion.
On our continued commitment to South Africa, Duncan said:
“The roots of this company are incredibly deep in South Africa and we are very, very proud of our history here… We are a company that I hope will be around for another 100 years and those roots will always remain pretty deep.”
As part of demonstrating a continued commitment to South Africa, Duncan also reiterated plans outlined in the merger announcement on 9 September for the Anglo Teck combined entity to make financial contributions to South Africa’s Junior Mining Exploration Fund in partnership with the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa and the South African Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, which seeks to assist qualifying junior miners to conduct prospecting work.
On Africa’s importance to the future of the global mining industry, Duncan said:
“Part of our strategy here is not only South Africa itself, but actually South Africa as the mining window into the balance of Africa, for what I think is one of the most underexplored, highly valued continents as far as minerals generally are concerned, before we even start talking about what critical minerals are.”
On the merger of equals between Anglo American and Teck, Duncan said:
“This transaction makes extraordinarily good commercial sense. It’s very rare where you get the opportunity for two companies to put themselves together, get scale, and at the same time deliver a whole more than just the synergies of the combination.”
Watch the highlights of Duncan’s keynote session below:
Nolitha Fakude: Supporting the future of mining in South Africa
Nolitha Fakude, Chair of Anglo American South Africa, joined a panel to discuss how stakeholders in mining and government can create an environment that supports current and future mining opportunities in South Africa.
Nolitha highlighted that how we shape the future of mining depends not only on what lies underground, but also on building the right conditions above ground. She spoke about the enabling elements needed to achieve those conditions, including regulatory reform that provides policy certainty and coherence, as well as sustainable infrastructure development and maintenance. The key to overcoming these challenges and unlocking opportunities in South Africa and beyond lies in the leveraging of meaningful partnerships and collaborative action.
Commenting on how to create an environment that supports current and future mining opportunities in South Africa, Nolitha said:
“We are hoping that going forward, we continue to see more integration and alignment with various policy frameworks that are there to support mining.”
Listen to Nolitha’s participation below:
Mpumi Zikalala: Premium iron ore for a low-carbon world
In a keynote session on the second day of the Indaba, Nompumelelo (Mpumi) Zikalala, CEO of our Kumba Iron Ore business, delivered an address on how our premium-quality iron ore is supporting lower-carbon, more efficient steelmaking processes.
Mpumi also highlighted the significant impact of our beneficiation investments, including the Ultra High Dense Medium Separation (UHDMS) project at Sishen, to unlock low-grade ore, triple premium-grade volumes and extending the mine life to 2040. This forms part of our broader approach that combines innovation and infrastructure collaboration to strengthen South Africa’s competitiveness and secure long-term growth.
By investing in technology, developing skills and partnering with government, industry and communities, Kumba Iron Ore is helping to build a stronger iron ore value chain – one that supports a just energy transition, drives inclusive growth and helps position South Africa as a global leader in the future of mining.
Watch highlights of Mpumi’s address below:
Also speaking on the second day of the Indaba, Executive Chairman of De Beers Consolidated Mines, Barend Petersen, reflected on how the diamond industry can rediscover its strength – not by resisting change, but by shaping it. Speaking about creativity, transparency and partnership as the foundations for renewal, he outlined how new storytelling and technology are re-igniting consumer confidence and redefining what a diamond stands for.
Barend highlighted initiatives – such as Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform that traces each diamond from mine to market – which are building greater trust and traceability for consumers worldwide. He also pointed to collaboration as the driving force behind progress, including Botswana’s Diamonds for Development Fund, which invests in entrepreneurship and industry growth, to Angola’s Luanda Accord, which commits producers to reinvest in global marketing and strengthen the natural diamond category.
Barend reminded delegates that a diamond’s true brilliance shines in how it supports livelihoods, protects ecosystems and strengthens communities. For De Beers Group and Anglo American, it reflects our shared belief that responsible partnerships and purposeful innovation can shape a future where natural resources improve lives and strengthen communities.
Watch highlights from Barend’s address below:
