Alternative Mining Indaba, 9-11 February 2026 Cape Town, South Africa

Pretoria-South Africa February 4, 2026.  

As Cape Town prepares to host Africa’s premier mining gatherings, the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Development (CAISD) is set to make a strategic dual appearance at the 17th Alternative Mining Indaba (AMI), running February 9–11 at St. George’s Cathedral and surrounding sites, and the Investing in African Mining Indaba, February 9–12 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). Taurai Chiraerae, the executive secretary of CAISD articulates that the organisation’s deliberate choice to participate in both events is to “engage both the high-level corporate and policy arena and the grassroots community voices shaping sustainable mining futures on the continent”.

CAISD, a Pretoria-based center leveraging university resources, focuses on harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) to tackle Africa’s sustainable development challenges in sectors including mining, agriculture, governance, and environmental conservation. Its core mission involves research, knowledge transfer across academia, industry, and government, and the development of locally tailored solutions that enhance productivity, economic growth, and inclusive governance. This dual participation reflects a nuanced understanding that sustainable mining progress requires bridging divides: corporate boardrooms driving investment and technological disruption with the lived experiences of mining-affected communities facing environmental degradation, social inequality, and precarious livelihoods.

The Alternative Mining Indaba: Putting Community Voices at the limelight and “Alternative Stories of Mining”

The AMI positions itself as an “open campaign” and workshop-oriented gathering rather than a corporate-style conference. Under the theme “Alternative Stories of Mining,” it convenes a Pan-African network of civil society organisations, community-based groups, academics, faith leaders, and affected residents to strategize on extractive industry impacts. The format emphasises creative expression; exhibitions, performing arts, drama, and interactive sessions to amplify qualitative narratives often overshadowed by industry metrics (Alternative Mining Indaba, 2026). This event will be the intersection of various stakeholders with the rationale that the discussion amongst participants will address challenges that are faced by local communities  in areas where mining activity takes place.