admincommitted investments in the mining sector are needed, focus should be equally given to communities and workforce in the mining industry.
“All over the world, ‘sustainability’ issues are key to mining and to relationships between mining companies and their stakeholders,” said Hermanus whose centre is based at University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.
Hermanus said her centre and mining giant AngloGold Ashanti would co-organise the Mining for Change conference in South Africa early next month to examine issues relating to South Africa’s mining sector.
“While substantial long-term and committed investments are needed, host communities, societies and workforces expect socially and environmentally responsible operational methods as well as progress towards thriving post-mining economies,” Hermanus said.
“In South Africa we have additionally the need to deal with mining’s apartheid legacy,” she added.
According to Hermanus, the purpose of the conference is to focus attention on mining in South Africa, and provide a platform for all the stakeholders in the industry to seek out a common ground and focus on improving all facets of the industry.
She said the conference would seek to tackle major issues affecting the mining industry ahead of the South Africa ruling party African National Congress’conference in June, which would also touch upon the mining issues and policies.
The African Mining Indaba held early this year in Cape Town urged the mining industry to promote sustainable development policies that add social and economic value to host communities.
The mining industry in South Africa and Africa at large is being blamed for neglecting policies that promote community beneficiation. — Xinhua.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter