African Mining Week (AMW), the continent’s leading mining industry gathering, is set to shine a spotlight on cutting-edge technology and innovation during its 2025 edition in Cape Town, from October 1 to 3. A highlight of this year’s event will be the Technology Forum, a platform designed to link African mining ventures with global tech firms and investors, showcasing how digital innovations are transforming mineral extraction and streamlining the mining value chain.
As African nations ramp up mineral output to fuel economic growth, many developers are turning to digital tools and data analytics to enhance operational performance. Among the latest entrants into Africa’s digital mining scene is U.S. firm KoBold Metals, which uses artificial intelligence to aid mineral exploration. The company began operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in April 2025, targeting the nation’s vast untapped mineral wealth estimated at $24 trillion. With KoBold’s entry, the DRC—already a top global supplier of cobalt and copper—stands to gain further prominence in the mining world. KoBold is also spearheading development at the $2 billion Mingomba copper project in Zambia, a site considered one of the most valuable undeveloped copper resources globally.
Elsewhere, mining companies are embracing digitalisation to enhance efficiency and increase production. In Zimbabwe, Caledonia Mining is investing $1.1 million in IT system upgrades at the Blanket Mine as part of its broader $41.8 million capital expenditure. This includes deploying mine planning software and a digital attendance system to streamline workforce management, with the aim of boosting gold production from 76,656 ounces in 2024 to as much as 77,500 ounces in 2025.
Botswana is also seeing technological advancements in its mining sector. Botswana Diamonds has adopted AI-powered exploration techniques to diversify its operations beyond diamonds. The company recently identified new prospects for a range of minerals including copper, gold, cobalt, nickel, silver, zinc, and platinum group metals. Chairman John Teeling noted that the AI software revealed hidden opportunities within their vast geological data, opening doors to previously unidentified resources.
In South Africa, industry giants like Kilken Platinum and Rio Tinto are integrating advanced digital systems to boost productivity and safety. A report by Accenture and the World Economic Forum forecasts that digital technologies could unlock up to R213 billion in additional value for South Africa’s mining sector by 2026. Innovations such as real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and autonomous operations are helping reduce operational risks and downtime, while increasing sustainability.
The Technology Forum at AMW 2025 will bring together industry leaders, tech experts, and investors to discuss how digitalisation is redefining mining infrastructure, boosting safety standards, and enabling predictive resource management. Attendees can expect panel sessions, knowledge-sharing opportunities, and presentations of practical case studies demonstrating the impact of technology on mining operations.
African Mining Week will run concurrently with African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025, cementing Cape Town’s role as a hub for energy and mineral investment discussions on the continent.