AFRICAN BUZZ
SOUTH AFRICA:
A TOUGH YEAR AHEAD
With the failing of South Africa’s state-owned enterprises, a
tough economy and slowdown in the mining and construction
industries, owners and investors in the surface mining
industry should take heart that the industry still holds many
opportunities for those who remain committed.
This is according to surface mining industry association, ASPASA,
director, Nico Pienaar, who believes that the difference between
success and failure in the surface mining industry mostly relates
to the attitude of the owners and employees of the company
rather than the state of the economy, diminishing commodity
prices or rising costs.
With members across the country, he says that as many
companies are thriving as those that are failing. While they
face the same odds as their peers, those who are thriving are
most often the ones who have a positive outlook, participate
in the association’s training and other initiatives, and those
who constantly strive for ways of doing thing differently in a
changing economy.
“There are undeniable factors that can influence the success of
a business, but a positive approach and never-say-die attitude
can still go a long way towards steering a company in the right
direction. And, we have noticed that while some companies
had been scared-off by negative reports, many of our members
choose to take the lead from their own experiences and
situations, rather than hinging their expectations on media
reports or public sentiments.
“Based on these experiences I have compiled an informal list of
traits that I have noticed sets many of the top performing mines
apart from the struggling ones. This is the Top 10 list of actions
that can be taken to make 2020 a great year:
There is a tough year ahead for South African companies, especially
junior and small scale miners.
www. africanmining.co.za
African Mining Publication
• Remain positive and adopt a can-do approach towards
reaching company objectives;
African Mining
African Mining March 2020
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