Climate change, sustainability on agenda on final day of Mining Indaba
The meeting of thousands of delegates in 2024 comes on the back of a range of challenges faced by the industry.
Labour experts at the Mining Indaba in Cape Town warn that it's bad for businesses to lock labour unions out as tensions in the industry persist. Picture: Nokukhanya Mntambo/ Eyewitness News.
CAPE TOWN - The four-day Mining Indaba is set to wrap up in Cape Town on Thursday after opening its doors to thousands of delegates earlier in the week.
The indaba is the world’s largest gathering of influential leaders in the mining industry.
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The meeting of mining giants, policymakers, and government officials in 2024 marked the 30th anniversary of the event and comes on the back of a range of challenges faced by the industry.
While not exclusive to South Africa, the country’s chronic energy crisis and poorly performing logistics sector led to a drag on the industry.
The balance sheet seen in a recent mining report showed a shrinking bottom line for mining companies amid a drop in output.
Subsequently, the industry’s contribution to the economy also contracted.
Several discussions at the indaba focused on sourcing investment for Africa and ways to get ahead of value chain disruptions.
So far, government also vowed to throw its weight behind the sector in a bid to fast-track recovery.
Before closing shop on Thursday, delegates are still expected to continue talks about climate change and sustainability in the sector, as well as the impact of geopolitical tensions on trade.