Reinforcing its role as a strategic partner to the mining sector at a time of rapid transformation across Africa and emerging markets, Zutari will once again take part in African Mining Indaba 2026 from 9 to 12 February at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
Recognised as the continent’s premier platform for shaping mining’s future, Mining Indaba brings together industry leaders, governments, investors, and solution providers to address the sector’s most pressing challenges from infrastructure and energy security to ESG performance and community impact. For Zutari, participation in the 2026 event underscores a clear priority: enabling mining operations that are resilient, sustainable, and socially responsible.
“The Mining Indaba is the premier forum for shaping the future of mining in Africa,” says Gerrit Lok, Managing Director: Resources at Zutari. “For Zutari, it is an opportunity to engage directly with industry leaders, governments, and partners. Our participation in 2026 continues our commitment to driving sustainable, future-ready infrastructure solutions that enable mining companies to thrive while creating lasting value for society.”
A holistic offering through strategic collaboration
At this year’s event, Zutari is partnering with Globe 24-7, combining engineering and infrastructure expertise with specialist human capital and talent solutions. The collaboration reflects the growing need for integrated approaches in mining developments, where people, systems and infrastructure must work seamlessly together.
“Together, we offer mining clients a holistic approach, combining people and infrastructure to deliver resilient, efficient, and socially responsible projects,” explains Lok. “It is a natural fit given mining’s dependence on integrated systems, which includes competent people.”
Addressing Africa’s complex mining challenges
Mining operations across Africa face a unique set of pressures, including energy insecurity, water scarcity, ESG compliance requirements, and rising community expectations. These challenges are often compounded by remote locations and infrastructure gaps.
Zutari’s multidisciplinary capabilities span transport, energy, water, and digital infrastructure, enabling the firm to support mining clients across the full project lifecycle. Through cost-effective design, advanced modelling, digital twins, and collaborative delivery models, Zutari helps reduce risk, accelerate delivery, and optimise long-term operational performance.
“In Africa, infrastructure gaps and remote locations add complexity, making integrated solutions essential,” says Lok. “Our approach ensures infrastructure is not only technically sound but also aligned with long-term operational goals.”
Embedding sustainability and social value
Sustainability is no longer peripheral to mining strategy but is central. Zutari supports clients by embedding environmental and social responsibility from the outset, incorporating renewable energy solutions, circular water systems, biodiversity protection, and community-focused infrastructure into project design.
This philosophy is closely linked to Zutari’s human-centred engineering approach, which prioritises early community engagement and ensures infrastructure delivers benefits beyond the life of the mine.
“We design with people in mind, not just assets,” notes Lok. “By embedding social impact assessments into engineering design, we ensure projects deliver operational efficiency while fostering trust and shared value.”
Engineering the future of mining
As the mining sector responds to ESG requirements and the global energy transition, the role of engineering consultancies is evolving. Zutari sees itself not merely as a technical service provider, but as a strategic partner guiding clients through complex trade-offs between profitability, resilience, and responsibility.
“Future-ready mining is about resilience, adaptability, and sustainability,” says Lok. “It means infrastructure that is flexible, scalable, and aligned with global sustainability goals.” Looking ahead, Zutari’s message is clear: responsible mining and commercial success are not mutually exclusive.
“Zutari engineers impact,” concludes Lok. “Our infrastructure solutions are rooted in sustainability, innovation, and human-centred design. We are committed to helping the sector transition responsibly, ensuring mining remains a driver of economic growth and social progress in Africa.”
