As a participant at this year’s Investing in African Mining Indaba – to be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, from February 5 to 8 – audit, tax and advisory services firm KPMG is looking forward to participating in discussions related to this year’s theme, titled ‘Embracing the power of positive disruptions.’

Positive disruptions entail the introduction of, for example, technological advancements, as well as developments in health and safety, and environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG).

KPMG aims to better understand the needs of the mining industry by participating in relevant discussions.

“It is important to participate in discussions on how the industry is working towards becoming more sustainable, as well as understanding and investing smartly for positive social impact in the communities in which miners are based,” says KPMG energy and natural resources sector lead Safeera Loonat.

“A key goal for the firm is to be a leading voice in the conversations on building a more sustainable, social and responsible mining industry in Africa.”

She adds that different perspectives on technology, change management and people development can contribute towards developing a mining industry in Africa that is sustainable and profitable and which contributes towards the development of the continent into the next “economic revolution”.

Loonat elaborates that new technologies need to be scalable in that they should be compatible with pre-existing technology, as well as change and adapt to future requirements for successful implementation.

Moreover, security around new technologies is “paramount”, given new cyberattacks and the increased vulnerability of countries and companies being held to ransom.

“The technology security landscape needs to be understood,” she says, adding that any technology investment needs to be consistent and agile, in addition to considering the security risks.

Loonat argues that the responsible implementation of ESG in the African mining industry should balance the sustainability of the mining sector for future generations with the development of current generations.

She notes that the responsible implementation of ESG practices can aid growth in the African mining sector, adding that ESG can also contribute to social development and protecting the environment for future generations.

To this end, KPMG aims to support the sustainable development of the African mining industry by supporting clients throughout their implementation of solutions that effect positive disruption, and helping them to navigate associated challenges.

The firm offers services in areas such as strategic planning, financial and economic assessments, technology implementation, change management, risk assessment and sustainability, governance and social impact assessments.

“As KPMG, we harness this drive and invest in the growth of Africa by providing leading support for our clients in a responsible and sustainable manner,” Loonat concludes.