Africa’s mining elites take centre stage at Mining Indaba 2027

The people driving African mining forward will have a new stage at Mining Indaba 2027. On 10 February, the Mining Elites in Africa Awards Ceremony will make its debut at the continent’s leading mining investment gathering, bringing a decade of industry recognition to a global audience of investors, mining companies, governments and industry leaders.

The partnership will showcase the leaders, companies and projects driving measurable progress and creating lasting value across the mining sector.
Mining Indaba 2027 is built around the theme “Stronger Together: Putting Partnerships into Practice”, with a focus on what collaboration delivers when it moves from discussion to action.

The Mining Elites awards will bring this principle to life by highlighting achievements in responsible mining, community development, technology, leadership and operational performance. The focus will be on tangible results and the contribution these leaders and organisations are making to businesses, communities and economies.

A decade of mining leadership

Published by Mining Review Africa, Mining Elites in Africa has recognised excellence across the continent since 2015. What began as an annual yearbook has grown into an established industry platform that documents the people, companies, projects and innovations helping shape African mining. The awards ceremony at Mining Indaba marks an important evolution for Mining Elites, bringing the programme directly into a gathering of the industry’s most influential decision makers and giving finalists and winners an international platform for their work.

For Gerard Peter, Editor in Chief of Mining Review Africa, bringing the awards ceremony to Mining Indaba represents a significant step in the evolution of Mining Elites: “Mining Elites has always been about recognising the people and organisations making a real difference across African mining. Bringing the awards ceremony to Mining Indaba gives that recognition a powerful
new platform. It puts the achievements of those driving responsible, innovative and impactful mining in front of the industry’s key decision makers and creates an opportunity to celebrate what is being delivered across the continent.”

For Mining Indaba, the awards reinforce the practical focus of the MI27 theme. Laura Nicholson, Industry Director at Mining Indaba, sees the partnership as a direct reflection of the MI27 theme and its focus on turning collaboration into results: “The mining industry does not need another conversation about why partnership matters. It needs examples of what partnership can deliver. That is why Mining Elites is such a strong fit for Mining Indaba 2027. The awards will showcase the leaders and organisations turning collaboration into results and creating value across the mining value chain. This is what ‘Stronger Together: Putting Partnerships into Practice’ means in action.”

An industry led judging panel

Mining Elites 2027 will be assessed by an experienced panel representing expertise across mining, investment, advisory, legal, policy and industry.
Members of the Mining Indaba Steering Committee have confirmed their participation in the judging process, adding independent industry perspectives to the evaluation of this year’s nominations.

The judging panel includes:

• Jonathan Veeran, Partner, Webber Wentzel
• Isabelle Ramdoo, Director, IGF
• Allison George, Senior Strategic Advisor, dss+
• Julie Courtnage, Executive Director, Mandela Mining Precinct
• Andrew Lane, Strategic Advisor
• Puso Thahane, Partner, Boston Consulting Group
• Bokang Kelepa, Chief Growth Officer, Baletsema Holdings
• Marcus Courage, CEO, Africa Practice
• Laura Nicholson, Industry Director, Mining Indaba

The panel brings together perspectives from across the sector to assess the contribution, impact and significance of this year’s entries.

Recognising achievement that moves the industry forward

The 2027 Mining Elites in Africa Awards will recognise achievement across leadership, emerging leadership, ESG, future mining technologies and transformational mining projects. The programme will highlight those delivering meaningful environmental, social and economic value while advancing innovation, responsible business and operational excellence.

The 2027 edition carries the theme “Mining Beyond Tomorrow”, recognising the individuals and organisations responding to a changing industry and helping shape a more sustainable, innovative and resilient future for African mining.

Nominations close 30 September

Nominations are open to industry professionals who want to put forward an organisation, project, company or colleague making a measurable contribution to African mining. Nominations close on 30 September 2026.

Following the close of nominations, entries will be assessed by the Mining Elites judging panel, with winners announced at the Mining Elites in Africa Awards Ceremony on 10 February 2027 during Mining Indaba in Cape Town.

Submit a nomination and put the people, projects and companies driving progress across African mining in the spotlight.
Click here to nominate https://lnkd.in/eGcQeFcE