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This article is sponsored by Mining Indaba
This year, as we mark our 31st anniversary, Mining Indaba is evolving. MI25 heralds a groundbreaking era, one that finally recognises the distinct characteristics and inherent rights of mining communities and indigenous groups, placing them firmly at the heart of the mining narrative. This transformative change aligns perfectly with our vision, recognising that the mining industry in Africa is at a critical juncture: “Mining Indaba can and will facilitate this evolution and disrupt conventional approaches… assisting them to transition and embrace a bold future through positive and disruptive dialogues.”
MI25 is not simply about inclusivity; it’s about a fundamental realignment of the mining discourse. We are moving beyond the traditional stakeholder model to embrace the voices of those most deeply affected by mining – the communities that live and breathe mining: the workers, residents, and migrant labourers who form its backbone.
Acknowledging the traditional custodians
Crucially, we are embracing the voices of indigenous peoples with ancestral ties to the land, the very source of the minerals that drive our industry. We are acknowledging the traditional authorities who serve as custodians of these precious resources.
This is why the presence of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San leaders, the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (CONTRALESA), and a plethora of other community organisations at MI25 is not just welcome, it’s revolutionary. Their participation is a recognition of their integral role in shaping the future of mining in Africa.
This year, our newly-launched “Communities Interactive Workshop” will provide a dedicated platform for genuine engagement. This workshop will not be an echo chamber for corporate rhetoric, but will be a crucible where mining companies, community leaders, strategic stakeholders, and representatives from across the ecosystem forge solutions together. We will tackle the critical issues head-on, fostering constructive dialogue and collaborative problem-solving to future-proof African mining, starting today.
This focus on community engagement is not simply altruistic; it’s a strategic imperative for a sustainable future. As David Sturmes-Verbeek, co-founder and director of partnerships & innovation at The Impact Facility, and member of the African Mining Indaba Advisory Committee on Sustainability, powerfully articulated in a recent op-ed: “Mining… requires compromise and poses risks… it is crucial that the local community be engaged, educated, and empowered to negotiate terms at every step of the mining cycle.”
He further highlights our “Communities competition” which has been designed to identify and reward innovative solutions that maximise community benefits from mining. This inspiring competition, focusing on tangible outcomes like skills development, local procurement, and sustainable enterprise development, demonstrates a concrete commitment to empowering communities and ensuring they genuinely benefit from resource extraction. By showcasing and rewarding best practices, the competition aims to drive industry-wide change and create a more equitable and sustainable future for mining communities across Africa.
This commitment resonates powerfully with the South African government’s own objectives. A Cabinet statement of 6 December 2024 underscores the critical importance of engaging with traditional leaders and addressing the concerns of rural communities. The government’s ongoing work with the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San leaders, facilitated by the Inter-Ministerial Task Team chaired by Deputy President Paul Mashatile, demonstrates a clear commitment to ensuring that the voices of these communities are not just heard, but acted upon.
Mining can embrace a new paradigm
The African mining industry stands at a precipice. We can cling to outdated models, prioritising short-term profit over long-term sustainability, or we can embrace a new paradigm – one that is collaborative and recognises the inherent rights and indispensable role of mining communities and indigenous groups. MI25 is a call to action for the entire industry to unite and embrace a more inclusive and equitable approach, empowering local communities and ensuring that the benefits of mining are shared justly.
The Mining Indaba platform is about unlocking the transformative potential of mining to drive sustainable development and create shared prosperity. It’s about recognising that mining communities are not passive recipients; they are active partners in development, custodians of the land, and holders of invaluable traditional knowledge.
MI25 is a movement. It’s a movement towards a future where mining is a force for good, a catalyst for positive change, and a source of empowerment for communities and generations to come. Join us at MI25 and be part of this historic transformation. Let us forge a future where mining empowers, enriches, and endures.
Investing in African Mining Indaba will be taking place from 3-6 February 2025 at CTICC, Cape Town. For more, visit www.miningindaba.com
