SPEAKING NOTES BY THE HONOURABLE DEPUTY MINISTER OF MINERAL AND PETROLEUM RESOURCES JUDITH NEMADZINGA-NEMADZINGA (MP) Closing Remarks at Mintek @90 Conference Sandton Convention Centre, 12 November 2024
Programme Director, Mirian Manuel The Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Mr Gwede Mantashe in absentia Chairperson of Mintek, Dr Thibedi Ramontja and all Board Members Director General of the DMRE, Mr Jacob Mbele CEO of Mintek, Dr Molefi Motuku and all your executives CEOs of State-Owned Entities present here Captains of Industry Ladies and gentlemen, It is an honour to once again engage with you as we conclude what has been a truly impactful and inspiring Mintek@90 Conference. Over the past two days, we have witnessed incredible contributions from leaders across the mining industry, academia, and government, who shared innovative research, insights, and practical solutions that will undoubtedly shape the future of Mintek, and the South African mining industry in general. South Africa’s mineral industry is a cornerstone of our economy, offering immense potential for growth and diversification. Our abundant resources, combined with the skills, vision, and commitment within our workforce, allow us to drive sustainable development and remain at the forefront of global minerals and mining. Each of you here play a pivotal role in capitalising on this potential, and together, we have the power to make a lasting impact on our sector’s future. The research and insights shared at this conference have highlighted the vast opportunities ahead. From critical minerals - essential to our nation’s competitiveness in the global economy - to advancements in technology enabling us to extract and process resources more efficiently, we have set a bold vision for our industry. Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards are no longer optional but central to responsible mining. These themes emphasise our collective commitment to a more resilient, ethical, and future-focused minerals sector. For its part, the South African government, which I have an honour to serve, remains committed to advancing these objectives to drive inclusive economic growth, create employment opportunities, and eradicate poverty. As alluded to yesterday, our draft Critical Minerals Strategy, that is being pioneered by Mintek, positions the South African mining industry as a sunrise industry that is poised to continue supplying the global commodities market with minerals crucial to the green economy. Through this strategy, we intend to unlock investment, foster job creation, and drive sustainable economic growth, thereby position South Africa as an essential player in global climate-positive advancements. A vital component of our industry’s success is energy security. In recent years, we have made significant strides in addressing our energy challenges through targeted interventions, including improving the Energy Availability Factor (EAF) and mobilising investment in additional energy capacity. The fact that South Africa has not witnessed loadshedding for the past seven months reflect our commitment to creating a stable, sustainable operating environment that benefits not only mining but also all areas of our economy and society. Programme Director, skills development and meaningful participation of women in our industry are a particular passion of mine. This is why I find it particularly inspiring to recognise the advancements we have made in gender representation within the sector. One striking observation - highlighted by International Women in Mining (IWiM) in their recent publication, Uncovering the Gender Data Gap in Mining Worldwide - is the impact of legislative frameworks like the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act and the Mining Charter on gender equity. In South Africa, these initiatives have driven a higher representation of women in leadership roles compared to global figures. We have seen an increase in women participation in the mining industry since the early 2000s, thereby demonstrating that targeted policies can make a tangible difference. This progress is not only an achievement but also a beacon for further advancements in the industry. We need to see more and more women and youth participating in the industry, and through collaboration we can realise this sooner than we can imagine. It is also encouraging to see the latest data from Stats SA, which highlights growth within our mining sector, despite global complexities. In August 2024, South Africa’s mining production rose by 0.3% year-on-year, driven by minerals like manganese ore, which surged by an impressive 16%, and chromium, which increased by nearly 25%. This performance represents much more than statistics; it is an affirmation of our industry’s resilience, and it underscores the opportunities we have for economic growth, job creation, and securing South Africa’s place on the global stage as a reliable supplier of critical minerals. In closing, I would like to thank the organisers, speakers, and each and every delegate that contributed to the success of this conference. We now have a collective responsibility to put into action all the resolutions of this conference. Once again, I wish to congratulate Mintek for celebrating 90 years of excellence and commend all of us within this industry for demonstrating that, indeed, we can work together. Let me leave you with the wise words of the late mother of the nation, Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, when she said, “We have a shared destiny, a shared responsibility to save the world from those who attempt to destroy it”. Let us continue working together in building a globally competitive South African mining industry to grow and sustain our economy. I thank you.