NEW MASCOT The honey badger was chosen because "no creature better embodies the qualities that define mining and industry: toughness, resilience, adaptability and innovation in the face of challenge - the honey badger never backs down, and neither does the mining and industrial sector".
Biennial tradeshow Electra Mining Africa 2026 will introduce a host of new features, including a brand new Orange Zone area that will be situated in the Arena at the Expo Centre, more theme days, and a new mascot.
Electra Mining organisers Montgomery Group Africa portfolio director Charlene Hefer explains that, because there was insufficient outside space for exhibitors in 2024, opening up this space for a new zone will accommodate those additional exhibitors who want to exhibit outside. "This adds to the existing Red, Blue, Green and Yellow Zones outside."
She notes that new exhibitors in the Orange Zone will include equipment providers GHM Machinery, All Terrain Equipment, Alpin, Eickhoff, Drilling Mining and Construction and Kappa Engineering.
Expanding on the appeal to equipment providers, Hefer points out that many of the "yellow metal exhibitors" that exhibited in 2024 have retained their space in other outside exhibit areas.
"The new Orange Zone provides the additional space needed to accommodate additional yellow metal exhibitors. The focus will also be on dealers and distributors who sell, service and provide spare parts for this equipment, and aftermarket suppliers that provide replacement components, attachments, or maintenance services for yellow metal machinery. However, this will not exclude other exhibitors who are interested in outside space."
The 2026 event will host more original-equipment manufacturers than at previous shows, says Hefer. "This level of representation benefits visitors as they will be able to view, compare and evaluate these offerings all in one place. Montgomery Group Africa's goal is to grow this sector with Electra Mining Africa becoming the 'Home of OEM's'."
Meanwhile, the Electra Mining theme days allow exhibitors to "get creative" and launch products or plan something that is engaging, and theme-day aligned, at their stands.
For example, Hefer notes that Electra Mining changes up its registration areas and hands out "small fun gifts to the first 300 visitors each day". She notes that people attend Electra Mining to learn, connect, explore new and innovative solutions, and to have some fun.
Consequently, the seminar topics are mostly aligned to the theme day topics, which also allows the event organisers to adjust and renew the focus, despite the overall exhibition remaining the same for the duration of the show.
"The theme days reflect many of the different sectors within Electra Mining Africa, and we have partnerships in place with the associations and industry bodies that represent these. We are in conversations with additional organisations, but these are not finalised as yet. We are engaging with SA Tourism to bring them on board for the 2026 show."
Other key partners include the South African Capital Equipment Export Council, and thus, the Department of Trade Industry and Competition, albeit indirectly; and the SA Institution of Mechanical Engineering (SAIMechE), with Montgomery Group Africa in talks with numerous universities and colleges regarding the SAIMechE Career and Skills Hub.
"Our outreach also extends to the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources," says Hefer.
Mascot & Charitable Partnerships
Another new addition is Electra Mining's new mascot: "a Honey Badger, perfectly kitted out for his mining and industrial adventures!"
Hefer notes that the honey badger was chosen because "no creature better embodies the qualities that define mining and industry: toughness, resilience, adaptability and innovation in the face of challenge - the honey badger never backs down, and neither does the mining and industrial sector".
She avers that the new mascot symbolises the drive and ingenuity that push mining and industry forward, even in the most demanding environments. "Fearless innovation. Relentless progress. That's the honey badger - and that's the spirit of Electra Mining Africa."
Moreover, Electra Mining has partnered with K9 Project Watchdog/ SANParks Honorary Rangers as the trade show's official charity. K9 Project Watchdog is a national project of the SANParks Honorary Rangers, supporting the SANParks K9 anti-poaching units. These specialised teams are key to the fight against poaching and help protect endangered wildlife, tracking poachers and safeguarding the national parks.
K9 Project Watchdog/ SANParks Honorary Rangers' dogs and their handlers will be at Electra Mining Africa for the duration of the show managing the visitor catalogue sales, and all monies collected will be donated to K9 Project Watchdog/ SANParks Honorary Rangers.
K9 Project Watchdog/ SANParks Honorary Rangers merchandise will also be available for purchase at the visitor catalogue kiosks, and an auction of a highly exclusive K9/Honorary Rangers experience has been planned.
"Electra Mining views the partnership with the K9 units as part of its corporate social investment efforts, positioning itself and the broader Electra Mining community as protectors of both people and nature," Hefer concludes.