With the Investing in African Mining Indaba this year rallying participants around the theme “Stronger together: Progress through partnerships,” collaboration between public and private sector came sharply into focus.

Speaking to Mining Weekly following the event in Cape Town, Department of Science, Technology and Innovation’s (DSTI) deputy director-general Dr Mmboneni Muofhe emphasised the role of partnerships and collaboration not only between government and the private sector but also those communities surrounding mining operations. 

"Collaboration in the mining sector becomes very crucial, because there are many players," he highlighted.

One such player is the Mandela Mining Precinct, a public–private partnership between the DSTI, through the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and the mining industry, represented by Minerals Council South Africa. 

The precinct acts as an enabler for the development of both technological and people-centred solutions. While its immediate focus is on strengthening South Africa’s mining industry, the benefits are intended to extend across the Southern African Development Community and, ultimately, the broader African continent.