The risk profile of mining has been raised by climate change, technological advances, a global pandemic and geopolitical instability - but it is still delivering value to countries and communities around Africa.
Mining remains a powerful pioneer sector that can kick-start much needed economic diversification. As Africa looks to foster development in the face of tomorrow's unexpected challenges, building local resilience is a task to which mining is contributing significantly.
Much of this contribution is being made through the mining sector's relatively agile responses to its own operation requirement - in relation to energy, for instance. In contrast to large-scale national infrastructure projects, which can take time to coordinate and implement, private companies can dedicate resources quickly, and in ways that multiply the impact.
This has already occurred in the renewable energy space in many African countries, including South Africa. Where there is sufficient common interest, each of these contributions can add up to an important groundswell.
Renewable Gains
The mining sector in South Africa has about 7.5 GW of renewable energy projects in various stages of development. This country provides a good example of what can be done with the right government facilitation, as this surge in capacity was almost impossible until recent legal changes.
In addition to serving its own need for energy and its strategic drive to reduce carbon emissions, the sector is opening doors for renewable technology to enter and transform communities around Africa. In remote local economies, where basic services are minimal, the adoption of solar energy by a mine can foster a valuable supply chain in related skills and products.
Renewable energy technology has been rapidly embraced by communities to enhance business, education and other facets of life; an advantage of modern generation and storage systems is that they do not necessarily need the investment and infrastructure of traditional national grids.
What was primarily a national government responsibility just a few decades ago is now shared by private enterprise and community members.
Access to water is another item high on Africa’s list of developmental priorities, and the mining sector has made considerable progress on this issue. Driven by the principles of water stewardship, global mining players today are starting to consider the whole catchment in which a mine is located - planning collaboratively with all stakeholders in that catchment.
This paves the way for involving communities, other mines and businesses, as well as government agencies, in the quest to protect water resources and make them available to all who need them.
