IN MINING ROOTED
Holding itself to a higher standard and committed to its creed, ‘performing for impact’, Modi Mining is a catalyst of positive change, offering mining services and products of the highest quality whilst safeguarding the communities in which it operates. Sam Molefi, Managing Director, tells us more
Writer: Lily Sawyer | Project Manager: Thomas Arnold
As it undergoes a significant transformation, the African mining industry is witnessing an undeniable shift towards sustainable and socially conscious operations.
Demand is also increasing for contract miners who not only deliver on technical capabilities but on community impact initiatives and compliance to the prevailing laws.
A prime example of an awardwinning company successfully delivering on an emerging criterion for social responsibility is Modi Mining, who is on a mission to provide the best possible outcomes for all impacted by its work.
“It’s an exciting time to be involved in the sector, particularly for Africanowned businesses,” opens Sam Molefi, Managing Director.
As it continues to tap into the region’s vast mineral resources with the collective interests of local communities in mind, Modi Mining emerges as an ethical organisation that sets the bar for others to follow in its footsteps.
Elsewhere, digitisation, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) integration, and local ownership are also key trends shaping the future.
“Companies that can adapt to this new paradigm will thrive,” Molefi observes.
DISCIPLINED, AGILE, AND COMMITTED
A 100 percent black-owned contract mining company operating across South Africa (SA), Modi Mining emerges as a key player in the region’s mining and minerals landscape.
Its clients include respected industry names such as Exxaro Resources Limited (Exxaro), Impala Platinum, Glencore, and SibanyeStillwater, amongst others.
Currently employing over 1,000 staff across multiple sites,
WHAT INITIALLY DREW YOU TO WORKING IN THE MINING INDUSTRY?
Sam Molefi, Managing Director: “My journey in mining spans 29 years, beginning in the Gold Fields region, SA, and extending through technical and leadership roles at Valterra Platinum (formerly Anglo American Platinum), Sasol, and a Managerial role at JIC Mining Services.
“I was drawn to the industry because of its ability to transform economies and impact communities at scale.
“Over time, my interest evolved from technical expertise to strategic business development, driven by a desire to build a mining business rooted in operational excellence and inclusive growth.
“This led to the founding of Modi Mining in 2007, which today employs over 1,000 people and serves some of SA’s leading mining companies.”
“ONE OF OUR CORE VALUES, ‘WINNING WITH OUR PEOPLE’, NOT ONLY SPEAKS TO VALUING ALL STAKEHOLDERS BUT ENSURING THE COMMUNITIES WE ARE A PART OF SHARE IN OUR SUCCESS”
– SAM MOLEFI, MANAGING DIRECTOR, MODI MINING
Modi Mining’s operations span both underground and opencast environments.
“We are known for delivering under challenging conditions with a strong safety record and high operational standards,” Molefi tells us.
Providing specialised mining services, Modi Mining operates across several key areas such as underground and opencast mining,
alongside offering civil services.
Standing out from the competition, the company’s operational discipline, agility, and commitment to inclusive growth continue to differentiate it.
In short, Modi Mining’s capabilities have seen it deliver at scale, whilst the company is still agile enough to take on small projects, led by a team of experienced professionals.
“With outstanding levels of
expertise and industry knowledge, our care-driven leadership team leads and influences the organisation from all levels,” he prides.
Most importantly, as a transformation-driven business –not just in terms of ownership, but in terms of hiring, training, supplier development, and community partnerships – the company further differentiates itself.
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“That’s what makes us more than just a contractor; we’re a strategic partner,” Molefi adds.
PROJECTS AND PARTNERS
Modi Mining is proud to have been appointed two years ago by Exxaro, an SA-based diversified resources company, to execute a contract mining project in one of its opencast coal mines.
“We successfully delivered an average of 550,000 tonnes per month of combined topsoil, subsoil stripping, and hard stockpile mining,” Molefi outlines.
This output resulted in an impressive 130 percent yield in year one, followed by 179 percent in year two, exceeding what the company set out to achieve in the initial business plan.
“Our excellent performance in this instance was accomplished due to zero lost time injury cases, whilst
MODI MINING’S SERVICES – AT A GLANCE
Operating across a range of mining sectors whilst offering a comprehensive portfolio of civil services, Modi Mining’s services in each are wide ranging. These include:
UNDERGROUND (HARD ROCK) MINING SECTOR – Stoping, developing, underground construction and equipping, and trackless/mechanised mining services.
OPENCAST MINING SECTOR –Load and haul, rollover mining, rehabilitation.
CIVIL SERVICES – Material handling and stockyard management, bulk earthworks, and construction of tailings storage facilities (TSF).
“FOR US, SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIPS ARE NOT TRANSACTIONAL. WE BUILD LONGTERM PARTNERSHIPS BASED ON TRUST, SHARED VALUES, AND MUTUAL GROWTH”
– SAM MOLEFI, MANAGING DIRECTOR, MODI MINING
we only recorded a single medical treatment case (MTC) over the twoyear period,” he details.
The company’s supply chain, meanwhile, has been a critical part of Modi Mining’s value chain, having worked closely with some of its original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and local suppliers for many years.
By maintaining a close relationship with its partners and suppliers, the company ensures equipment availability is consistently at an all-time high, further supporting local suppliers with preferential commercial terms to ensure they provide high-quality
services and products in return.
Equally important to Modi Mining is its commitment to local procurement, prioritising partnerships with blackowned and community-based enterprises.
“For us, supplier relationships are not transactional. We build long-term partnerships based on trust, shared values, and mutual growth,” Molefi confirms.
SHARING SUCCESSES
With people at the heart of Modi Mining’s success, it focuses heavily on skills development, mentorship, and internal promotion.
“We run performance recognition programmes and regularly celebrate team milestones,” Molefi explains.
The company also believes in empowering its site leadership teams to make decisions, driving accountability and building a high-performance culture across all levels of the business.
Elsewhere, Modi Mining prioritises corporate social responsibility (CSR), viewing itself as at one with the communities in which it operates.
“One of our core values, ‘winning with our people’, not only speaks to valuing all stakeholders but ensuring the communities we are part of share in our success,” he impassions.
The company recognises that whilst its mining operations are essential to the economy, it is equally crucial to ensure that the benefits of the mines’ successes are shared with those who need it most.
“CSR is not just a box-ticking exercise for us, it’s part of our DNA,” Molefi shares.
Indeed, Modi Mining also supports youth development, sponsors local school initiatives, and contributes to health outreach programmes in the areas where it operates.
“Our goal is always to create shared value and leave a positive footprint in the communities we touch,” he adds.
EXPANDING HORIZONS
Looking ahead, Modi Mining intends to deepen the culture of interdependence amongst its employees, bolstering resilience and operational excellence in all it undertakes.
The company also intends to expand its horizons by adding new names to its existing client base, girded by internal transformations, involvement in various industry platforms, and direct solution selling.
Modi Mining also intends to strengthen its internal operations.
“We will reinforce ourselves internally by streamlining systems,
strengthening leadership, and driving a culture of high performance,” Molefi muses.
Reflecting on his leadership style, Molefi notes how leading by example and empowering those around him has helped the company to achieve its continued success.
“I value operational discipline, but I also value taking care of people and building a culture of accountability and performance.
“At the end of the day, leadership is about building others up, creating opportunities, and driving purpose with clarity,” he passionately concludes.
