Africa’s mining industry is entering a new phase in which reliable power is no longer the only infrastructure priority shaping the competitiveness of mining operations. Water security, rehabilitation, financing and broader infrastructure resilience are increasingly becoming part of the same strategic equation.
The changing landscape is examined in ESI Africa’s Powering Mines & Industry Volume, which brings together industry analysis and practical perspectives on the infrastructure requirements influencing mining operations across the continent.
Published by ESI Africa, part of VUKA Group, the volume explores technologies, strategies and partnerships supporting energy security, water management and long-term operational resilience.
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For energy-intensive mines, reliable and affordable electricity remains fundamental to productivity and competitiveness. But growing pressure around water availability, rehabilitation responsibilities and infrastructure limitations is expanding the scope of decisions that mining companies must make throughout the operational lifecycle.
Water is becoming particularly important as mining operations seek ways to manage supply risks while improving efficiency. Rehabilitation and water reuse can form part of longer-term strategies to reduce pressure on resources and strengthen operational resilience.
ESI Africa is examining these issues through a series of industry discussions. One webinar focuses on “Powering Zimbabwe’s mines: Closing the energy gap, enabling energy continuity and cost certainty,” bringing mining and energy stakeholders together to examine investment, partnerships and policy frameworks.
Another session, “From pit to plant: Scalable mine water rehabilitation and reuse,” examines approaches to managing mine water throughout the operational lifecycle, while “From water risk to water resilience” looks at practical strategies for organisations seeking to move from identifying water-supply risks toward implementing resilience measures.
Zimbabwe provides a particularly relevant setting for the relationship between energy and mining. The C&I Energy + Storage Summit Zimbabwe will take place on November 17, 2026, at Rainbow Towers in Harare alongside Zimbabwe Mining Week.
The one-day summit will bring together mining companies, energy users, developers, investors, policymakers and technology providers to examine renewable energy, energy storage, project development, financing, cost management and secure power supply.
For Zimbabwe and other mineral-producing economies, dependable infrastructure is closely linked to the ability to develop mineral resources consistently and competitively. Energy projects, storage solutions and new financing models can therefore become important components of mining development strategies.
Financing remains another critical part of the equation. The Project & Investment Network, in partnership with the African Infrastructure Elites annual magazine, connects project owners with investors, financiers and solution providers working across Africa’s power, energy and infrastructure sectors.
The platform is designed to help move projects from opportunity toward implementation by connecting infrastructure needs with potential sources of capital, expertise and delivery capacity.
Across Africa, infrastructure developers are also working on projects in power, water, transport and mining that address operational challenges and introduce new technologies. The African Infrastructure Elites: Projects and People annual magazine highlights projects, partnerships and leaders contributing to infrastructure development across the continent.
The broader message emerging from the Powering Mines & Industry programme is that mining resilience increasingly depends on how different infrastructure systems work together.
Electricity, water, transport, technology and finance are interconnected. Strengthening these systems can help mining operations manage changing costs and environmental pressures while supporting continued investment and industrial development.
The conversation will continue through the next Powering Mines & Industry Volume, which will examine infrastructure, operational and investment solutions affecting mining and commercial and industrial energy markets.
ESI Africa is also preparing to participate in Mining Indaba 2027, scheduled for February 8–11 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, where mining, energy and infrastructure leaders from across Africa are expected to meet.
As Africa continues developing its mineral resources, the infrastructure supporting mines is becoming an increasingly important part of the continent’s broader industrial and economic story.
