The 2026 Africa Down Under conference has once again confirmed its status as one of Australia's major mining gatherings, with packed crowds attending the three-day event in Perth. The conference drew more than 1,500 attendees, 18 African government delegations, and more than 40 ASX-listed companies, painting a clear picture of the African mining sector's recovery.

In his opening address, Matt Thistlethwaite, Australia's assistant minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and assistant minister for Immigration, noted that more than 170 Australian companies are working across African nations across a broad range of sectors, with investments exceeding $60 billion.

"Right now, Africa is poised for significant growth: in its population, in its economies, in its development," Mr Thistlethwaite told the opening day audience.

"Its role in the world is shifting fast, whether that be as a partner of trade, investment, development or peace and security.

"But keenest of all is Africa's coming role in the global transition to clean energy.

"We know that manufacturing solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, and electric vehicles is heavily reliant on critical minerals like cobalt, lithium, graphite, and rare earths.

"And, as the demand for those minerals begins to soar, the need to develop the critical minerals reserves with which Australia and African nations are endowed is going to be acute."

His remarks reflect the broader backdrop against which the conference has grown: Africa Down Under, launched in Perth in the early 2000s, has become a fixture on the calendar for ASX-listed explorers and developers working on the continent, as well as for African governments seeking to attract Australian capital and expertise.

Presenters and panel members brought a wealth of mineral riches, mining experience and knowledge, giving attendees a unique view of exploration and development activity across Africa.

Zambia stood out early as an area of focus, given its well-known copper endowment. The Central African Copper Belt, which spans Zambia and the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, is one of the world's principal copper-producing regions, and copper's central role in electrification—from power grids to electric vehicles—has kept the metal firmly on the agenda for governments and investors alike. For Prospect Resources (ASX: PSC), Zambia offers the key ingredients for an emerging pure-play copper opportunity: a proven copper belt, highly active neighbours, a pro-mining government, and the potential to develop a prime asset at capital costs significantly lower than competitive jurisdictions such as South America and Europe. The country is attracting growing investment as a result.

Prospect is rapidly advancing its flagship Mumbezhi copper project in the north-west Zambian Copper Belt. The company holds two granted mining licenses across its tenement, placing it on track to begin mining.

"We don't need any additional resources to get this project up," Ian Goldberg, executive director of finance, told a large audience on day one of Africa Down Under.

"The infrastructure in this area is extraordinary. We've got roads, we've got power lines, we've got a town and an airport right close and that means we've got multiple development options."

Mr Goldberg highlighted the benefits of having highly active neighbours that are adding significantly to critical infrastructure in the area surrounding Mumbezhi.

Prospect itself has completed a substantial drilling program, including 27,815 metres over the last two field seasons, lifting the Mumbezhi mineral resource estimate (MRE) to around one million copper equivalent tonnes. He also pointed to the value of by-products at Mumbezhi, with gold and cobalt within the MRE delivering an approximately 0.49% CuEq grade.

These figures will feature in a scoping study the company plans to publish early next year as the next major step in commercialising what it describes as a high-class asset. The study will be a key milestone for investors to watch, as it is expected to set out the project's development options, indicative capital requirements and economics—information that will shape how Prospect progresses Mumbezhi toward a mine development decision.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult a certified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.