What do we collectively need to do to take South Africa’s mining industry forward? And how can we do so amid growing – and often conflicting – expectations from a wide range of stakeholders?
These are just some of the questions that Chris Griffith, CEO of Anglo American Platinum, asked the delegates gathered at Mining Indaba 2015 this week.
Modernisation and the need for greater innovation in our industry
During his presentation, Chris outlined his vision to create an improved, transformed and progressive industry to which all South Africans relate positively and without hostility. A modern innovative industry in which South Africa’s youth can build careers, employees can provide for their families and, after each day’s work, return to home safe and sound in stable and flourishing mining towns.
He acknowledged that, since the Industrial Revolution, the debate over the introduction of mechanised and automated processes and their impact on jobs has raged.
“However, it is common cause that better productivity is better for the economy, and ultimately for society as a whole. Jobs don’t get lost – they are created in new areas. With the current state of technology, mechanisation is both possible and affordable; but, moreover, it is a social and economic imperative,” he shared.
可持续mec的结果hanisation
How is mechanisation at Anglo American Platinum reducing emissions, promoting safety and achieving efficiency? Here are a few examples that Chris mentioned:
- The installation of new nickel tank-house technology at the base metal refinery in Rustenburg has improved the work environment by reducing ambient tank house acid mist emissions.
- Large scale fine-grinding technology is used to improve platinum group metal (PGM) liberation and downstream extraction resulting in 3% additional recovery.
- Proximity devices are used to control the safe movement of locomotives. Personnel censors and other sensory and lighting technology are also used to improve safety.
And modernisation doesn’t stop there, Chris believes.
“Modernisation is not just about innovation, new technologies, mechanisation and automated processes. We will only attain our vision of a modern mine if we work in partnership with our employees, government, unions and NGOs.
“This is particularly the case in how we go about upskilling and improving the lives of our current and future workforce. “
在未来,他相信尽管印度河try will have fewer direct jobs, those that remain will require greater skill and offer better pay. Employees will be able to live with their families adjacent to the mine in their towns that have decent infrastructure such as schools, roads, water and medical facilities. This modernisation drive will create jobs in non-traditional areas such as the service industry related to equipment manufacture and servicing.
And this is all part of our ongoingFutureSmart™approach to technology and its potential.
“For South Africa’s mining industry, taking the path of modernisation may be a tough decision, but it’s the only choice we have in a globalised world.”