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SAIMM Critical Minerals Conference 2026

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Date	30 July 2026
-	31 July 2026
Resources	Critical Minerals 2026 Announcement 29012026.pdf

Background

BACKGROUND

The global shift to a low-carbon economy has created unprecedented demand for critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, copper, nickel, rare earths, manganese, and graphite. Southern Africa holds vast reserves, positioning the region as a strategic player in the green economy. Yet, challenges in policy alignment, infrastructure, beneficiation, and governance risk limiting value creation.

The SAIMM Conference will convene governments, industry leaders, financiers, researchers, and civil society to chart pathways from extraction to value addition, ensuring Africa captures prosperity across the full critical minerals value chain.

Submit an Abstract

Abstract submissions are now open!

The Critical Minerals Committee is inviting you to submit an abstract for presentation at the Critical Minerals Conference 2026

Why submit an abstract?

Strengthen your professional reputation.
Showcase your organisation’s achievements and accomplishments.
Offer the industry valuable insights, case studies, and expertise.
Inform stakeholders, including colleagues and researchers, about your accomplishments and progress.
Create new opportunities for collaboration to benefit the industry.

Submission process

Abstracts will be subject to peer review, the committee will decide whether to accept or decline the submissions. Relevance to the conference theme, accuracy and uniqueness of ideas, contribution significance, and presentation quality are among the selection factors. Download abstract submission template.

Authors will be notified in writing of the acceptance of their abstract. Once accepted the author can submit a full paper for review. Download paper guidelines.

Please note

All accepted abstracts will be published in the conference proceedings and presented during technical sessions.
All presenting authors are required to register and pay for conference attendance prior to publication in the conference proceedings.

Key Dates

Abstract Submission: 27 April 2026
Paper Submission: 1 June 2026

SUBMIT AN ABSTRACT

Topics to be Covered

CONFERENCE STREAMS

Governance, Policy & Regional Collaboration – Aligning frameworks, strengthening institutions, enabling cooperation.
Infrastructure & Strategic Corridors – Unlocking logistics, energy, and industrial ecosystems.
Innovation, Beneficiation & Value Addition – Advancing R&D, technology, and downstream industries.
ESG, Energy Transition & Inclusive Development – Ensuring sustainability, resilience, and equitable growth.

Who Should Attend

TARGET AUDIENCE

Governments & Regional Bodies: Ministers, regulators, SADC, AU, AMDC.
Industry & Private Sector: Mining houses, technology suppliers, financiers, logistics operators.
Development Partners & DFIs: World Bank, AfDB, IFC, bilateral institutions.
Research & Academia: Universities, CSIR, innovation hubs.
Civil Society & NGOs: ESG specialists, community advocates.
Investors & Trade Partners: OEMs, supply chain participants.
Legal, Regulatory & Compliance Advisors
Infrastructure, Energy & Logistics Providers
Processing, Refining & Manufacturing Players
Standards Bodies & Certification Agencies