By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
12 February 2026- The North West MEC for Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane said is advancing its investment attraction programme at the 2026 Investing in African Mining Indaba, where a series of bilateral engagements yielded tangible outcomes and culminated in the several strategic investment opportunities towards industrialization. Lenkopane said the province’s participation reflects a deliberate effort to chart a new path for investment that places communities at the centre of economic activity and ensures that local beneficiaries play an active and meaningful role in the provincial economy.
During the Indaba, Lenkopane and Head of Department (HOD), Relebohile Mofokane has
been engaging industry leaders, investors and partners across the exhibition floor, usingevery interaction to profile the North West as a competitive and investment ready province. Lenkopane’s walkabout through the exhibition hall created opportunities for continuous dialogue with mining companies, technology innovators, financiers, and other role players, while also
showcasing the depth of investment opportunities at the North West exhibition stall.
“These engagements highlighted district level strengths and emphasised the province’s
readiness to welcome transformative investment. We also held several strategic meetings with investors and partners.
“Day one included fruitful engagements with Glencore Empire Investment Bank, Shaanxi Non-Ferrous Metals Group, Valterra Platinum, Sibanye-Stillwater and Limpopo Provincial Government. Day two consisted of bilateral’s with Glencore, Free State Provincial Givernemnt and many others which are actively working with the department to advance economic interests,” she said.
Lenkopane further said the sessions
explored investment prospects in mineral beneficiation, manufacturing, renewable energy,
agro-processing, and community development initiatives. She added that through these engagements, she reinforced that the North West is land ready, infrastructure ready, SEZ ready and Special
Purpose Vehicle (SPV) ready, with a portfolio of opportunities geared toward job creation,economic diversification, and inclusive local growth.
“A notable feature of the first day was a high-level bilateral meeting with Glencore CEO,
Jappie Fullard. During this bilateral and others, parties reaffirmed their commitment tostrengthening collaboration, expanding the province’s investment pipeline, and advancing the development of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
“The discussions underscored a shared vision to promote local industrial participation and ensure that mining related investments and
post mining economic plans and environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria bring
direct benefits to communities across the province,” said Lenkopane.
She emphasised the significance of the province’s mission at the Indaba, noting that DEDECT is actively reshaping the investment landscape to open new opportunities for local stakeholders. Lenkopane highlighted that this platform creates unmatched opportunities for the province to foster strategic investment partnerships, drive local market expansion, beneficiation, explore post mining opportunities and secure long-term sustainable growth within the province.
“With over 1,400 mining companies, 1,300 investors, and more than 300 exhibitors, this is the
premier platform where deals are made and where both power and capital converge, creating
unmatched opportunities for strategic partnerships, market expansion, and long-term
sustainable growth.
“We further highlighted that the province is committed to building partnerships that drive
sustainable development and broaden economic participation,” she said.
Lenkopane said through deliberate investment, facilitation, the department is laying the groundwork for communities, cooperatives, SMMEs,
and local suppliers to participate more fully in the province’s economic value chains.
“As the Mining Indaba continues, the North West delegation remains focused on attracting investment, expanding opportunities, promoting local beneficiation and positioning the province as a destination where every investment opportunity translates into real, measurable
development on the ground,” she said.
The Guardian 