British High Commissioner Antony Phillipson will be a keynote speaker at the upcoming Critical Minerals Africa (CMA) Summit in Cape Town, set to take place on November 6 to 7, 2024. The summit aims to highlight the importance of critical minerals in the energy transition and how countries like South Africa can play a pivotal role in meeting the growing demand for these essential resources.
South Africa, known for its vast reserves of platinum group metals (PGMs), manganese, vanadium, and other critical minerals, holds a key position in the global supply chain for green hydrogen, solar PV, and energy storage technologies. With up to 95% of the world’s PGM reserves, the country is a significant player in the critical minerals market.
The UK government, a major investor in South Africa, is actively working to strengthen the country’s critical minerals value chain. By mobilizing private and public sector investors, the UK aims to support exploration, production, and value addition for critical mineral projects in South Africa.
At the summit, Phillipson is expected to discuss how British investors and mining firms can collaborate to advance South Africa’s critical minerals value chain. Additionally, South Sudan’s Minister of Mining, Martin Gama Abucha, will also be present to discuss the country’s untapped potential in critical minerals, including copper, zinc, manganese, nickel, and cobalt.
Overall, the CMA Summit 2024 will serve as a platform for industry leaders, government officials, and investors to explore opportunities in the critical minerals sector and drive the energy transition forward.
