DSTI-NRF CIMERA was proud to participate in Mining Indaba 2026, contributing to key conversations on innovation, sustainability, critical minerals, and the Just Energy Transition — while also enabling a cohort of our CIMERA delegates to attend through sponsorship support by the Hyve group.

Throughout the week, CIMERA engaged with global stakeholders across industry, academia, and policy, reinforcing the importance of research-led insight in shaping a rapidly evolving mineral and energy landscape.

Leadership on the Global Stage

Prof. Susan Webb, Co-Director of CIMERA, participated in a panel exploring cross-industry innovation and what mining can learn from oil and gas technologies to accelerate digital transformation and reduce implementation risk.

Busisiwe Maphalala, CIMERA CoE Manager, contributed to a timely discussion interrogating whether a circular economy can be not only environmentally sound, but also socially just — particularly for producing countries navigating shifting global demand. The session placed equity and development at the centre of sustainability conversations.

Delegate Experience: Expanding Horizons

For many CIMERA delegates, Mining Indaba 2026 was a career-defining experience.

One delegate shared:

“Attending the conference will remain a highlight in my geosciences career journey. It exposed me to a wide range of career pathways and industry perspectives that I had not previously fully considered. The experience broadened my understanding of how academic research connects with industry needs, and it significantly expanded my professional network.”

Another reflected on the value of cross-disciplinary exposure:

“The Indaba was invaluable. I gained insights from formal sessions and made meaningful connections that could shape future collaboration. Attending was crucial to expanding the scope and applicability of my work.”

Delegates highlighted the benefit of engaging with emerging themes such as AI in mining, digital twins, sustainability, ESG, and local value creation. Several noted that attending multiple days allowed for a more balanced experience between panel discussions, exhibitions, and networking.

The opportunity to attend invite-only engagements and connect with industry leaders further enhanced the value of participation.

Looking Ahead

Mining Indaba 2026 reaffirmed the importance of creating platforms where research, industry, and policy intersect. It also demonstrated the tangible impact that exposure, access, and engagement can have on emerging professionals in the mineral and energy sectors.

CIMERA extends sincere appreciation to Hyve Group for enabling participation and supporting meaningful engagement at this global platform.

As the sector continues to evolve, CIMERA remains committed to advancing integrated mineral and energy resource analysis that supports innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth.