Cape Town is almost out of water and Day Zero – the day the city’s taps will be turned off – is currently scheduled for April 16.

Mining Indaba organisers revealed they have been consulting with local government and considered moving this year’s event.

“After much consideration, it was agreed to keep the event in Cape Town as it attracts significant investment to the local economy – conservatively estimated at around 700 million rand over the past 10 years,” Mining Indaba managing director Alex Grose said.

Reminders to save water are everywhere, on the aerobridge as you step off the plane and into the airport, in hotels and in bright neon light displays on the city’s streets.

Mining Indaba is putting measures in place to help save water and offset the event’s water use.

Materials will be distributed to the more than 4200 delegates expected in attendance, tea and coffee servings will be limited and Kal Tire has signed on as a water sponsor with three quarters of the event’s water to come from a private company with a natural spring outside Cape Town.

Organisers have also partnered with Gift of the Givers to donate money and bottled water to people most in need.

“For the event, water conservation and reduction methods have taken a priority,” Grose said.

“Reducing consumption is vital, but we also want to offset our water consumption during our stay in the city, and to give our delegates the opportunity to do the same.”

The 2018 Mining Indaba theme is Providing the foundation for sustainable junior and major mining growth in Africa and will set the stage for mining companies, investors, governments and media to make valuable connections, learn from experts and gain industry insight.

As part of that, the event has launched the Junior Mining Showcase, a dedicated, deal-making zone with more than 60 junior miners to compete with the increasingly popular 121 Mining Investment conference being held in Cape Town concurrently.

There will also be a sustainable development day on Thursday to continue the debate on support of communities, environmental management and economic development.

There are sessions focused on mining in 2050 and innovation, and the Investment Battlefield will return.

Keynote speakers include Randgold Resources boss Mark Bristow, Robert Friedland, Vedanta chairman Anil Agarwal, Barrick Gold chief innovation officer Michelle Ash, Alcoa CEO Roy Harvey, Kinross Gold president Paul Rollinson, as well as many African government leaders and ministers.

Government themes and sovereign risk will no doubt be a hot topic, particularly after new mining codes in Tanzania, and only last week, the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Also making the trip to South Africa as one of the many non-Africa delegations is Western Australian Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston.

Johnston will be presenting, promoting WA’s mining and technology services, and will sign a five-year extension of a memorandum of understanding with Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) secretary general Sindiso Ngwenya.