By Sharon Mdaka
Electra Mining Africa 2026 will take place at Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec, from 7 to 11 September 2026. This year’s exhibition introduces the new Orange Zone outdoor exhibition space, increasing capacity to accommodate more than 1 000 exhibitors.
Electra Mining Africa is set to take place this September in Nasrec.
Held every two years, Electra Mining Africa (EMA) is one of Africa’s largest mining, industrial, electrical and power trade shows. The 2026 edition will showcase advanced technologies including AI, automation, mechanisation and digital tools, alongside a packed programme of workshops, seminars and live demonstrations.
The five-day event will feature themed days focused on Future Skills and Careers, Automation, Sustainability and Energy and Women in Mining and Engineering. Thousands of visitors and exhibitors are expected to attend, with networking opportunities, machinery demonstrations and insights into the latest safety and productivity innovations.
Joining this year’s programme is the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM), which will curate the Seminar Theatre programme, including topics and speakers. “As part of its commitment to delivering high-value, free-to-attend content, the SAIMM will host the Seminar Theatre, reinforcing its role as a technical partner and creating opportunities for professional engagement around key industry themes,” said Montgomery Group Africa portfolio director Charlene Hefer.
Workshops will also be hosted by the Society for Automation, Instrumentation, Mechatronics and Computer Engineering (SAIMC), the Lifting Equipment Engineering Association of South Africa (LEEASA) and Women in Mining South Africa (WiMSA).
The WiMSA workshop, taking place on the morning of 10 September 2026, will focus on leadership, skills development and career growth for women in mining. The half-day programme will include keynote addresses, panel discussions and networking opportunities aimed at strengthening women’s participation and influence across the industry.
“Attendees can look forward to an inspiring keynote address from a prominent leader in the sector, along with various engaging presentations from industry experts covering topics related to women’s advancement, leadership, skills development and career growth in mining,” explained Hefer.
The South African Institution of Mechanical Engineering (SAIMechE) will host the SAIMechE Skills and Career Hub throughout the event, promoting collaboration between academia and industry in response to growing demand for skills development and educational engagement.
“EMA will unveil several exciting additions in 2026, among them a new outside exhibit area located in the Arena at the Expo Centre, the new Orange Zone. The Orange Zone complements the existing Red, Blue, Green and Yellow Zones, creating an even more dynamic outdoor showcase,” said Hefer.
Electra Mining Africa 2024 surpassed previous records in terms of the
number of exhibitors, exhibition space, and number of visitors.
According to organisers, the expanded outdoor exhibition area will feature global and local OEMs, component suppliers and service providers spanning the full mining and industrial equipment value chain.
“The new Orange Zone allows us to accommodate more companies looking to showcase large-scale equipment and innovations outdoors. It also enables greater participation from original equipment manufacturers, giving visitors a valuable opportunity to view, compare and evaluate a broader range of solutions,” she added.
Among the technologies on display will be CNC simulation server automation software, industrial sensing and monitoring systems, AI-powered collision avoidance technology, and digitally enabled power solutions designed for mining and petrochemical operations.
Other innovations include network terminal slice computing technology, which shifts computing from centralised servers to device-level processing to improve speed, efficiency and resilience in industrial environments.
The event has also partnered with the K9 Project Watchdog, part of the SANParks Honorary Rangers, as the exhibition’s charity partner. Visitors will be able to donate R50 during registration to support SANParks K9 anti-poaching units.
In addition to the exhibitions, visitors can attend free seminars, panel discussions and workshops focused on sustainability, automation and safety, among others.
Visitors can register for free standard access at www.electramining.co.za.
An upgraded visitor package is also available at R600 per person per day, or R2 000 per person for the full week