• EXCURSION
TALKING TO BERNARD SWANEPOEL : EXPLORING THE REALITIES OF SA MINING , EXTRACTED AT JOBURG INDABA 2024
By Sharyn Macnamara
In exploring the ever-evolving landscape of mining in South Africa , African Mining ( AM ) spoke to Bernard Swanepoel ( BS ), chair of Joburg Indaba , about the insights gleaned from discussions at the event held in October 2024 . Based on his extensive first-hand experience in the industry and continued debate with stakeholders throughout the year across a scope of industry events run by Resources for Africa – and over the past 12 years at this industry-beloved event – Swanepoel speaks candidly about the state of the industry .
AM : Each year , on the eve of the Joburg Indaba , the event celebrates its popular SA Mining Hall of Fame , adding a new inductee . This year two new inductees were selected by previous inductees from a list of nominations made by peers . Can you tell us what you believe the two new inductees – Peter Steenkamp , Harmony ’ s outgoing CEO and executive director ; and Roger Baxter , chair of Southern Palladium and founding chair of the World Platinum Investment Council – have brought to the industry that is unique .
BS : The objective of the SA Mining Hall of Fame has always been to recognise stakeholders who have made a significant contribution to the mining industry . Steenkamp is retiring now after spending most of his 65 years in the mining industry and he has lived through some interesting and challenging times . In the sunset industry that is gold in South Africa today , Harmony has been one of the last standing mining companies , having taken over the gold assets from other mining houses as they have exited . It is thanks to this strategy that the country still has a gold mining industry . Although , South Africa has moved from being the biggest gold producer in the world to the 13th largest now , Harmony – under Steenkamp and his team ’ s leadership – has been a major contributor in terms of employment and gold production in the country .
Baxter had a critical role to play in his nine-year tenure at the Chamber of Mines – repositioning it as the Minerals Council South Africa . People may have forgotten how fractured the relationship was between government and the mining industry in the era of Mosebenzi Zwane – South Africa ' s mineral resources minister at the time . Baxter worked at the chamber of mines , left for Canada , and returned at a crucial time in the history of South African mining and he made a considerable contribution . The title of CEO of the Minerals Council is a very visible , outspoken position to hold , and sometimes it can be unpracticable . The CEO of the Minerals Council must represent the full spectrum of its members , which range from mining majors , significant international companies and junior and emerging miners . Manoeuvring into a position from which one can lobby from in this complex environment is a substantial achievement . Leading the Minerals Council with his team , Baxter was very highly regarded by the subsequent minister , Gwede Mantashe , his industry peers and by his office bearers .
Supplied by Resources for Africa
Bernard Swanepoel , chair of Joburg Indaba .
AM : You have always made it clear that the Joburg Indaba is not just “ a talk shop ”, but that conversation at the event is purposefully candid and constructive to highlight challenges and possible solutions for the industry . What differentiates the conversation at Joburg Indaba ?
BS : This year ’ s Joburg Indaba was our 12th edition . We created this platform specifically because we believed there was a need to have a South-African-focused conversation . Then and now , the Cape Town Investing in Mining Indaba offers a phenomenal event with exhibitions , thousands of visitors , side events and conversations targeting a much broader African agenda , with over 60 politicians attending – and so it ' s a very different conversation . Twelve years ago , we as South Africans had ceased to talk to one another openly on the critical issues – there were always bilateral conversations taking place in ‘ smoke-filled rooms ’ where government met with big business . We believed that these critical conversations should be transparent , particularly in the fractured context of our country at the time . The Joburg Indaba was therefore designed to have one conversation at a time in an open forum , with ALL stakeholders present to address the critical issues relevant to the mining industry in South Africa . The future-facing focus addresses questions like : ‘ What is it that we as a country can and should do now ? What should chief executives of mining companies do ?’ This makes for robust , blunt conversation and sometimes it raises the warmth in the room where debates get heated .
AM : In your opinion , what were some of the tough questions asked this year , were they deflected or answered to your satisfaction ?
BS : The South African culture is one that is generally open and honest – of course I am a South African , so I would say as much . I believe that anybody who signs up to participate in the Joburg Indaba , knows the upcoming conversations will be tough ,
18 • African Mining • January 2025 www . africanmining . co . za