MI2025 – Future-proofing African Mining Communities

As the world turns to Africa to help meet the high demand for minerals, the industry needs to ensure that mining operations consider their local communities. For this, The Impact Facility partnered with Mining Indaba to invite mining community members, representatives of indigenous peoples in mining areas, civil society organisations, activists and visionaries to share their perspective on what is needed to ensure an equitable, inclusive and responsible mining sector that serves as an engine for community development with the goal of transforming minerals wealth into lasting, multi-generational prosperity. This is part of the ambition to help ensure that collectively, we can future-proof the African mining industry, together.

The largest mining conference in Africa, Mining Indaba is a key event for professionals, investors, and industry leaders seeking to tap into Africa’s mining opportunities. Since 1994, it has focused on promoting economic growth and sustainability, providing a premier platform for networking, deal-making, and discussions on technology, sustainability, and investment in African mining.

Together with Mining Indaba, we were able to provide complimentary tickets to the other contestants that expressed interest in joining the event.

All of their videos can be found on The Impact Facility YouTube Channel.

Omaojor Ogedoh – Executive Director Ziva Communities, Nigeria

Omaojor Ogedoh is a Development and Policy Expert with over 9 years of experience in the Extractive Sector in Nigeria. He is the Executive Director of Ziva Community Initiative, a Non-Governmental Organization based in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. Ogedoh possesses a vast knowledge of grassroots mobilisation, sensitisation, and engagement, especially in conflict and insecure zones with multidisciplinary teams. 
Ogedoh has worked closely with local and international partner organisations and has successfully managed several donor funds, such as the Ford Foundation, African Centre for Energy Policy, Open Society Foundation, Christian Aid, United Nations Development Programmes, etc. He has a penchant for security, especially in the mineral-rich zones of Nigeria. 

He belongs to the Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI) CSO Strategic Working Group and the Nigerian Natural Resource Governance Group. He has been involved in several policy research like the West Africa Chatter on Gender Mainstreaming in the Geo-Extractive Sector. Ogedoh holds a Masters Degree in Criminology and Security Studies, Masters in Strategy and Security Administration, Master of Philosophy in Defense and Security Studies, and is currently doing his PhD in Defense and Strategic Studies.

Panel contribution at Mining Indaba

Omaojor will be one of the speakers at Mining Indaba on a panel titled: Disruption required – time for a new deal with local communities?
Date: Tuesday 04 February, 2024
Find him on LinkedIn here

Faith Mutete – Founder and CEO Women in Mining, Zimbabwe

Faith Mutete is the Founder and CEO of Women in Mining Zimbabwe (WIM Zimbabwe) and a passionate small-scale and gemstone miner with firsthand experience in the sector. She combines over 15 years of expertise in public health and community development with her deep understanding of mining challenges to advocate for gender equality, sustainable practices, and economic empowerment in mining communities.

Faith has led transformative initiatives, including capacity-building programs for women miners, campaigns to combat child labor, and efforts to promote Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance. She is a proud recipient of the AWE Award by the U.S. Embassy and the global Women in Mining 100 Award, which recognizes her as one of the top women leaders in the mining sector.

Committed to fostering sustainable mining, Faith aims to ensure the industry contributes to equitable growth while empowering women and protecting the environment for future generations.

Panel contribution at Mining Indaba

Faith will be one of the speakers at Mining Indaba on a panel titled: What needs to change to harness the full potential of ASM?
Date: Tuesday 04 February, 2024
Find her on LinkedIn here

Sonwabo Modimoeng  – Executive Lead Faded Black Innovations, South Africa

Sonwabo Modimoeng, is a Social Entrepreneur and CEO of Faded Black Innovations. My areas of focus are Community development, Social Enterprise Development, Project Management and Community Wealth Building. Faded Black Innovations is an Award winning NPO with a mission that is centered on empowering Civic organisations to achieve self-sufficiency through innovative social enterprises. We believe in the power of social entrepreneurship to elevate communities, create sustainable economic opportunities, and drive long-term positive change. Sonwabo was chosen as one of the News 24 Visionaries’ 2019, he was also awarded Job creation award by Proudly South African in 2021 and CSI- Legacy Awards – Best Social Entrepreneur award in 2022.

Panel contribution at Mining Indaba

Sonwabo will be one of the speakers at Mining Indaba on a panel titled: The communities we leave behind: mine closure
Date: Tuesday 04 February, 2024
Find him on LinkedIn here

Kgomotso Mokone – Student Leader Wits University, South Africa

Kgomotso Mokone is a 23-year-old undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Mining Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. Her interest in the mining industry was sparked during a field trip to a diamond mine, where she found it fascinating to imagine natural processes yielding such precious resources. This experience ignited a curiosity that ultimately led her to pursue mining engineering.

Kgomotso currently serves as the Gender and Transformation Officer for the Mining Engineering Students Council (MESC). The council is dedicated to fostering academic excellence, promoting opportunities for student development, and cultivating a culture of collaboration and leadership. Being part of a team that enhances student exposure to the mining industry while championing inclusivity and transformation is a highly rewarding milestone in her journey.

As part of this community voices initiative, the contestants will also be taking part in a workshop titled Future-proofing Communities, where key themes related to economic prosperity in mining communities will be explored.

Date: Wednesday, February 5th
Time: 09:30 – 11:00
Location: CTICC2

Themes for discussion

• Stakeholder perspectives: Unpacking what future-proofing communities means and does not mean from varying stakeholder perspectives.
• Realistic or myth: Is it realistic and achievable to have alternative sustainable livelihoods outside mining for mining communities, particularly those whose economic driver is mainly mining?
• Critical success factors: What would it really take to future-proof communities? Including critical success factors and the sustainability of potential opportunities outside of mining.
• Leadership reflection: Reflecting and engaging on who should take the lead in the effort to future-proof communities
• Actionable steps: Sharing current activities that show potential and could make a difference if scaled

More information about the session is available here

Please get in touch with us if you have any questions regarding this initiative or would like to help us increase our work around amplifying voices from mining communities and indigenous peoples affected by mining operations.

For questions, contact us at: [email protected]