Welcome to the Special Edition of The Projects Magazine. Each year, following the Future of Mining Summit, we publish this special edition to capture the ideas, debates and perspectives that define Botswana’s most important mining conference. It serves as a permanent record of the conversations that took place during the summit while extending those discussions to a wider audience across the mining, engineering, construction and investment communities.
This year’s edition reflects the conversations from the Future of Mining Summit 2026, which attracted more than 1,500 delegates, further cementing its position as Botswana’s largest private sector-organised business conference. Now in its third year, the summit has grown into one of the region’s leading mining platforms, bringing together government leaders, mining executives, investors, equipment manufacturers, technology providers, financiers, suppliers, development partners and industry experts from across the world.
The continued endorsement of the summit by the Ministry of Minerals and Energy underscores the important role the platform now plays in advancing dialogue on Botswana’s mining sector. We were honoured that the summit was officially opened by the Vice President and Minister of Finance, Ndaba Gaolathe, whose keynote address highlighted the strategic importance of mining in Botswana’s broader economic transformation agenda. The Minister of Minerals and Energy, Bogolo Kenewendo, also presented government’s outlook for the sector and took time to engage directly with more than 100 exhibiting companies, demonstrating government’s commitment to working closely with industry.
The scale and quality of participation at this year’s summit reflected its growing international stature. The conference brought together 60 chief executive officers, more than 100 exhibitors, internationally renowned speakers and senior executives from some of the world’s leading mining companies. Global industry leaders, including Komatsu, Epiroc and Jindal Africa, were represented by their international and regional chief executives, while the attendance of eight ambassadors at the official opening ceremony further highlighted the summit’s expanding diplomatic and international profile.
Over two days, delegates engaged in robust discussions through keynote addresses, ministerial presentations, leadership fireside chats, technical presentations, panel discussions
and specialised breakout sessions. The conversations explored a broad range of issues shaping the future of mining, from exploration and project financing to digital transformation, infrastructure development, sustainability, local value addition, energy security, workforce development and responsible mining. Together, these discussions reflected an industry that is adapting to changing global realities while identifying new opportunities for growth and competitiveness.
One of the most significant additions to this year’s programme was the introduction of the Deal Room. Designed to bring project promoters and financiers together under one roof, the initiative created a practical platform for investment discussions and potential commercial partnerships. It marked an important evolution for the summit, reinforcing our ambition to move beyond dialogue by creating opportunities that can unlock investment and accelerate project development.
The summit also strengthened its commitment to developing future industry leaders through the Young Professionals Initiative (YPI). The programme welcomed 150 students, graduates and interns, giving them a unique opportunity to participate in the conference, engage directly with senior industry leaders and contribute their own perspectives through a dedicated panel discussion. Investing in young professionals is essential to ensuring that Botswana’s mining industry remains innovative, competitive and sustainable for generations to come.
Asyouturnthesepages,youwillfindtheinsights and perspectives shared by policymakers, industry leaders, technical experts and innovators who are helping shape the future of mining in Botswana and beyond. Their conversations reveal an industry that recognises both the challenges and opportunities ahead, while demonstrating a collective commitment to building a more resilient, diversified and sustainable mining sector.
We extend our sincere appreciation to our sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, delegates, government partners and everyone whose support made the Future of Mining Summit 2026 another outstanding success. We hope this special edition preserves those important conversations and continues to inspire meaningful dialogue long after the summit has concluded.
