At Mining Indaba, International Copper Association (ICA) CEO Juan Ignacio Diaz concluded a panel discussion focused on strengthening partnerships across Africa’s major copper-producing regions and advancing responsible critical minerals development.
The discussion underscored a central message: collaboration and transparency are essential to maintaining the future balance of the global copper market as demand continues to accelerate.
During the panel, Juan Ignacio emphasized Africa’s strategic importance to global copper supply, noting that the continent is not an alternative source of copper, but an indispensable pillar of the global copper system. With electrification, digitalisation, urbanisation, artificial intelligence, and the energy transition driving long-term structural demand growth, copper has become increasingly central to the global economy.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia were highlighted as home to some of the world’s largest, highest-grade, and fastest-growing copper operations, positioning the region as foundational to future supply growth.
ICA also recognized the investments being made across the region by member companies including CMOC, Glencore, Gold Mountains Asset Management Ltd., and Ivanhoe Mines in support of long-term supply resilience and responsible production.
Panel discussions also explored how material decisions are increasingly shaped not only by cost, but by factors such as performance, circularity, reliability, carbon footprint, traceability, and responsible sourcing.
A key conclusion from the session was that strong partnerships among producers, governments, and civil society will be critical to ensuring Africa can continue to lead in responsible critical minerals production while delivering long-term economic and community benefits.
