Mining industry leaders and experts are gathered in Cape Town for the world’s largest conference and exhibition.

Africa’s mining industry will come under the microscope today as more than 7,500 delegates representing 1,800 international companies arrive in Cape Town for the start of the Investing in African Mining Indaba conference.

Major issues surrounding the industry including labour disputes, rising costs and the effects of the global economy will be debated by the delegates.

South Africa’s Mineral Resources Minister, Susan Shabangu, is one of a high profile list of speakers at the event.

She told a pre-conference, Brand South Africa meeting that the transformation of the industry was fundamental to helping the country overcome its dual challenges of poverty and inequality.

She will also tell attendees that improvements to the regulatory framework aimed at attracting investment had already been made and that the government has no intention of nationalising South Africa’s mines.

And she will urge investors to view transformation positively. She said: “The way to balance profit and social responsibility is to work together. Partnerships are key.”

Other speakers lined up for this week’s event include author Dr Dambisa Moyo, Goldfields chairman Dr Mamphela Ramphele and world-renowned economist Dr Marc Faber.

The event is organised by Mining Indaba LLC and for more than 18 years together with its partners in South Africa and the African continent, has channelled billions of dollars into the African mining value chain.

Chief executive of Brand South Africa, Miller Matola, said: “We must find ways to take advantage of opportunities that are presented by a continent that is clearly on the rise.

The mining sector roundtable was hosted by Brand South Africa, KPMG and CNBC Africa, included a panel discussion about the opportunities for growth offered by transformation.

Source : abdas.org