Unexplored regions in Africa await junior miners

Bernard Swanepoel, chairperson: Junior Indaba 2016. © Wynand van der Merwe

They seek governments that facilitate exploration and provide competitive royalty concessions and those that have a better strategy to attract the all-important investment dollar.

Volatile environment

“Moderate size discoveries cost about 300% more in real terms than 20 years ago. The mining industry faces regulatory uncertainty, lack of security on tenure, and combined with low returns for shareholders make funding virtually impossible from traditional and conventional sources”, says Bernard Swanepoel, chairperson of the Junior and Joburg Indaba

The recently launched 2016 Junior Indaba programme is not for the feint hearted. Speakers include legends such as Neal Froneman, Rob Still, Johan Dippenaar, Andy Clay, and Richard Linnell amongst others who, having successful track records, are guaranteed to inspire and challenge the most intrepid explorer, developer and even investor.

Pressing issues

Regulatory certainty, ore bodies, licensing and incentive schemes are pressing issues that African governments are constantly heeded to provide urgent attention to. A panel of delegates including Maureen Dlamini, CEO of the Zambia Chamber of Mines, will address the progress made by other African governments.

One of the burning questions facing juniors in the game today is how to turn a mine around for growth. Opportunities have arisen from the unbundling of assets and extending the life of mine. It seems “smaller” guys are making things work where bigger guys could not. Neil Pretorius, CEO of DRD Gold, will showcase how juniors can make money in the current environment.

Elephants in the room and busting myths

The Mining Charter is one topic that will most surely feature in the session: Debating the Elephant in the Room, where delegates vote on which topic made it to the top of the pile and debate with unrivalled frankness to find a common solution for the future.