A skills revolution is needed to drive a cleaner, greener mining industry in South Africa

HISTORICALLY, mining has always had a big impact on the environment. But now, with new technology and a global push for sustainability, the industry is changing significantly.

- Jacques Farmer

However, this transformation is not just about adopting new technology or changing processes - it hinges on the development of a highly skilled workforce that is well-equipped to navigate this landscape as it shifts. As such, we need to prioritise the training and skills development that will make it possible to implement sustainable practices and attract the next generation of mining professionals.

Moving beyond automation to skilling for the technological revolution The Fourth Industrial Revolution has brought a total paradigm shift for mining, with autonomous and remote operations, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and big data analytics becoming an indispensable part of daily operations. However, these technologies are not self-sufficient.

They are only as efficient as the individuals who operate, maintain, and optimise them, which means that there is now a demand for workers skilled in these advancements, highlighting a critical need to invest in comprehensive training programmes to shape and equip this workforce.

Historically, the mining industry has grappled with severe environmental challenges, including dust pollution, water contamination, and ground degradation. To effectively solve these problems, we will need a workforce that is not only competent in traditional mining practices but also adept at implementing and monitoring emerging sustainable technologies.

For example, the operation of advanced water treatment and recycling systems demands specialised skills in chemical engineering, environmental science, and data analysis. Workers don't automatically have these skills, so they will need to be developed through targeted, rigorous training.