As the mining sector gathers again for the 2023, there is likely to be both excitement and apprehension in the air.
Global trends toward decarbonisation are raising demand expectations for battery minerals, and geopolitical tensions suggest that Africa may become more of a focus for sourcing these critical commodities. At the same time, the changing landscape of regulations, best practices and public perception makes for a complex environment to navigate.
“Investors in Africa will want to harness the potential of commodity demand,” says Andrew van Zyl, incoming Managing Director of SRK Consulting (SA). “However, there are growing expectations from host countries and end-customers alike on how mining is conducted, and benefits are shared,” he says.
Adapting to integration and climate change (Responsible mining in Africa demands multidisciplinary teams)
The mining industry’s journey is increasingly demanding the integration of disciplines in planning, operating, and closing mines.
Project teams need to be pursuing their engineering solutions with early-stage input on pressing issues like Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) risks, water stewardship, climate action and energy efficiency.
Mining companies must not only pay more attention to mitigating their own impacts by decarbonising their operations but must also be adapting to the inevitable effects of climate change.
