As Deputy Minister, Mohai supports the monitoring and evaluation of government performance and the implementation of national development priorities, making his participation particularly timely as South Africa advances reforms to strengthen the competitiveness of its mining sector. AMW provides an important platform for Mohai to engage with industry leaders on policy implementation, investment priorities and strategies to improve mining's contribution to economic growth, employment, energy security and industrial development.

At AMW, Mohai is expected to share insights into South Africa's progress in advancing its mining agenda while exchanging best practices with regional counterparts on strengthening governance, attracting investment and aligning mining development with broader economic objectives.

His participation comes as South Africa targets increasing mining's contribution to 12% of GDP by 2030. The sector contributed R439.2 billion to GDP in 2025, representing 5.8% of the economy, highlighting significant opportunities to unlock additional growth through exploration, infrastructure development and value addition.

The country is also pursuing ambitious exploration goals, including attracting R2 trillion in private investment to expand its critical minerals industry and unlock an estimated R40 trillion in untapped iron ore resources. Earlier this year, the Junior Miners Exploration Fund reached R600 million, supported by a R300 million contribution from Anglo American, with 14 exploration projects already benefiting. As South Africa seeks to maintain its global leadership in platinum group metals and chrome production, effective planning, performance monitoring and policy execution will remain critical to achieving these objectives.

Meanwhile, government reforms are improving the investment climate. South Africa aims to migrate all nine provinces onto a new online mining cadastre by March 2027, providing investors with more transparent access to geological data and mining rights. Across the logistics sector, government is targeting an increase in annual rail freight volumes from approximately 180 million tons to 250 million tons by 2030, supporting greater exports of coal, bulk minerals and critical minerals.

These reforms will be a key focus at AMW 2026, where Mohai will participate in keynote addresses, high-level panel discussions and exclusive networking sessions, providing updates on South Africa's mining reforms and outlining the government's vision for accelerating sustainable sector growth.