It was an inspiring, informative and passionate three days at the 2013 Mining Lekgotla with the first two dedicated to competitiveness and transformation within the South African mining industry. After analysing the current state of these issues, the third and final day of the conference focused on the future of the mining industry, and in particular, building future leaders through skills development and the future of policy in mining.
The first session delved into skills development and how we must properly build the future leaders of the industry. The discussion was chaired by Retha Piater from Exxaro Resources Limited with representatives from the University of Witwatersrand and the Mining Qualifications Authority making up the rest of the panel.
It is clear that in order to build a prosperous future the industry needs to focus on filtering quality skills into the talent pool through sustainable education initiatives.
Fredrick Cawood, Head Professor of the School of Mining Engineering at the University of Witwatersrand said, “Mining is an extension of smart technologies from surface to underground, the future will be digital. Only 5% of our population have qualifications of any kind. If we want to operate in a grey matter industry we need to tend to this 5%. This is a wake-up call for the industry.”
But the problem extends to graduates as well, which was highlighted by CEO of the South African Graduates Development Association, Thamsanqa Maqubeka. He elaborated on the problem of graduate unemployment.
Following this was the panel on the future of policy in mining. It was this discussion that Anglo American Platinum CEO Chris Griffith took on the role of Chairman, with representatives from the Parliamentary Porfolio Committee on Mining, Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA), and Pan African Capital.
As mining is an integral industry in South Africa’s greater economy, it is important to ensure all policies enable the sustainable success of not only the industry but of the country as well.
In his opening address, Griffith expanded on five issues we all need to look at when regarding the future of policy in mining.
Joel Netshitenzhe, Executive Director at MISTRA said, “Tragedies can be a catalyst for all-round self-correction if lessons are appropriately internalised.”
After lunch, the delegates filtered into the conference hall for the final session of the day and of the entire event – the wrap up session. The issues were pertinent, the presentations were illuminating and a there was a common agreement that the conference was a success.
Mr Mpho Makwana, Mining Lekgotla 2013 Convenor said, “Since inception last year, to have come as far as we have now in year two, it does say we have broken the psychological barrier of start-up barriers as we look toward year three. We want to create a strong community, a networking forum, no matter what interest you represent.”
We would like to thank the Department of Mineral Resources, The Chamber of Mines of South Africa, and the National Union of Mineworkers for hosting a successful Mining Lekgotla and look forward to seeing some action taken on the issues raised, at next year’s conference.