South Africa’s (SA) Minerals and Petroleum Resources Minister, Gwede Mantashe has delivered the opening address at the Africa Mining Indaba, touching on the importance of critical minerals and the future of mining, on the African continent.
The Africa Mining Indaba 2026 is underway in Cape Town, in the Western Cape Province.
The annual gathering brings together organisations and role players shaping the future of African mining, including government officials, major mining companies and emerging producers.
Mantashe says SA regards coal as one of the critical minerals.
“We need to talk about export earnings in terms of their contribution to development on the continent, and we have our own definitions. That is why, among our critical minerals, we also include coal. In other continents, different products are prioritised, but for us, coal is quite an important resource because it employs many people, generates foreign earnings, and contributes significantly to development in Africa,” he adds.
–SABC–
[Media Q&A 🎬 ]
🔴 Watch Minister @GwedeMantashe1 Deputy Minister Phumzile Mgcina and Director-General Jacob Mbele brief the media on the sidelines of the Investing in African Mining Indaba 2026.
The briefing addressed key issues including the review of the MPRDA, the mining… pic.twitter.com/GE3nO9ZnnP— Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (@DMPR_ZA) February 9, 2026
This year’s #MiningIndaba convenes at a moment of profound global uncertainty. We are witnessing heightened geopolitical tensions, driven largely by the competition of some developed economies seeking greater control over the natural resources of developing nations. #MI26 pic.twitter.com/XkNLCm6vLu
— Gwede Mantashe (@GwedeMantashe1) February 9, 2026
