As the junior mining sector comes back into play – and on the back of the success of the 2017 Mining Indaba which, the organiser says, “saw more junior miners in attendance than any other event in Cape Town” – the organiser of the Investing in African Mining Indaba® is taking its commitment to the junior mining sector one step further with the introduction of the Junior Mining Showcase.

The Junior Mining Showcase will provide a dedicated space in the exhibition area for 60 of the most promising junior mining companies currently involved in the exploration and development of African mineral assets. The Showcase will afford delegates the opportunity to meet with only investors, mining companies and other firms involved in deal making like banks and brokers, all in one place.

“As investors rediscover that junior mining companies can deliver superior returns, particularly those who’ve survived the commodities down cycle, Mining Indaba is doing what it does best – bringing together the best in their fields to strike deals and secure investment,” says Alex Grose, Mining Indaba MD.

This is an important and exciting addition to the 2018 program. The feedback received from the launch of the Investment Battlefield for junior miners in 2017 was overwhelmingly positive. Harry Chapman, Director of Content, says, “Our focus for 2017 was to bring the Mining Indaba back to its roots – a strategy that worked, with 71% more investors and 41% more mining companies in attendance. In 2018 we’re making the event more accessible for the junior players in the market.”

VSA Capital, RFC Ambrian and Tamesis Partners LLP have partnered with the Mining Indaba on the Showcase.

Andrew Monk, CEO at VSA explains, “VSA is very excited to be partnering with Mining Indaba in 2018 on the Junior Mining Showcase. We believe that the main Mining Indaba conference is where companies should be if they want to be part of an event that offers the ability to meet investors. Investors want to be at the main conference and we are delighted by the initiatives Mining Indaba are putting in place to ensure that even more investors attend.

“Creating a dedicated area on the exhibition floor for junior miners as well as an innovative platform to pitch their stories is another step in making Mining Indaba the must go-to venue for junior miners. The Showcase is just a “meet and greet” proposition, it will have a principal focus on deal making and closing deals. This is Africa’s largest mining event – juniors can’t afford not to be part of it.”