Mining Lekgotla tackles challenges

Since its launch in 2012, the lekgotla has become the premier mining think-tank in the sector, and serves to explore key trends and policy shifts in the mining environment.

It sees role players interact with key thought-leaders in confronting critical issues, risks, social pressures and opportunities faced by the sector.
The summit comes against a backdrop of unprecedented labour unrest, changing legislation and rising costs.

Mineral Resources Minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi will officially open the lekgotla, which takes place under the theme, Building on the Contribution of Mining since the Advent of Democracy: The Past We Acknowledge and the Future We Build Together.

President Jacob Zuma said although the sector has faced difficulties in recent times, the future remains very bright.

"Mining is a key job driver and foreign exchange earner for the country and has been the backbone of our economy for decades. We wish the mining sector a successful and productive lekgotla with positive outcomes for the country's economy," said President Zuma on Tuesday.

President Zuma, who was scheduled to be the key note speaker at the event, will miss the event. The President will be attending a mini-summit of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) in Luanda, Angola.

Instead, he will be replaced by the Minister in the Presidency, Jeff Radebe, who will give the keynote address.

The event is a collaboration between the Chamber of Mines of South Africa, the Department of Mineral Resources and the National Union of Mineworkers.

It has been addressed by a number of leading experts and thought-leaders drawn from the political, labour, academic, media and private sector arenas.