The Eastern Cape province is poised to host the 3rd Annual Eastern Cape Province 2025 Mining CSI Indaba on 30th –31st October 2025 in East London. This is a flagship platform convening mining industry leaders, government officials, investors, academia, development finance institutions, SMMEs, and community representatives — with a strong emphasis on youth and women inclusion.
This year’s theme, “Unlocking the Full Mining Value Chain for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development,” reflects the province’s bold vision to harness its untapped mineral and human capital potential through integrated, community-driven, and future-focused approaches.
Driving Inclusive Participation Across the Entire Mining Ecosystem, the 2025 Indaba aims to catalyse sustainable development by promoting the entire mining service value chain — from exploration, extraction, and beneficiation to logistics, exports, enterprise development, and support services. By leveraging the Eastern Cape’s geographic location, skills base, and infrastructure potential, the Indaba seeks to unlock provincial participation across mining-linked sectors such as:
- Construction and civil works
- ICT and innovation
- Green energy and environmental services
- Agriculture and Agri-hubs
- Transport and logistics
- Training, research, and consulting services
At the heart of the dialogue is the reconfiguration and revitalisation of Social and Labour Plans (SLPs) in line with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE)’s Mining Charter, ensuring that mining activities not only generate economic value but also deliver lasting social impact.
The Strategic objectives of the 2025 Indaba are:
- To promote local beneficiation; supplier development; and manufacturing linkages
- Advance STEM education; ICT training, and skills development for youth and women
- Facilitate youth entrepreneurship and access to procurement opportunities in the mining supply chain
- Support community agriculture; Agri-hub incubation; and climate-smart food systems
- Champion responsible environmental stewardship, green innovation, and renewable energy transitions to create pathways for women in mining leadership, technical roles, and enterprise ownership
- Foster cross-border partnerships to support regional integration and knowledge sharing
The 2025 Indaba will feature strategic voices shaping the future of inclusive mining such as Premier of the Eastern Cape, Hon. Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane, who will share the province’s vision for sustainable industrialisation, infrastructure expansion, and social upliftment in his keynote address themed “Unlocking the Eastern Cape’s Mining Potential”. Executive Mayor, Cllr. Princess Faku’s opening remarks place emphasis on mining’s role as a transformative lever for job creation, youth empowerment, and local economic development. Sharing the stage with them is an esteemed panel who will be delving into insights on innovation’s role in transforming mining operations and fostering regional collaboration as well as academic-industry-TVET alignment in building a skilled, future-ready mining workforce.
Key highlights of the 2025 programme will be on:
- Policy Dialogues: Shaping mining legislation, Mining Charter implementation, and inclusive economic policy
- Investment Mapping Sessions: Lifting of SLP investment as leverage for developing other productive sectors such as Agri industries.
- CSI Showcases: Featuring impactful corporate social investments across health, housing, education, and social innovation
- Youth & Women Empowerment Labs: Co-creating solutions to improve access to capital, training, and market entry
- Exhibitions & Networking Spaces: Connecting mining houses with SMMEs, cooperatives, and service providers
A Vision for the Future of The Eastern Cape Mining CSI Indaba is more than an annual conference — it is a strategic catalyst to position the province as a national leader in inclusive, sustainable, and impactful mining. One that not only unlocks mineral wealth but ensures that surrounding communities — especially youth, women, and historically excluded groups are active co-creators of value.
By reimagining the implementation of Social and Labour Plans and aligning provincial efforts with the DMRE’s Mining Charter objectives, the Indaba will accelerate efforts to build a resilient, inclusive, and innovation-driven mining economy in the Eastern Cape.
This Indaba is our collective commitment to a mining sector that works for all — one that transforms mineral endowments into real opportunities, sustainable livelihoods, and lasting prosperity for every Eastern Cape community. — Organisers
- Website: https://ecminingindaba.co.za/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eastern-cape-mining-indaba-csi-267572254/
