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Miners sow seeds for success at Indaba

EXPERT DELEGATION The Ukwazi leadership team will be making the most out of the Mining Indaba

WHEELING AND DEALING Networking has always been a key feature of the Mining Indaba

24th January 2020

By: Darren Parker

Creamer Media Contributing Editor Online

     

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This article has been supplied as a media statement and is not written by Creamer Media. It may be available only for a limited time on this website.

Mining services provider Ukwazi business development director Spencer Eckstein compares the Investing in African Mining Indaba to farming, as many delegates and companies attending the event are “planting seeds” and hoping for a “fruitful harvest” in terms of new deals and business leads.

 

Mining services provider Ukwazi business development director Spencer Eckstein compares the Investing in African Mining Indaba to farming, as many delegates and companies attending the event are “planting seeds” and hoping for a “fruitful harvest” in terms of new deals and business leads.

Apart from the value gained from attending talks, panels and presentations, the event has shown that, after 25 years, its real value remains in the networking that takes place, whether formal or informal.

 

“Generally, the event appears to attract the right people in the industry. “Therefore, valuable networking occurs at the event, as well as in the parallel Mining Indaba universe of coffee shops, hospitality tents, bars or hotels, as well as the many cocktail receptions and private functions organised by the sponsors,” he says.

The cost of registration for delegates and exhibitors has steadily increased over the years. Cost for a general delegate – including an early registration discount – is about £1170, or about R22 490, excluding travel and accommodation costs in Cape Town.

Prices are quoted in pounds sterling because UK events company Hyve Group – formerly ITE – bought the rights to the Mining Indaba in 2018.

“The ever-increasing costs of attending the event have ensured that the value for attendees remains in the forced proximity of investors and project owners, and their willingness to engage during this time,” Eckstein notes.

He adds that most deals are not made at the event, but rather that pre-existing deals are ceremoniously closed at the even for maximum media coverage. Alternatively, the Mining Indaba affords potential partners the opportunity to make contact.

“To stay relevant, we believe that the organisers must reconsider pricing to ensure that the event is not overshadowed by parallel activities,” Eckstein comments.

Networking will be even more effective and efficient this year, as the conference package includes access to a business-matching application – which can be installed on a smartphone – enabling delegates to select whom they wish to meet with and arrange times and venues.

Further, during conference proceedings, there are opportunities for “blind business speed dating”, whereby delegates set up shop at a numbered table and then rotate through the room after 20 or 30 seconds, depending on who is running the session.

“One trend that has been used very successfully by all delegates in past years is to set up meetings in one of the private rooms at the main conference venue, or in one of the hotels nearby, and use that as a base,” Eckstein explains.

These companies then pre-arrange all their meetings with the relevant individuals or companies they would like to meet.

“It makes the networking far more efficient and effective, and allows for a more strategic approach to partnering,” he says.

Gaining Access

For other delegates, the opportunity to communicate directly with high-ranking government delegates, deputies or Ministers is extremely valuable.

“Whether facetime with government officials lasts a few minutes or comprises a fully fledged meeting, it is appreciated. Some mining executives can try for months, or even years, to secure an audience with the right government officials – especially those of other African countries,” Eckstein says.

He adds that this could make a world of difference to whether a certain project becomes well known, and whether it receives valuable government support or “sinks into oblivion”.

“This year, we’re building on the success of the 2019 Mining Indaba in terms of the high level of government participation and the substantial increase in the number of investors we saw attending the event. “We believe that mining executives can fit in a month’s worth of meetings in four days,” Investing in African Mining Indaba content head Tom Quinn confirmed in a statement.

The Mining Indaba has become a major event for international miners, with about

6 000 delegates expected this year and 600 more investors attending the event than any other event last year, Quinn said.

“Finding value at the event depends on your expectations, experience and perspective, because, while you may have many interactions with potential partners, not all will result in a deal or even a business lead,” Eckstein notes.

He confirms that the formal presentations and panel discussions are generally of a high standard, as skilled moderators bring out the best in panellists, ensuring that the content is newsworthy and insightful.

This year’s agenda covers several important areas, including investment, issues related to youth and mining, sustainability, battery metals and junior mining. Perennial favourites, such as the investment battlefields, will also be included.

Further, innovative areas will cover the transition to Industry 4.0, Mining Vision 2050, and the new general legal counsel forum.

“Overall, the focus of the event will be on investment in the digital economy of mining. Investment in African mining is, after all, the primary purpose of the Mining Indaba,” Quinn said.

Ukwazi delegates will attend the event this year, which will be held in Cape Town.

“Finding value at the event depends on your expectations, experience and perspective” – Spencer Eckstein.
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Edited by Nadine James
Features Deputy Editor

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