The 2026 Mining Indaba theme, “Stronger Together: Progress Through Partnerships,” resonates deeply with the purpose and charter of the Women in Platinum Group Metals (WiPGMs) Association. Founded in 2019, WiPGMs has developed into a network of more than 200 members, united by a shared vision of inclusivity, innovation, and sustainability across the global platinum group metals (PGM) sector.
As the association approaches its seventh anniversary in May 2026, it stands as a transformative force ensuring that women not only participate but lead in shaping the future of PGMs. With over 70% of primary platinum supply—and an even greater share of other PGMs—sourced from southern Africa, WiPGMs is committed to strengthening its presence across the region and amplifying the vital role of women in Africa’s mining future.
Building a Global Movement
At its core, WiPGMs embodies the principle of stronger together. Women working across the PGM value chain—from exploration, mining and refining to trading, research, and fabrication—are empowered to connect, collaborate, and lead. Membership continues to grow year on year, supported by an expanding global footprint through facilitated events hosted in each of Cape Town, London, Vienna, Singapore, Shenzhen, and New York.
These events and gatherings provide platforms for vital knowledge-sharing, mentorship, and innovation, bridging local expertise with global perspectives in each major PGM hub. They also highlight how diverse voices and inclusive leadership can strengthen the industry’s resilience and long-term growth.
Partnerships as Catalysts for Change
The success of WiPGMs is driven by strong partnerships across the value chain as industry sponsors collaborate to support the association’s development and fulfil its founding purpose. Key partners—including Johnson Matthey, Valterra Platinum, Metallix, Auramet, and more recently Sabin, a US family-owned business—along with governance support from the London Platinum Palladium Association, have both amplified WiPGMs’ reach and impact while also lending significant authority due to the relevance, scope and scale of our sponsors.
These collaborations demonstrate the transformative power of partnerships, representing a tangible example of how business and associations can work together to deliver meaningful and enduring change.
A standout initiative has been the cross-company mentorship programme, developed in partnership with Moving Ahead and co-sponsored by the International Precious Metals Institute (IPMI). In 2023/24, 38 mentees were supported by 32 mentors, with 80% of participants reporting the experience as invaluable and nearly half acknowledging the new confidence gained in their career progression. Building on this success, the 2024/25 programme expanded to 52 mentees and 46 mentors, equipping another cohort of current and future women leaders to navigate the complex operating context of the global PGM sector.
Given the success of the programme we are proud to have launched our third annual programme and look forward to enabling the careers of young female talent and building deeper, wider and stronger global networks.
Driving Innovation and Sustainability
WiPGMs remains at the forefront of driving innovation and sustainable practices. By convening leaders from academia, industry, and government, the association acts as a catalyst for new solutions in green technologies, responsible mining, and market resilience.
At the London 2024 event, AP Ventures chairperson Penny Freer highlighted pioneering investments in green technologies using PGMs, while start-up leaders showcased breakthroughs in sustainable chemical production. These conversations underscore the critical role of women’s leadership and cross-sector partnerships in unlocking both economic opportunities and environmental benefits.
The significant global focus on the sustainable and responsible extraction and use of natural resources results in a myriad of roles and responsibilities for producers and consumers of PGMs and a deep pool of female talent fulfils many specialist roles across this important aspect of the PGM eco system.
Stronger Together in Africa’s Mining Future
For Africa, the Indaba theme carries particular significance. The continent’s mining industry faces growing global challenges—an uncertain macroeconomic outlook, volatile markets, shifting geopolitics, and the urgent need for increased sustainability in business practises. Women, when empowered through networks, mentorship, and leadership opportunities, are uniquely positioned to navigate these pressures and help drive solutions that deliver shared value for key stakeholders across the PGM value chain.
To further strengthen this focus, Emma Townshend has recently joined the WiPGMs board,. Emma will be concentrating particularly on expanding the network’s reach in Africa together with the nascent emerging PGM ecosystem in the Middle East, ensuring that women across the region are empowered, connected and supported to contribute to, and benefit from, the enduring success and sustainability of the PGM sector. This reflects WiPGMs’ commitment to Africa’s mining future and to amplifying women’s voices where the industry has arguably some of its deepest roots.
WiPGMs is ensuring that African women in PGMs are not only included in the conversation but are at the forefront of shaping the future of the sector.
Looking Ahead
As WiPGMs celebrates nearly seven years of growth, it remains committed to building partnerships that foster resilience, innovation, and inclusive leadership. By harnessing the collective strength of its members and allies, the association is laying the foundation for a PGM industry—and a broader African mining sector—that is sustainable, equitable, and future-focused.
Stronger together, women in PGMs are proving that “progress through partnerships” is more than a theme—it is a lived reality shaping Africa’s mining future.