Reflections on Attending the Mining Indaba 2025

Attending the Mining Indaba has always been on my career bucket list.

Why? Because it seemed like an exclusive club where big decisions are made regarding ESG, sustainability, and other industry trends—decisions that often result in budgets that in-house environmental professionals can only dream of.

This year, I finally made it, albeit self-funded—a luxury that small but impactful environmental consultants often cannot afford.

The conference focused on sustainable practices, technological innovation, and community engagement within the African mining sector. However, as I sat through several panel discussions, particularly in the Sustainability Series and the disruption-focused discussions, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. CEOs of major mining companies still seemed to treat ESG and sustainability as a checklist item rather than a deeply entrenched business imperative. It was disheartening to see executives reading environmental and sustainability statistics off their phones rather than speaking passionately about them. The commitment is still largely on paper rather than in practice.

One of the more encouraging aspects was the inclusion of community voices in the discussions. However, the broader narrative on rehabilitation and mine closure remains drowned out by the dominant "mines are bad and abandon communities" perspective, often amplified by resourceful activists. What was absent from the discussions was the stalemate between the state and mining companies regarding relinquishment and ownership transfer—especially in South Africa. The reality is that mining companies are often held liable indefinitely, yet the significant costs and challenges of illegal mining, vandalism, and theft at non-operational mines were barely acknowledged.

On a lighter note, the exhibits were truly impressive, and I have to commend the event organizers for their attention to detail. The coffee was decent, the catering was efficient, and all dietary needs were accommodated. The networking app was also a great tool for connecting with business partners and industry professionals.

One moment of stark irony stood out to me at the Women in Mining breakfast. The event was filled with discussions about the importance of empowering women and condemning their objectification. Meanwhile, just downstairs, young women in red evening gowns were handing out business cards at an exhibition stand. The contrast was glaring—a reminder of how much progress is still needed in achieving true gender equality in the mining sector.

In closing, the Mining Indaba was an eye-opening experience. It served as a great barometer of where we are in the mining industry and, more importantly, where we still need to make adjustments to create a more sustainable and responsible future for mining. There is progress, but there is still a long road ahead.