The African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC) is to host its 3rd African Forum on Mining from March 19-21, 2025, at the African Union Commission Headquarters in Addis Ababa. The forum, themed “The Africa Mining Vision at 16: Achievements, Challenges, and Opportunities,” will bring together a wide range of stakeholders in the African mining industry to discuss the continent's mineral development.
The event will convene government representatives, regional economic communities, development partners, geological survey experts, women in mining advocates, artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) operators, members of mining associations and chambers, stock exchange representatives, private sector leaders, academics, civil society organizations, and other key players.
This year's forum marks the 16th anniversary of the Africa Mining Vision (AMV), a blueprint adopted by the African Union in 2009. The AMV aims to leverage Africa’s mineral wealth for industrialization and sustainable economic development, moving beyond raw resource extraction to value-added processing and industrial growth.
The forum will provide an opportunity to evaluate the progress made in implementing the AMV, spearheaded by the AMDC. Discussions will also focus on the increasing global demand for critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and graphite, driven by the shift towards decarbonized energy systems. This presents a significant opportunity for Africa to become a key player in the green minerals value chain.
However, the forum will also address existing challenges in areas such as local beneficiation, economic linkages, and broader industrial development. The African Green Minerals Strategy (AGMS), which seeks to utilize green minerals for industrialization, job creation, and sustainable economic growth, will likely be a key topic of discussion.
The African Forum on Mining is a biannual event organized by the AMDC to foster dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge sharing within the mining sector. Previous forums were held in Accra, Ghana (2019) and in 2022, focusing on AMV implementation, sustainable mining practices, and value chain opportunities. The upcoming forum will specifically assess the progress of the AMV, discuss ongoing challenges, and explore emerging opportunities in the realm of green minerals and the ongoing energy transition.