Key mining-sector players from government, industry and research institutions came together at a high-level event yesterday to translate the recently developed G20 Critical Minerals Framework into sustainable, inclusive partnerships that will drive growth.
The Ministerial G20 Critical Minerals Stakeholder Engagement, hosted by South Africa’s Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) in partnership with Investing in African Mining Indaba, was held under the theme “Harnessing Critical Minerals for Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth.”
The event took place as the world transitions to digital economies and cleaner energy, which are in turn driving demand for critical minerals such as lithium, rare earth elements, copper and platinum. These minerals are essential for technologies like batteries, solar panels, hydrogen fuel cells and semiconductors.
The G20 Critical Minerals Framework was developed by the G20 countries as a roadmap towards secure, transparent and sustainable value chains. The Framework will be tabled for formal endorsement at the G20 Leaders’ Summit to be hosted by South Africa – as G20 chair – later this year.
The document provides a voluntary, principles-based approach built around three pillars: Investing in Exploration; Beneficiation at Source; and Responsible Mining and Sourcing.
Delivering the keynote speech at the event, South African minister of minerals and petroleum resources Gwede Mantashe said countries endowed with natural resources had long had to contend with underdevelopment, as well as unequal access to downstream economic benefits. He said the event sought ways to avoid that in the critical-minerals era.
“We mine, but we make other countries rich. Meanwhile, we remain poor,” said Mantashe. “This discussion is about changing that reality.”
Addressing the same theme, Frans Baleni, chairman of the Mining Indaba executive advisory board, noted that critical-mineral supply chains remained highly imbalanced and tightly controlled by a few countries. He said this imbalance posed significant challenges to energy-transition strategies and the national security of many countries.
“Mining Indaba has consistently emphasised the need for a robust, sustainable and inclusive mining future for Africa,” said Baleni. “Today, as we focus on critical minerals, this mission becomes even more urgent and impactful.”
There was broad agreement on the need to collaborate on approaches to unlocking South Africa’s critical-minerals opportunities – a sentiment that also aligns with the theme for Investing in African Mining Indaba 2026: “Stronger together: Progress through partnerships”.
Speaking at a technical panel during the event, deputy minister of electricity and energy Samantha Graham-Maré said that the South African government was working to build efficiencies through collaboration.
“We’re working to break down silos between departments – the DTI, treasury, electricity, minerals and other departments,” said Graham-Maré. “We have a strategy, so we want to bring all departments on board to implement it.”
Speaking during a discussion on public-private partnerships, B20 co-chair Mxolisi Mgojo said that the ability of South Africans to work together was a national asset.
“When I was at a recent B20 meeting in Brazil, many global observers told me that collaboration between government, business and labour gives South Africa a competitive advantage,” said Mgojo. “South Africa’s model of public-private partnerships is an inspiration to many.”
Another point of discussion at the event was that – despite their importance – there remained no universal definition of critical minerals. One panellist noted that research indicated that coal could be seen as a critical mineral – for energy generation, but also as a source of other minerals.
“It’s been found that coal and fly ash contain high levels of rare-earth elements like vanadium – often at higher grades than typical sources,” said Mintek CEO Dr Molefi Motuku. “A resource we were once pressured to move away from, may now provide the critical minerals the world needs. We are inviting partners to join us on the journey to reimagine coal.”
Baleni agreed that the surge in demand for critical minerals would cause disruption, but could also offer numerous exciting opportunities – as long as stakeholders worked together.
“We must forge a future where critical minerals drive inclusive and sustainable economic growth for all,” he said. “The idea of progress through partnership is timely and relevant to the critical-minerals agenda. Complex global challenges demand collective solutions.”
Investing in African Mining Indaba 2026 is a crucial platform for shaping the future of mining on the African continent. It brings together governments, asset owners and industry leaders to turn insights into action. The event takes place from February 9 – 12, 2026 at the CTICC, Cape Town.
