Page 39 - Bullion World Volume 5 Issue 05 May 2025

Bullion World | Volume 5 | Issue 05 | May 2025

{ ESG compliance is now not just a marketing • Gold and PGM Demand Forecasts:
tool but a financial survival necessity. { Gold is projected to retain its safe-
haven appeal due to continued global
• Women in Precious Metals Mining: macroeconomic uncertainty (inflation
{ Representation of women in engineering, concerns, geopolitical tensions).
geology, and management roles remains low { Platinum is expected to regain strong industrial
but improving. demand through the hydrogen economy build-
{ Initiatives were discussed to increase out by the late 2020s.
female participation, including scholarships,
mentorship programs, and gender-focused • Emerging Precious Metals Frontiers:
community investments. o New investment destinations were flagged:
{ Zimbabwe (for platinum and gold) —
• Key Takeaway: regulatory reforms improving investment
{ Mining companies that embed sustainability appeal.
at the core of operations — not as an { Mozambique and Ethiopia — seen as
afterthought — will be best positioned for the promising frontiers for gold exploration.
next decade.
• Final Panel Takeaways:
Thursday, February 6, 2025 – Long-Term Strategy { Africa must capture more value from its
and Closing Reflections precious metals wealth by building local
Theme: Strategic Partnerships for Future Precious refining, manufacturing, and technology
Metals Growth sectors.
• Building Strategic Alliances: { Mining must serve as a springboard for
• Governments and private sector leaders broader economic transformation, not just
agreed on the need for: resource extraction.
• Stable mining policies to attract global
investments.
• Speeding up permit approvals.
• Supporting downstream industries to add
value to mined precious metals (e.g., jewelry
fabrication, hydrogen economy components,
and advanced catalysts).

Overall Summary and Outlook
9 Gold mining continues to dominate African investments, but resilient ESG
practices are essential to unlock modern financing and consumer trust.

9 Platinum group metals (PGMs) are fast becoming critical for the green transition,
especially linked to hydrogen energy solutions.
9 Silver benefits heavily from the renewable energy boom, but its fortunes are

closely tied to geopolitical trade flows (especially U.S. solar policies).
9 Local beneficiation and strategic partnerships are the future — Africa’s wealth in
precious metals must translate into manufacturing strength and sustainable jobs.
9 The 2025 Mining Indaba painted a picture of cautious optimism: while challenges
persist, the future of precious metals mining in Africa looks brighter if backed by

collaboration, innovation, and ESG excellence.

39