Dr. Thabo Mashongoane. Picture: Supplied
Over the last few months, the leading narrative in the national discourse about the mining and minerals sector, has unfortunately been centred around the illicit mining trade that has plagued this industry. The most recent such event has had a tragic aftermath, with many political and civil society organisations calling for a commission of inquiry to be instituted.
This is unfortunate in many ways, as instances such as these, hijack the right discussions that should be heard around this all important industry.
The truth is, the mining and minerals sector remains key to the South African economy. In fact, one would be hard pressed to find any individual industry that doesn’t somehow intersect with mining – directly or indirectly. Not only has mining been a consistent and significant contributor to South Africa’s GDP, it also still remains a pivotal sector that provides jobs and fosters meaningful community development. Mining companies play a critical role in the communities they operate in, not only as engines for the economies around them, but through employment and other ways in which this sector creates and supports entire revenue ecosystems.
The world over, South Africa is exalted for being a mineral-rich country. We are listed as one of the largest producers of platinum, coal, gold and diamond, and our country continues to hold a large and diverse mineral profile, that affords countless opportunities for investment, participation, improvement and training. There are currently 22 minerals mined on our shores, and the export of these minerals bring in substantial foreign exchange.
With this in mind, it is therefore vital for us to think more broadly about, and planning for a mining sector that is sustainable, future-proof and safe. A mining and minerals sector that is forward-looking and future-focused. As a sector, we should collectively look into how we can effectively make use of available technologies to improve health, safety, productivity and efficiency. Essentially, we should train our focus on the idea of “Mining of the Future”.
With the 2025 academic year about to kick into high gear, the exciting task of taking mining into the future, lies with the young people who are going to be the new cohorts into this sector. While many mining industry stakeholders advocate for mining’s return to basics - mostly because its economic contributions have gradually declined in the past decades – it is also worth noting that having a more dynamic, more technologically-inclined mining environment will positively impact overall outcomes, as indicated by research statistics and projections.
Investing resources and injecting new talent that will lead the charge in investigating how technology can be widely utilised to mitigate issues such as health, safety and the element of criminality, might be the only game changer for the sector, and finally find ways to address all the parallel issues that go hand in hand with mining.
The South African mining sector in particular, needs to shift from just having a comparative advantage due to our natural mineral endowments, to developing a real competitive edge, because we operate in a globally competitive world.
Entrenching more technology in the mining sector, will not only address environmental hazards, but it will also attract a more broader spectrum of entrants, as more young people would find technologies such as Drones, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automation more appealing than the more traditional ways of mining. This should happen alongside Government’s mandate of pushing ahead with transformation in this and other industries.
As the Chief Executive Officer of the Mining Qualifications Authority – an organisation whose specific goal is to ensure that the sector has sufficient competent people who will improve the health, safety, transformation and increase productivity through training, I take this opportunity to encourage the young people who will be starting their journey into this critical sector, to challenge themselves to revitalise this industry.
The mining and minerals sector will continue to be the backbone of the South African economy, and continue to enable many if not all the other industries that have linkages with it.
We look to new and qualified cohorts to not just hope to mine for minerals, but aim to mine for innovation.
Dr. Thabo Mashongoane is the CEO of the Mining Qualifications Authority, a SETA that was established in terms of the Skills Development Act.
The Star
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