To address environmental concerns and meet the growing demand for responsible practices, the mining industry is increasingly focusing on sustainability and innovation through technology.According to Edrich Koen, regional vertical lead, mining Africa for air and sea at DSV, the mining sector has been under increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices that minimise ecological harm while maximising resource efficiency. In response to these challenges, mining companies are embracing technological advancements to revolutionise their operations.He told Freight News the sector offered increasing potential for logistics companies as Africa remained a crucial area for mining because it contains much of the world’s supply of critical minerals and metals. “Although there are challenges around infrastructure and transport, exploration continues, with major discoveries refocusing attention on Central Africa. Certain countries in the region are positioning themselves as investment destinations with multiple offerings – Zambia, for example, is diversifying from copper to other commodities,” said Koen. While the industry has not been without pressure thanks to the downturn in commodity prices, specifically the platinum group metals (PGM) and nickel, impacting somewhat on expansion and development plans, mining across most of the continent is thriving.“Closer to home, challenges remain in South Africa, with infrastructure such as rail and the recent delays at the Durban port, but on the positive side, there is a commitment from the highest levels to address these issues. However, this created opportunities for other countries to gain attention and development, such as the Lobito corridor that would support the export of commodities via Angola.”In future, Koen said, more partnerships between the government and the private sector were necessary to unlock wealth.“We’ve seen that the market is always changing and that different developments can impact the African industry. At DSV, we remain f lexible in our approach and service offerings from air, ocean, cross-border road and project services to support the mining industry,” he said.Mining activity is expected to pick up thanks to the regulatory certainty that will be introduced through the new mining licensing system.– Gwede Mantashe“
