Mining Indaba 2024 hosts the return of the mining innovation and research battleground

Invest Africa Mining Indaba and Development Partners Institute launch the Mining Innovation and Research Battlefield 2024 for participants; Battlefield is a high-profile platform for innovators and researchers to share their insights into the challenges facing large, small and artisanal mining idea. BHP Xplor sponsors a $25,000 innovation grant to support early-stage innovation and research. Application deadline is November 6th. Shortlisted applicants will be notified on 30 November and pitch rounds will be held online on 14 December 2023 and at the Mining Indaba in Cape Town on 6 February 2024.

Following a hugely successful 2022 edition, the Mining Innovation and Research Battlefield hosted by the Mining Indaba Conference is now open for applicants to submit research proposals for this year’s competition.

The high-profile Innovation and Research Battlefield event on 6 February 2024, hosted by Investing in Africa Mining Indaba and the Development Partnership Institute, will provide participants with a platform to showcase early-stage innovations. Entrants presented their ideas and research proposals to address this year’s challenge: What innovative, responsible collaborations between LSM and ASM are possible, and how can these be applied to a just energy transition?

The Innovation and Research Battlefield accelerates solutions to complex sustainability issues in the resources sector by connecting forward-thinking academics, researchers, the private sector, NGOs and young people to a network of committed organizations and providing opportunities to win research grants New approaches to development challenges.

BHP Xplor sponsors a $25,000 Innovation Grant that will support the recipients to further develop their research. The results of the winning projects will be announced at the Mining Indaba conference in 2025.

Florence Drummond, executive director of DPI Mining, said: “We want to bring together great minds and passionate innovators and young leaders in science, research and mining to foster agile collaboration that connects actionable ideas with financial support to make them a reality. Real change, “bringing about changes that could lead to change in the mining and minerals industry. ”

“This year’s Battlefield Challenge is a key factor shaping the future of the mining industry and Mining Indaba is excited to be a platform that enables innovators across industries to bring creative solutions,” said Laura Cornish, Head of Content at Mining Indaba. World Leadership human audience. ”

The first submission phase is now open, allowing individuals, groups and organizations to submit their innovative solutions and research proposals. Shortlisted contestants will have an exclusive opportunity to pitch virtually in the first round of Battlegrounds. Participants who win in the first round will receive a South African Indaba Mining Representative Card and can present their proposals live in the final round of “battlefields.”

Sheila Khama, former CEO of De Beers Botswana and natural resource policy advisor to the World Bank and African Development Bank, moderated the Innovation and Research Battlefield event. This year’s judging panel includes DPI Mining co-founder and former Anglo American CEO Mark Cutifani, BHP Xplor’s Sonia Scarselli and executives from the artisanal mining industry.

Those interested can apply until November 6, but early applications are encouraged. All applicants must be affiliated with the agency or organization that assists in the administration of the innovation grant awarded.