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ining and politics in Africa are two completely different
disciplines. However, in the bigger scheme of things,
they are joined at the hip. What happens in the mining
industry in Africa, has a significant impact on the politics
and the economy of the resource-rich countries on the
continent. On the other hand, politics affect mining. Good politics
encourages foreign mining companies to invest, while bad politics has
the opposite effect.
Although the mining industry is modernising rapidly, some things are likely
to stay the same. Mechanising a traditional deep underground platinum
or gold mine in South Africa, for instance, seems to be as difficult as
breaking down established patrimonial political networks in some African
countries. The old saying of the more things change the more they stay the
same, is apt for the politics of countries like South Africa and Zimbabwe
(in particular), just as much as it is for changing the way we mine. Mining
needs a fresh approach, and mechanisation and automation shouldn’t be
the holy grail. Yes, it’s the central axis around which modernisation rotates,
but external factors surrounding the mine can have as big an impact on
the operation as internal operational issues or new technology.
The politics and regulations in a host country, for example, are far more likely
to make or break an early development project than the intended mining
method. But change is likely to meet fierce resistance as those visionaries
that have attempted to change the status quo in both mining operations
and politics can attest to.
problems in the aftermath of years of misrule and looting of state coffers. In
both, change has come and gone, but things remain the same. Zimbabwe
and South Africa have huge mining potential, but in both, corruption, greed
and a lack of political will are holding back not only the mining industry, but
development of the entire region.
Perhaps it is time to admit that mechanising historical mines is not worth
the money or effort, but that building new mines from scratch, in which
mechanisation and automation is part of the development from the start, is
real progression and modernisation. The problem is that in both countries,
politics has prevented exploration and the building of new mines.
The same applies to politics. The historic liberation movements in
South Africa and Zimbabwe have failed dismally in becoming modern,
progressive political parties and governments, and in the process their
economies have suffered, and with it the mining industry. But it’s not too
late for change. The question is: are the voters of Zimbabwe and South
Africa ready to take the risk?
Leon
This month’s African Mining wears a new jacket, and in the first issue of
African Mining (Incorporating Mining Mirror) we look at how Zimbabwe
has gone from almost basket case to complete basket case, and how its
neighbour, South Africa, is desperately trying to adapt to change, and how it
has affected the mining industry.
In both countries, the junior mining sector will play a critical role in
rebuilding fragile economies. The political and economic risks, however,
have simply become too high for junior or mid-cap miners to invest. The
junior mining sector will not flourish, and investors will stay away, as long
as there is uncertainty about ideology, vision and legislation, and concerns
about electricity, corruption and infrastructure.
Zimbabwe has been on a slippery road forever, but
business in the country is feeling the pinch now more
than ever. South Africa is grappling with immense
www. africanmining.co.za
African Mining Publication
African Mining
African Mining September 2019
1