Mining Indaba

An interesting topic discussed at the Investing in Africa Mining Indaba was building local content and SMMEs into the mining infrastructure and supply chain. Key topics came to the fore that the industry can only talk about for a while; there needs to be action and agility and to look into technology's role in the process. Buying locally remains important, and processes need to be followed, but it is one area that can no longer be ignored.

Localisation leads to employment opportunities; this area needs to be considered at the corporate level. In the sustainable mining plan, companies like Anglo-American look at supporting jobs beyond mining.

Job creativity, youth development and SMME support are at the core of the company's work. The monetisation of skills should be at the core to ensure employment. These are bread-and-butter issues, and leadership has a responsibility to look into them. Getting into the supply chain ecosystems speaks to how organisations need to act. Organisations may be looking for suppliers, but the process should be meaningful and impactful.

MINING SUPPLY

CHAIN LOCALISATION, REINDUSTRIALISATION:

DIRECTOR OF BEE, DMRE BONGIWE MABUSELA; JEANNE ELLIS DIRECTOR: SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS GROUP

DAI; LARISHA NAIDOO: MANAGING

DIRECTOR, ANGLO ZIMELE; NYANISO RAPIYA: ESD & PREFERENTIAL PROCUREMENT MANAGER AT SERITI RESOURCES; MPUMI SITHOLE:

THUNGELA EXECUTIVE HEAD OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS; JEFF GEIPEL: MANAGING DIRECTOR, MINING

SHARED VALUE, ENGINEERS WITHOUT BORDERS CANADA; MODERATED BY CLIVE GOVENDER: CEO & FOUNDER, CGC CONSULTING & ADAPT DIGITAL SOLUTIONS

Technology is a force within mining, but the area of automation threatens the same jobs that need to be created. Local content needs to be clear for organisations so that there is an understanding of what needs to happen. The role of contractors in the value chains must be scrutinised. Capacity-building plans must be put in place to ensure that everyone benefits.

Localisation and local content should be distinct as they are different. We should not use these two terms to suit organisations' narratives. Communities understand the terms differently; they believe that if you are from another area, you should not be benefitting from the mining resources of their area. Communities need access to opportunities and will not watch opportunities pass them by. Training and development should bring change, and that is a social licence that organisations often ignore.

Entrepreneurs follow opportunities, and this poses a challenge. Communities should not prevent people from doing business, and opportunists come in and take advantage. Leadership must come to play. These resources are a national heritage. On a continent level, we could also share skills and work on each other's strengths. The tried and tested entrepreneurs are not in that mindset, and criminal elements should not infiltrate the system. Operating in silos may also lead to this mindset where small groups want to dictate. Communities in some areas make collaboration difficult, which slows down and even delays access to opportunities.

Technology should be able to solve challenges, and the algorithms and data should be able to present that. SMMEs and communities need a voice. They should be able to work together and collaborate in practice. Inclusive participation will lead to trust when the procurement is transparent, and there is no extortion but a mutual connection. How best can we industrialise South Africa, and what can we manufacture in South Africa are some of the questions that need to be answered.

Technology should not be used as a divide; a barrier to access should give the edge. Access to the market will create economic opportunities, which can only exist when the infrastructure supports the development. Youth has a role to play in the development, and while we battle unemployment, cross-collaboration will assist in ensuring that these narratives are actionable.

Mines scorecard must be aligned with the intention, and there could be action. Partnerships with stakeholders and longterm planning can ensure that meaningful change is made. The growth and graduation of SMMEs are linked to the economy, and that area needs attention. There are solutions to the challenges; all it takes is collaboration and being intentional about the actions to make an impact.

Women in mining cannot be ignored, and women in mining should not be about women in the offices but women on the ground. The industry should not develop a few women but consider bringing in and supporting more women.