ANDAMAN PARTNERS at Mining Indaba 2025 (V) — Co-Founder Rachel Wu Interviewed by Mining Review Africa

ANDAMAN PARTNERS Co-Founders Kobus van der Wath and Rachel Wu attended Mining Indaba 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa on 3-6 February.

At the event, Rachel Wu was interviewed by Gerard Peter, Mining Review Africa Editor-in-Chief. In the interview, Rachel outlined the importance of mining to ANDAMAN PARTNERS and its three business units: Investment, Advisory and Trade. For example, ANDAMAN Trade works with mining companies in Africa and worldwide to tap investment, technology and supply chains from the dynamic Asia region.

Rachel discussed China’s changing role in global supply chains. She stated that China is a very special case. It has built a manufacturing foundation with mature infrastructure, investment, technology, etc. China can now supply mining companies with a very wide range of mining categories, with improving quality and technology.

However, China’s role in global supply chains has been changing as the country is moving away from labour-intensive industries and focusing more on value-added and high-tech sectors. We all know the saying ‘Made in China.’ Then, it became ‘Well Made in China,’ and now the saying is ‘Intelligent Manufacturing in China.’ While the manufacturing base for labour-intensive industries is gradually moving to Southeast Asia, India, Eastern Europe and Mexico, China is increasingly investing its R&D budget in sophisticated computing, communications, machinery and clean energy sectors.

Rachel pointed out the key considerations for African mining companies: In sectors where China has already withdrawn, do they have alternative supply chains? For sectors where China is withdrawing but still dominating, do they have alternative supply markets with relevant supply development plans? And more importantly, for sectors where China is not yet dominating but strategically moving into, do they know how to explore and develop these opportunities?

Originally published by Mining Review Africa.