Stilfontein. It is a name irrevocably connected to South Africa’s mining sector. But, according to Prof Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU), it is high time that the country makes global mining headlines for the right reasons.
“The saga of the illegal miners in the Buffelsfontein Mine in Stilfontein caught the attention of global news agencies and painted a very skewed picture of mining in South Africa. It was and still is disheartening. We should be able to dictate what the picture of one of our most valuable sectors looks like. Our mines are resources of immense value, and they can contribute even more to the fortunes of all South Africans. We need the world to know this, and we need the world to see this. In 2023, the mining sector contributed more than R200 billion to our gross domestic product. It is a sector that employs more than 470 000 people. These are not insignificant numbers,” said Prof Tyobeka.
“The mines are feeder veins to their surrounding communities and a lifeline to countless households. That is why the NWU is actively pursuing the establishment of our School of Mines and Mining Engineering, which will be based in Rustenburg, to address the evolving need of South Africa’s mining industry. The mining sector remains the backbone of South Africa’s economy, fuelling job creation, exports and industrial growth. Rich in minerals like gold, platinum and rare earths, mines are pivotal to global supply chains. With responsible governance and innovation, mining can drive sustainable development, uplift communities and secure the nation's economic resilience.”
From 3 to 6 February, Cape Town will play host to the Investing in African Mining Indaba, which is the largest conference of its kind in the world.
“The country and the continent need events like this to show that we will not be defined by failures that make for sensational reading, like Stilfontein, but by current successes and those to come. We are the world’s largest producer of platinum, with about 70% of global production hailing from South Africa. We are also a notable exporter of gold, iron ore, manganese, chromium, diamonds and more. We are a global mining power, not a refuge for zama zamas and their exploitation tactics. Let us take hands and work together to show the world who we are,” Prof Tyobeka concluded.
