Investing in African Mining Indaba, the world’s largest mining investment event, today announced registration is open. Reacting to the market conditions and unfavorable currency-conversion rates that have resulted in recent lower attendance, Indaba officials have announced a new historic price reduction for mining and exploration companies. 

Registration fees are as much as 50% lower than last year for mining corporates, based upon company size and type. Mining Indaba, now in its 23rd year, will take place 6-9 February, 2017, in Cape Town, South Africa. 

Jonathan Moore, managing director of Mining Indaba, said the success of the event relies on participation from investors, mining ministers, and mining corporates. “We want to ensure that mining companies meet investors who are eager to learn about their projects,” he said. “Toward that end, we need to attract the mining companies. This new pricing will help make that possible, especially for the junior miners.”

Investors and mining ministers again are invited to attend at no cost. 

Mining Indaba delegates speak out

Event officials recently surveyed those who attended the 2016 conferences – and those who attended in 2015 but did not return the following year – with the goal of improving all aspects of Mining Indaba. Mining company attendees reported that market conditions and poor currency conversion rates made it difficult to send all who should participate in the conference. In some cases, companies could not attend at all. 

“It’s clear that this had an impact on event equilibrium,” Moore said. The number of investors at the 2016 Mining Indaba more than doubled, and attendance from African and non-African governments was also strong, he reported.

“We believe this change in pricing for mining corporates will make it possible for all miners – from large to nano cap – to be able to attend the 2017 Indaba,” Moore said. “We want all those who seek investment and who wish to meet with government ministers, service providers and their peers to be able to participate, and to conduct productive business in Cape Town.”

New sponsorship opportunities also will make it possible for mining companies of all sizes to have a presence and demonstrate their value. Fred Noce, director of sales for Mining Indaba, said, “It’s my goal to help any mining company looking for visibility to get it this year. I anticipate that the increase in the number of mining companies with a physical presence, along with our deliberate elimination of more than 40 sponsoring service providers and equipment companies will greatly improve connections and commerce on the exhibit hall floor.”

In addition to these price reductions, Mining Indaba will introduce new and unique ways for people to connect and meet. Improvements will include expansion of the commodity-specific, speed-networking program and the networking round tables.

“Those enhancements – along with remarkable speakers, heated panel discussions, mining company presentations, country case studies, and thought-provoking research – will make the 2017 Indaba an invaluable experience for all who are working toward improving the state of mining in Africa,” Jonathan Moore said.