British High Commissioner Antony Phillipson will be sharing his insights at the Critical Minerals Africa (CMA) Summit in Cape Town on November 6-7. With South Africa holding a significant portion of the world’s platinum group metal (PGMs) reserves, the event will focus on the country’s crucial role in the energy transition and the opportunities it presents for the UK.
Phillipson will talk about leveraging South Africa’s vast mineral reserves, including platinum, manganese, vanadium, and others essential for green technologies, to meet the increasing demand for energy transition metals. The UK government, a major investor in South Africa, is working to strengthen the critical minerals value chain in the country by supporting exploration, production, and value addition for key mineral projects.
As part of these efforts, two startups in South Africa’s critical minerals sector have been selected as potential beneficiaries of the 2024 Climate Finance Accelerator. These startups, Creslow Energy Solutions and Manganese Metal Company, are set to receive technical and financial assistance to advance their projects in renewable energy and battery manufacturing.
The Critical Minerals Africa 2024 summit aims to position Africa as the primary investment destination for critical minerals, with a focus on promoting sustainable practices and maximizing in-country processing. The event, held alongside the African Energy Week conference, will provide industry leaders and investors with valuable insights into the potential of Africa’s mineral market.
Phillipson’s engagement with British investors and mining firms highlights the growing partnership between the UK and South Africa in the critical minerals sector. With UK companies playing a crucial role in advancing South Africa’s mineral value chain, lucrative investment opportunities are on the horizon for stakeholders looking to capitalize on the region’s mineral wealth.
