The Critical Minerals Africa 2024 Summit will facilitate connections between South African projects and UK investors, fostering deal signings and the establishment of strategic partnerships.

The British High Commissioner, Antony Phillipson, is scheduled to deliver a speech at the Critical Minerals Africa (CMA) Summit in Cape Town, South Africa, taking place on November 6-7. During his address, Phillipson will emphasize the pivotal role South Africa plays in the global energy transition, given its abundant reserves of platinum, manganese, vanadium, and other essential minerals. Phillipson will delve into potential avenues for the United Kingdom to collaborate with South Africa's supply chain, thereby addressing the escalating demand for energy transition metals.

South Africa possesses a significant portion of the world's reserves of platinum group metals (PGMs), holding approximately 95% of the global supply. Additionally, the country boasts substantial reserves of manganese, vanadium, magnesium, nickel, and copper, all of which are crucial for the development and implementation of green hydrogen, solar photovoltaic (PV), and energy storage technologies.

As a significant investor in South Africa, the UK government is actively engaging both private and public sector investors to fortify South Africa's critical minerals value chain. The focus is on exploration, production, and value addition for critical mineral projects. In March 2024, the British High Commission in Pretoria meticulously selected two startups within the critical minerals value chain as potential recipients of the 2024 Climate Finance Accelerator in South Africa. This esteemed program offers invaluable technical and financial assistance to innovative startups. Creslow Energy Solutions, situated in Mpumalanga, will strategically utilize the support from UK institutions to advance its renewable battery manufacturing capabilities. Simultaneously, Manganese Metal Company will embark on the development of a 5,000-ton per annum manganese sulphate monohydrate plant in Mbombela. This endeavor aims to effectively address the escalating demand for batteries in electric vehicles.

The Critical Minerals Africa 2024 summit on November 6 - 7 serves to position Africa as the primary investment destination for critical minerals. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energy 2024 conference  (http://apo-opa.co/3XRLC1y) on November 4 - 8, offering delegates access to the full scope of energy, mining and finance leaders in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com

During the CMA 2023 event, Phillipson unveiled a substantial funding package of R20 million to support African nations, including South Africa, in their pursuit of optimal methodologies for enhancing domestic critical mineral processing and mid-stream value addition. In a strategic move to stimulate global demand for PGMs, the esteemed UK-based multinational mining corporation Anglo American joined forces with the renowned international energy company Sasol and the automotive manufacturing giant BMW to conduct comprehensive testing of green hydrogen vehicles in South Africa during October 2023. At the upcoming CMA 2024 conference, Phillipson is poised to present further details pertaining to the commission's concerted efforts to forge partnerships with esteemed British investors and mining companies, with the overarching objective of advancing South Africa's critical minerals value chain.

In the upstream sector, British corporations are prominent investors and producers of essential minerals in South Africa. Anglo American, via its South African operations, is a global leader in the production of PGMs. The company operates the Mogalakwena, Amandelbult, Matotolo, Der Brochen, and Twickenham mines, which are vital to the stability of the global supply market. In the first quarter of 2024, the company increased its nickel production by 42% to 4,700 tons and its copper production by 22% to 3,300 tons, thereby enhancing South Africa’s contribution to the global market.

Rio Tinto operates the Richards Bay Minerals project, South Africa’s largest mineral sands producing mine. The mine produces rutile, iron, slag, and zircon, which are essential for the production of smartphones and various electronic devices. At the Critical Minerals Association (CMA) conference, Phillipson will share insights on UK-funded critical mineral projects in South Africa and present investment opportunities for UK investors in the market.

"UK companies play a crucial role in advancing South Africa’s critical minerals value chain. As South Africa seeks to capitalize on the growing demand for critical minerals to drive its economic growth, lucrative investment opportunities for UK private and public sector mining stakeholders continue to expand,” states James Chester, CEO of Energy Capital & Power.