MIL Africa Engine

Source: APO

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Local content strategies in Africa’s mining sector hold significant potential to drive sustainable domestic growth, according to Ileana Ferber, Chief Executive Officer and founder of consulting firm Colibri Business Development. Speaking at a technical workshop during African Mining Week 2025, Ferber highlighted how governments and the private sector can harness such policies as powerful catalysts in creating long-term, meaningful socio-economic development.

Ferber explained that local content should go beyond compliance and be embedded in companies’ core business activities, serving as a driver of socio-economic development and capacity building within a country.

“The ultimate goal is to integrate local content into global sustainability and environment, social and governance agendas to enhance local value creation and strengthen the resilience of resource-rich economies,” she said, adding that most local content policies already provide a strong foundation through their social objectives.

Ferber highlighted supplier development as vital for economic diversification as it fosters innovation, build capabilities in emerging sectors, and reduce reliance on a single industry, like mining, by creating a broader and more resilient economic base.

A major challenge highlighted during the panel is the lack of government capacity on how to formulate local content regulations effectively and correctly. Faber warned that high expectations from local stakeholders, combined with increasingly prescriptive contractual requirements from suppliers and service providers, can create tension. As a result of this, she said managing expectations early is therefore crucial.

Despite challenges, Farber emphasised the significant benefits of well-designed local content strategies. For the private sector, outcomes include improved stakeholder relations, cost savings, lower technical risks, operational efficiencies, and transparency, while local economies benefit from enhanced competitiveness, diversification, socio-economic development benefits, better informed corporate strategies of mining companies, and geopolitical stability.

Highlighting one of the positive trends shaping the future of local content in Africa’s mining sector, Ferber noted growing efforts to harmonise frameworks across the continent. This shift is enabling stronger regional value chain development and encouraging the introduction of local content requirements in downstream industries.

“There is no perfect one-size-fits-all local content policy in Africa as these policies and regulations must evolve as benchmarks for ongoing improvement,” Ferber concluded.

Colibri Business Development is a sponsor of the African Mining Week 2025 conference, taking place in Cape Town from October 1-3.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

About African Mining Week:
Organized by Energy Capital & Power, African Mining Week serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event was held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Source: APO

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Environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards in the mining sector have been proven as powerful drivers of positive change, according to a panel discussion held at African Mining Week 2025. To further leverage the positive impact of the ESG frameworks currently in place, the consolidation of these frameworks could unlock additional value creation.

Charlene Wrigley, Vice President Sustainability Strategy and Disclosures at gold miner GoldFields said ESG reporting standards enable companies to better understand the benefits and impact of their investments in the minerals sector. However, she suggested that the number of frameworks be streamlined.

To improve the fragmented ESG standards reporting frameworks, Wrigley highlighted the work being done through The Consolidated Mining Standards Initiative (CMSI), which aims to bring together the best aspects of four well-established standards into one, global standard that reduces complexity and clarifies responsible practices for mining companies of all sizes, across all locations and commodities.

“The CMSI’s final public consultation, and final opportunity for input, on the draft Consolidated Standard, Assurance Process and Claims Policy is launching 8 October,” Wrigley noted.

“ESG has to make good business sense, add-value and be fit-for-purpose. A company’s ESG performance has to enable your business strategy and demonstrate impact where it matters most,” Wrigley said.

From an ESG reporting perspective, Charmane Russell, Founder and Managing Director of Southern African communications agency R&A Strategic Communications highlighted the complexity of reporting against the plethora of ESG standards that exist. “The ultimate goal is of sustainability reporting is providing information that is decision-useful,” she said, emphasising that to achieve comprehensive ESG reporting, both financial and impact materiality issued should be viewed collectively for boards to better understand their ESG impact.

Going forward, as ESG standards evolve over time, Pierre Gouws, Associate Director: Sustainable Finance Advisory at sustainability solutions consultancy SLR Consulting said he expected these standards and requirements to shed what is not working and retain what is effective.

“Companies with strong ESG metrics have proven to outperform those that don’t,” Gouws said. The role that ESG plays in protecting business interests shows that it is here to stay, but also iterated the need for standards to be streamlined, he said.

Amid heightened geo-strategic competition for access to critical minerals, Alex Benkenstein, Head of the Climate and Natural Resources Programme at the South African Institute of International Affairs, stressed the importance of grounded engagement among governments and civil society on what ESG compliance should realistically entail. He cautioned that the core questions around ESG should therefore not be overlooked.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

About African Mining Week:
Organized by Energy Capital & Power, African Mining Week serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event was held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Source: APO

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South Africa’s dominant role in the platinum group metals (PGMs) sector, producing 80% of the world’s platinum, gives the country significant strategic influence over the global market, a panel discussion featuring PGM industry players highlighted during African Mining Week 2025. The panel discussion further emphasized the need to leverage this drive greater value addition through downstream beneficiation and advanced manufacturing to ensure that South Africa captures more of the economic and developmental benefits linked to its PGM mineral wealth.

During the discussion, Liberty Chipise, Research and Development Manager at MetSop, highlighted the important role of innovation in mineral processing. He noted that high energy costs and complex ore bodies are driving up operational expenses, making it essential to deploy mineralogy-driven technologies that extract maximum value from tailings and employ more effective mineral processing reagents that have a lower carbon footprint.

Fahmida Smith, Principal Market Development at Valterra Platinum, emphasised the company’s commitment to reinvestment, innovation and socio-economic development. Since 2024, Smith said Valterra has reinvested R80 billion in capital, R4 billion in social investment, and R132 billion in local procurement leveraging South Africa’s position as the custodian of 80% of the world’s PGM reserves.

Smith emphasised the importance of creating multiple market development opportunities across the full PGM basket to stimulate demand for the metals that Valterra produces, noting its role in engaging government on supportive frameworks that allow for the uptake of PGM-containing products and technologies.

Vinay Somera, Chief Executive Officer of Isondo Precious Metals, stressed the urgency for South Africa to seize green hydrogen economy opportunities.

“We have the opportunity to add value to our PGMs through the hydrogen economy now, but it won’t last forever,” he said.

By building South Africa’s first large-scale industrial facility to produce PGM catalysts and membrane electrode assemblies for fuel cells and electrolysers, Isondo is doing its part in positioning the country to move PGMs further up the value chain through advanced manufacturing and in doing so maximise the value addition for the country. “This gives South Africa a seat in the global hydrogen industry that we never had before,” Somera said, noting that it also anchors the country as a competitive manufacturing hub.

Somera also stated that South Africa’s PGM sector success in future will be measured by its ability to shift from being a price taker to becoming a price maker, while Chipise believed the country’s success could lie in its value-addition, and recycling of PGMs in a circular economy, while Smith believed success could be measured by the creation of self-sustaining, inclusive communities around PGMs.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

About Energy Capital & Power:
Organized by Energy Capital & Power, African Mining Week serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event was held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Source: APO

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Despite the continued need for more women representation in male-dominated sectors, women are increasingly taking up leadership roles in Africa’s mining and construction sectors, with a growing number of female CEOs signaling a shift in organizational culture. This was the message from a panel of female mining industry executives at African Mining Week 2025, who emphasized that while legislation has assisted in opening doors, women are demonstrating that their leadership is based on merit, with mentorship highlighted as equally important to help more women rise through the ranks.

Anjana Turner, Principal at U.S.-based business law firm Anjana Turner Law underscored the importance of building a sustainable talent pipeline. “We must create pathways for women to move into leadership roles. Women need to show up strong, not as followers, but as confident leaders who can contribute meaningfully at all levels of a company.” She added that greater female representation is needed at higher levels of executive decision-making and negotiation situations as it leads to more positive outcomes for businesses.

Emma Townshend, Executive for Corporate Affairs at leading South African producer of platinum group metals (PGMs) Impala Platinum and board member of Women in Platinum Group Metals reflected on her career in which we transitioned from a financial markets role into mining, saying she never felt her gender was a disadvantage. “I’ve been fortunate that my experiences and exposure meant being a female didn’t feel like an obstacle. South Africa is quite progressive in terms of women representation through legislation, which has provided a platform for greater female representation,” she said.

Townshend also pointed out that gaining influence in the boardroom ultimately is not gender-specific but rather about knowing your subject and adding value.

Lili Nupen, Co-Founder and Director of South Africa-based law firm NSDV Law, where 70% of the legal team are women, recalled the challenge of being the only woman – and often the youngest – in male-dominated boardrooms, where she was frequently perceived as an outsider. She pointed out that “once your expertise is heard by the room, perceptions change.”

“Our approach at NSDV Law is that if you can demonstrate your expertise, you should not let gender be a barrier,” she noted.

She further explained that her firm’s flat structure encourages all team members to build their own brands, speak up in boardroom discussions, and participate fully in decision-making.

Challenging stereotypes about women in leadership, Nupen acknowledged that women are often perceived as more emotional, while Townshend reframed this as a strength, noting that “there is a time and place for positive emotion in business – it’s a leadership skill.”

“Women tend to be more introspective and aware of the impact of emotions, which can be healthy for organisational culture,” Townshend said.

The panelists agreed that creating an environment where diversity is celebrated is a business imperative. With more women now holding CEO positions in mining and construction, the focus must be on building the future pipeline of female leaders.

Townshend and Turned both emphasised mentorship as equally important to that of legislative compliance in ensuring that woman are included in leadership roles.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

About African Mining Week:
Organized by Energy Capital & Power, African Mining Week serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event was held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Source: APO

The Edge (https://Edge-Arabia.com/), the Middle East-based content creation and production company, a subsidiary of the UK’s prestigious Zinc Media Group, today announced the opening of its first official office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.    

The Edge has been working in the Kingdom for more than 15 years, producing award-winning documentaries, brand films, and events for leading organisations including Aramco, the BBC, Ithra, SABIC, and Red Sea Global. With the launch of a permanent office in Riyadh, The Edge is deepening its long-standing presence in Saudi Arabia and expanding its commitment to supporting brands, companies, and national projects by telling the stories of the region on a global stage. 

Backed by Zinc Media Group, one of the UK’s premier television and factual storytelling companies, and the only television production company listed on the London Stock Exchange, this expansion reflects the Group’s strategy to invest further in the Middle East’s fast-growing creative industries. Zinc distributes content to 150 territories worldwide, with partnerships spanning Disney, BBC, National Geographic, PBS, Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Amazon Prime Video. 

“We are proud to have delivered some of our most exciting projects in Saudi Arabia over the past decade,” said Mark Browning, CEO of Zinc Media Group. “Now, with an official office in Riyadh, we are committing even more fully to the Kingdom. This step allows us to partner more closely with local brands and organisations to tell the stories that are shaping Saudi Arabia’s place in the world.” 

The Edge is also unveiling a refreshed brand identity that reflects its three areas of focus: Film, Education and Immersive Experiences. From television production, documentaries, and factual storytelling to brand activations and large-scale immersive productions, The Edge is positioned to deliver projects that meet the ambitions of Vision 2030. 

“Saudi Arabia has been at the heart of our work in the region for years,” said Alex Amos, Executive Producer of The Edge. “By opening our official office in Riyadh, we’re building on that foundation to invest in local talent, strengthen long-term partnerships, and use our creativity to amplify Saudi Arabia’s voice to the rest of the world.” 

The Riyadh office builds on The Edge’s established hub in Doha and signals Zinc Media Group’s confidence in Saudi Arabia’s growing role as a global media and cultural powerhouse. With this expansion, Zinc continues its strong growth trajectory, with revenues up 72% year-on-year and a pipeline of multi-million-pound projects across the Middle East. As Saudi Arabia invests heavily in its creative economy, The Edge stands ready to be a trusted partner in delivering the content, experiences, and storytelling to match the Kingdom’s goals. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Edge.

For more information or to schedule an interview with Mark Browning, CEO of Zinc Media Group, please contact:  
Gwen Wunderlich at WNDR Group 
gwen@wkc.rocks
+1 718 612 3990

About The Edge:
The Edge is an award-winning production company with a strong international reputation in creativity and factual storytelling. They have delivered award-winning brand films, TVCs, documentaries, and branded content in Saudi Arabia for over 15 years, working with leading organizations and cultural institutions to bring Saudi stories to global audiences. In addition to Riyadh, offices are located in London, Doha, Paris, and Durban. Visit The Edge at https://Edge-Arabia.com/. Visit Zinc Media Group at https://ZincMedia.com/