Mining giant Anglo American has announced plans to strengthen its commitment to support the growth of South Africa’s mining sector and advance Africa’s role in the global critical minerals supply chain by establishing the Global Critical Minerals Institute.
Anglo American CEO Duncan Wanblad told a conference in Cape Town on Monday that the institute would bring together higher institutions in South Africa, the UK and other global centers of excellence to collaborate on critical mineral research.
“Exploration is the lifeblood of the mining industry and where the next chapter of opportunity lies,” Mr Wanblad said. “We want to contribute to South Africa’s challenge of empowering the next generation of miners while maximizing the country’s mining potential.”
OneBlood also announced that it has committed R600 million to support South Africa’s Junior Miners Exploration Fund.
“The metals and minerals beneath our feet will determine whether we can build a better future for generations to come,” he added.
Promoting Africa’s mining capacity
Anglo American’s contribution will be part of a broader expansion of exploration investment in South Africa. Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe said the Junior Exploration Fund had so far secured commitments of R2 billion from partners. Mantashe said eight junior mining projects have already received funding and several are progressing towards production.
As global demand for critical minerals accelerates, Anglo American’s support has the potential to strengthen Africa’s ability to capitalize on rising demand, while driving job creation and value addition across the mining value chain.
The announcement comes amid rapidly increasing demand for copper and iron ore, two core commodities in Anglo American’s portfolio. According to S&P Global, demand for copper is expected to increase by up to 50% by 2050, with data centers alone expected to require 40 million tonnes of copper by 2040, equivalent to an additional 1 million tonnes of annual supply.
“More iron ore will be needed to replace aging infrastructure, and more copper will be needed to electrify the economy and support defense capabilities and the power community,” Wanblad said. “China’s plan to invest $5.1 billion in power grid upgrades over the next 10 years highlights the scale of future demand.”
Enhance regional value while positioning Africa as a global supplier
This research initiative also aims to advance Africa’s development goals alongside global supply ambitions.
“Developed countries consume about 250 tonnes of minerals per person, while the global average is about 70 tonnes,” Wangblad said. “Africa’s minerals must support Africa’s development, just as they support growth elsewhere. Wealth below ground must be linked to jobs, economic growth and environmental sustainability above ground.”
He called for deeper partnerships between mining companies and governments, including cooperation on energy generation to support broader economic development, agriculture and long-term post-mining sustainability. Wanblad pointed out that in South Africa’s Northern Cape, Anglo American’s Kumbula operation is already converting mining land to high-value agricultural uses.
Continental growth priorities
Mr Wanblad outlined several priorities for Africa to attract investment while unlocking its critical mineral potential. He stressed that cooperation is not optional, but mandatory, as no country or region has all the necessary minerals and processing capacity.
He pointed to the adoption of the Critical Minerals Framework at the recent G20 Summit (hosted by South Africa in 2025) and the African Union’s Green Strategy as important advances, and highlighted the Lobito Corridor as an example of how cross-border partnerships can unlock growth.
“Africa is now moving from policy intent to project implementation,” Wangblad said, calling on governments to consolidate power pools, harmonize regulations and accelerate the rollout of regional infrastructure corridors.
He added that while value addition remains important, infrastructure corridors must be strategically planned and economically viable to unlock Africa’s mineral value chains.
