The Geological Society of South Africa (GSSA), in partnership with Electra Mining Africa, will launch a new student competition at this year's event aimed at identifying and developing the next generation of mineral exploration leaders.

Titled ‘The Explorers' Pitch’, the initiative will take place at Electra Mining Africa on Monday afternoon, 7 September 2026 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Nasrec. It offers university students an opportunity to develop and present real-world exploration concepts while competing for funding, industry recognition and valuable professional exposure.

Designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry, the programme will challenge students to think beyond technical geology by developing and defending an exploration proposal that demonstrates both scientific merit and commercial viability.

"The Explorers' Pitch is designed to expose students to the realities of modern mineral exploration, where technical expertise must be combined with commercial thinking and effective communication," says Noleen Pauls, President of the GSSA. 

"The future of our industry depends on professionals who can identify geological opportunities and clearly demonstrate their value to potential investors and decision-makers."

Unlike traditional academic competitions, teams will be required to develop a realistic exploration proposal for a South African project. Participants must identify a geological opportunity, justify an exploration programme, develop a realistic capital and operating budget, and demonstrate the value their proposed work could create.

Where Geology Meets Investment Thinking
Teams of three students will submit written proposals ahead of the event, with the top three teams selected to present live during Electra Mining Africa in the Seminar Theatre. Finalists will present their concepts to a panel of industry experts in a Dragon’s Den-style format, defending both the technical and commercial merits of their proposals. Each team will have 15 minutes to present, followed by 15 minutes of questions from a multidisciplinary judging panel comprising experienced geologists, mining professionals, financial specialists and industry leaders.

Following the presentations, the judges will deliberate before providing feedback and announcing the winning team. Finalists will also participate in a coaching session prior to the event to help them prepare for the presentation process.

"This initiative gives students a valuable opportunity to experience the kind of scrutiny and decision-making that exploration professionals encounter throughout their careers," says Pauls. 

"By integrating geology, finance and communication skills, the challenge reflects the multidisciplinary nature of modern mineral exploration."

Participants will gain practical experience in developing exploration concepts, integrating geological and financial thinking, communicating with industry decision-makers and responding to technical and commercial questions.

Beyond the prize money, The Explorers' Pitch aims to showcase the talent and innovation of South Africa's future geoscientists while providing an authentic insight into how exploration projects are evaluated, prioritised and funded.

With R10,000 in prize money, industry exposure and expert feedback on offer, the initiative is expected to become a valuable platform for emerging professionals and a highlight of Electra Mining Africa.

Students from geoscience, mining, finance and related disciplines are encouraged to begin assembling their teams and preparing their proposals.

For further details, including submission guidelines, CLICK HERE 
For the Seminar Theatre Programme, CLICK HERE