Earlier this month, Clareo Managing Partner Peter Bryant (a judge for the International Mining Technology Hall of Fame) addressed a special session at Mining Indaba in Africa where he discussed the future of mining in Africa and how the Development Partner approach could positively impact the industry. He also moderated a panel on the subject that included the CEO of Anglo American, the Anglican archbishop for central Africa, the international head of Oxfam, and Hatch Goba’s head of sustainability for Africa, Europe and the Middle East. In this update, he provides his takeaways from this year’s conference and offers insight into the conversations affecting the industry.
“The dominant mood at Indaba 2016 was sombre. Nevertheless, I picked up on an underlying optimism from many speakers and participants about a brighter future, if major and fundamental change could be achieved through innovation – something in which the industry had massively underinvested through the super cycle. There was a growing realization that the old ways would no longer serve the industry in the future.
“This innovation imperative should be focused upon technology that radically reduces production costs, increases productivity and reduces negative impacts. It must enable the development of otherwise uneconomic resources and provide a new way to engage with communities and other stakeholders to drive better outcomes for all, both during and after the life of the mine.
“I was impressed with the range of new thinking that came from an ever growing and influential minority. Robert Friedland gave an impassioned address around the new disruptive technology possibilities, while Mark Cutifani advocated the Development Partner approach. This model, co-created with a multi-stakeholder group under the auspices of the Kellogg Innovation Network, drives a new way to engage with communities and other stakeholders, and is already being adopted at Anglo American.
“This transformation must be accompanied by innovative new investment models for projects and associated multi-use infrastructures, such as those advocated by the Milken Institute and Anglo Pacific’s Julian Treger in his panel comments. These innovations require a policy and regulatory environment that encourages this transformation and provides stability.
“This is a pivotal moment for South Africa. As a major resource country, it can either hold on to the old ways and see only diminishing returns, or embrace the future by taking an active role in the transformation. This will take a bold vision, courage from leaders in public and private sectors, and a fundamental shift in mindset. These factors combined promise a brighter future for South Africa, with the benefits of its resource endowment being more equally shared among all stakeholders, especially surrounding communities, and the development of a more diverse economic base that will result in a more competitive country and improved social and environmental outcomes.
