Namibian Mining News The Professional Mining Journal
Related Articles
South Africa has the mineral wealth and technical expertise to compete at the highest levels of global mining. SRK Consulting (South Africa) Managing Director Andrew van Zyl argues that converting that advantage into investment and sustained economic growth will require decisive leadership and progress on persistent structural challenges.
Reflecting on the 2026 Joburg Indaba, Van Zyl said the event demonstrated the industry’s capacity to confront difficult realities while identifying practical solutions, with the quality of leadership emerging as a source of confidence. “The Joburg Indaba has never been about presenting a rosy picture of South African mining but rather about creating a space where the industry’s challenges and opportunities can be honestly and constructively discussed. This year it was apparent how the current and future leadership of the industry are competent to respond to these challenges,” said van Zyl.
The discussions took place against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty, intensifying competition for strategic minerals and disrupted supply routes. Domestic constraints, including electricity reliability, logistics, safety and municipal service delivery, continue to influence operating costs and investment decisions. Van Zyl said participants acknowledged these pressures without losing sight of the opportunities available to the sector. He added, “Nobody shied away from the myriad challenges faced by the country and the industry. This was testament to the quality of leadership in mining and the positive attitude that characterises our local culture.”
The induction of Natascha Viljoen into the Joburg Indaba SA Mining Hall of Fame illustrated the depth of South African mining expertise. Viljoen, the first woman to serve as president and chief executive of Newmont, the world’s largest gold producer, developed her career in the South African mining sector. Van Zyl said the industry’s experience and technical capabilities provided a strong foundation for further growth, both domestically and internationally. “We retain a world-class foundation for mineral development and often underestimate the potential of the country to transform those aspects of our economy and society that need improvement,” noted van Zyl.
South African mining companies’ international expansion reinforces that potential. Van Zyl pointed to overseas acquisitions and investment as evidence that local businesses retain the expertise, financial capacity and leadership required to compete across jurisdictions. Realising this potential will require improvements beyond individual mine sites. Mining operations depend on functioning municipalities, reliable infrastructure and effective public services, linking the sector’s performance directly to broader governance and economic reform.
With local government elections approaching, Van Zyl highlighted the economic benefits that stronger municipal capacity could deliver to mining communities and the wider economy. He also pointed to progress through Operation Vulindlela, particularly in electricity, logistics and environmental processes, alongside constructive engagement between government and industry. Addressing crime and corruption could generate similarly broad benefits by strengthening investor confidence and expanding economic opportunities. He said, “The insights from speakers inside and outside the mining sector pointed to the value to be created by improving our municipalities.”
For Van Zyl, collaboration remains central to translating mineral potential into tangible gains. Better coordination between government, industry and communities could help address structural constraints while improving the conditions for investment and sustainable development. He concluded, “We have the people and we have the resources in this generation and the next one. There is no reason why we can’t achieve the improvements that are envisaged for mining and society generally.”
