The next generation’s vision for mining is characterised by the need to work towards ensuring a sustainable future by means of developing cutting-edge mining technology and finely honed skills.

This was the message that emerged from a panel at the Joburg Indaba: Investing in Resources and Mining in Africa, held in Inanda, earlier this month.

The panel featured students from mining disciplines and young professionals that have recently started their careers in mining and was chaired by University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) vice chancellor Professor Adam Habib.

University of Pretoria assistant lecturer Eugene Preis highlighted the need to invest in technology rather than in the development of more mining projects. “While the development of new mining projects is important, more important is the development of new mining technologies. Given the level at which we are in terms of technology, we will not be able to economically extract the large amount of mineral resources available in South Africa into the future,” he said.

He emphasised that the new- generation mining fraternity and mining academia needed to pool their resources to develop mining technology to such a level that it would increase the amount of extractable mineral reserves in South Africa. Once this is achieved, the pool of potential mining projects in the country will, in turn, increase. The profitability of existing mining projects will also increase and investing in new projects will be more lucrative for investors.

In order for the concept of mechanised mining to gain traction, the South African mining industry must undergo a mindset change.

Preis is of the opinion that one of the basic reasons for resistance to change on mines is the emphasis that the mining industry places on lessons learnt in the past and the experience gained from these lessons, as opposed to a person’s competence – being able to perform a task well without being told how to do so.

“I believe competence is more valuable than experience because, as technology inevitably improves in the mining industry and as mechanisation rates, in turn, increase, there will be a need for increased skills levels, which means that this new breed of mining employee will need to be more competent and adaptable.

“Continuous education and training for mine employees will increase competence and provide the skilled labour that we so desperately require to reach our end goal of modernised mining,” says Preis.

Wits student Oregopotse Magano said that training on the African continent was critical and the current stakeholders needed to invest in future stakeholders.

He said that mining had a crucial role to play in achieving the aspirations of the South African government’s New Growth Path and the objectives of the National Development Plan, and he, thus, envisioned the mining industry doing more than just mining and, instead, becoming an active member in ensuring a strong economy in the next ten years.

Further, Sasol Base Chemicals explosives engineer Comfort Mathenjwa would like to see a mining industry that is safe and profitable and one in which local government and mining houses took care of their responsibilities at community level. He also places strong emphasis on the way in which talent is managed and groomed. It should be undertaken in such a way as to ensure a skilled workforce in the next ten years.

Mine manager of Village Main Reef’s Consolidated Murchison gold and antimony mine Maria Moganedi highlighted the importance of mine mechanisation, automation and robotics in future, as South Africa’s orebodies, which are are becoming deeper and more challenging to mine, are dictating the mining methods that were going to have to be used going forward.

“My plea on behalf of the young upcoming mining leaders is for government and the mining industry CEOs of today to support and fund modernised mining research and development to help us prepare for the challenges of the future.

Mduduzi Nobela, a student at the Wits School of Mining Engineering, emphasised the need to think creatively to develop new methods of future mining to continue to produce productively.

Nobela added that emphasis should also be placed on achieving zero harm.

Social responsibility and community development consultation firm Beulah Africa MD Roné Viljoen says, while it is easy for the new generation to highlight the faults in the mining industry, it is another matter for this generation to accept responsibility and dedicate itself to finding solutions to these issues.

“I believe that change in the mining industry is possible, and that mining companies will, in the next ten years, become the primary drivers of Africa’s development through transformative, sustainable and socially responsible practices.”