Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance ESG an imperative for long term mining in Africa have taken a prominent role in decision-making across the African mining sector, with intensified awareness from all stakeholders. This is why the 2022 Investing in African Mining Indaba will be exploring what ESG means in practice for Africa’s mining operators, communities and jurisdictions.
The theme for this year’s Mining Indaba is, “Evolution of African Mining: Investing in the Energy Transition, ESG and the Economies”. The programme will explore and share industry lessons on the progress made in mining’s ESG-focused investment environment, unpack the role of technology and examine the risks, uncertainties, and opportunities post-COP26.
A statement by African Mining Indaba said that key topics for discussion include ESG Investing – Emerging from the pandemic into a better world; the role of technology in ESG-centered mining; what does ESG mean when applied to Africa’s mining communities?
Others are building strong & sustainable accountability frameworks; managing ESG risks in the African context; and panel discussion on turning ESG inwards
“As economies emerge from the global pandemic and countries grapple with climate change, ESG continues to play a core role in mining across Africa with investors, funders and consumers placing greater trust in organisations that show a long-term interest in these standards.
“Despite the upside potential on a continent endowed with an abundance of mineral wealth, the mining and minerals sector has also faced ESG risks with concerns around safety and security, climate change, community relations and environmental impact. Therefore, it has become an even greater imperative for the sector to get the implementation of these ESG strategies and policies right to create meaningful change.
“ESG will not be just a buzzword at the conference but rather provide the opportunity for mining companies to consider implementing meaningful strategies and policies as a central part of doing business to not only drive investment into mining across the continent but to ensure a competitive, sustainable and accountable sector,” the statement said.
“Speakers and industry representatives, including International Council on Mining & Metals (ICMM) CEO, Rohitesh Dhawan; CEO-Designate & MD Minerals at Exxaro Resources, Dr. Nombasa Tsengwa; and EITI Africa Director, Bady Baldé, will wholistically tackle ESG issues and explore the energy transition which demands ESG rigour and provides the potential to grow our economies. Other important industry bodies sending their key executives focused on building ESG frameworks will include the Fair Cobalt Alliance, the Development Partner Institute, and the Natural Resource Governance Institute,” the statement added.
Investing in African Mining Indaba is the largest mining investment event in Africa. With a proven track record of bringing together Ministers, senior Government representatives, Mining Companies, Mid and Junior Miners, Investors, professional services as well as mining equipment and service providers, Mining Indaba is the place to meet everybody who’s anybody in the African and global mining industry.
