The mining industry is reimagining itself, empowering the youth as a precious asset for the future. Across the sector, stakeholders have committed to attracting young people and unlocking their full potential.
As a critical economic sector committed to inclusive growth, the mining industry is evolving rapidly, building partnerships across the economy – and across society – to unlock value and opportunities for all role players. Clear evidence of this is the growing cohort of young people in the industry.
This year’s flagship mining-sector event, Investing in African Mining Indaba 2025, saw a strong youth presence, with an entire day of the event dedicated to a Young Leaders Programme. The programme featured a keynote speech by South African Deputy Minister of Minerals and Petroleum Resources Phumzile Mgcina, as well as panel discussions and networking sessions for current and prospective young mining professionals.
Well-attended panel discussions saw young Africans sharing their vision for the industry, and how to unlock the continent’s full youth potential. A group of more than 10 PhD students in mining-related fields were also integrated into the programme, bringing more youth perspectives to the event.
‘Speak our language’
A recurring theme has been that to empower young people in the sector, mining must speak the language of young Africans, on issues they can relate to. In many cases, that is about inclusivity and sustainability.
“Young professionals are looking for purpose-driven careers that offer impact, growth, innovation and inclusivity,” says recent mining graduate Nomvula Mahlangu, currently completing her internship at Sibanye Stillwater’s Gold Division.
Mahlangu, 26, believes the mining sector can bring more young people into the industry by continuing to create flexible learning pathways, mentorship structures, and platforms for innovation and leadership.
The broader industry has shown growing enthusiasm to create such platforms. The R400-million Junior Mining Exploration Fund, for instance, established by the Industrial Development Corporation, the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources and The Council for Geoscience, gives junior mining businesses access to significant funding.
In terms of the culture of the industry, Mahlangu says there has been some progress in attracting young people into the business and hearing their voices.
“I’ve been fortunate to access platforms like AfriMine and the Mining Indaba Influencer initiative, where my voice has been heard, valued, and supported. However, in traditional spaces, young professionals still have to prove themselves before being taken seriously,” she says. “The sector is learning to trust fresh perspectives, but we must continue building inclusive environments that actively invite young professionals and listen to them.”
Mahlangu sees a growing number of young people entering the industry, but says they are yet to reach the level of representation where they can meaningfully start shaping the future of the sector.
“There is a visible rise in young professionals entering the mining industry — from technical roles to policy and ESG. However, we haven’t reached a critical mass yet,” she says. “We need stronger pipelines for young talent, mentorship programmes, and youth involvement in innovation hubs and industry strategy.”
‘Tell mining’s positive stories’
Echoing Mahlangu’s views about purpose-driven careers is Murendeni Makhado, 35, a corporate water specialist at Impala Platinum Holdings.
“Young people want to work in environments that are inclusive and forward-thinking, and which offer opportunities for growth and leadership,” she says.
Makhado says that to truly attract young people to the industry, it must use compelling storytelling that clearly describes the value of mining in society and its role in the renewable and technology economy.
“The mining sector is evolving and it does create positive opportunities, but there is a gap in how it communicates these opportunities,” says Makhado. “To attract more young talent, the industry must invest in storytelling, mentorship, and platforms that showcase the meaningful impact mining can have on communities and the ecosystems.”
Makhado says her role in the water and ESG space has given her a good insight into the positive impacts that mining can have.
“For young people passionate about sustainability, engineering, or community development, mining provides a platform to make a real difference,” she says. “It’s an industry where you can see the tangible results of your work, influence policy, and drive change at scale.”
An industry vision
Both Makhado and Mahlangu are optimistic about the industry and its moves to integrate young people into its strategic structures. The two young mining professionals are part of the Mining Indaba 2026 Influencer Campaign — an initiative to amplify authentic voices shaping the future of mining in Africa.
The campaign aims to showcase stories of innovation, sustainability and impact across the mining value chain, in line with the Mining Indaba 2026 theme: “Stronger Together: Progress Through Partnerships.”
““The next generation of mining professionals aren’t just the future of mining, they are the game-changers who are driving its evolution,” explains Mining Indaba’s content and communities director, Laura Nicholson. “Mining Indaba offers the youth platforms to empower emerging talent to learn, experiment, and articulate a bold vision for the industry. In challenging periods, new perspectives are a powerful investment in a future built on ingenuity, resilience and ambition.”
As for what that vision would look like, Makhado looks forward to building a mining industry that is regenerative, inclusive, and deeply integrated with the global sustainability agenda.
“My contribution lies in advancing water stewardship, ESG integration and cross-sector collaboration” she says. “The goal is to ensure that mining not only extracts value, but also creates it – socially, environmentally and economically.”
For Mahlangu, mining is about powering economies, advancing technology, and creating real-world impact.
“Mining can uplift communities, fund education and support green transitions. It offers a wealth of careers – everything from medicine to robotics and data analytics; engineering and ESG to tech and community development. For young people who want to be part of a global, future-facing, and diverse industry, mining offers endless possibilities.”
ENDS
