The mood during this year’s Mining Indaba is considerably more upbeat than last year thanks to economic recovery, higher and more stable commodity prices and, in South Africa, more certainty in terms of policy and regulations.

Of course, challenges remain, including the situation around Eskom and its request for a 15% annual tariff hike for the next three years. There is nevertheless quite a bit of positivity.

Besides all of this, the topic of responsible business operations featured high o‌n the agenda, and not without reason. Sustainability, responsibility and inclusivity are no longer ticking boxes exercises but business prerogatives.

Then there was the role of technology and innovation in driving the mining sector forward. I enjoyed listening to Deshnee Naidoo, CEO of Vedanta Zinc International. She elaborated o‌n the company’s Gamsberg mine in the Northern Cape, an operation that is known as o‌ne of the world’s most digitally enhanced mines.

It is true what she and others said: technology allows mining companies to work smarter, and harder, and make an even bigger impact in terms of the wellbeing of our business, shareholders, workers, the communities we partner with, and the economy. The present and future of the South African mining sector relies o‌n how we disrupt the status quo in the broadest sense of the word. At Exxaro we have known this for quite some time.

Mxolisi Mgojo, Chief Executive Officer, Exxaro Resources, President, Chamber of Mines of South Africa