In the ever-evolving landscape of our industry, a clear understanding of mining's value to society is essential for recognising opportunities and effectively addressing the intricacies and challenges that lie ahead. Our Group Head of Strategy, Paul Gait, has been actively immersed in these discussions, recently participating in three major industry conferences and summits: London Indaba, Joburg Indaba, and the FT Mining Summit. In his interactions with stakeholders from both within and outside our sector, Paul conveyed a resounding message that resonated throughout these gatherings: mining is a pivotal force in the development of our society.
For Paul, this message is simple yet impactful. Underpinned by solid data, it reinforces that we can’t foster economic growth and simultaneously transition to a low-carbon world without a consistent supply of metals and minerals.
"[At all three] events," Paul explains, "there was a noticeable interest from stakeholders in understanding the substantial challenge of transitioning to a low-carbon economy, the intricate dynamics of supply and demand for our metals and minerals, the ambitious goals our industry has set for itself, and how we, as a collective sector, can meet the needs of the modern world."
With over two decades working in the mining sector, Paul has noticed a significant shift in the conversations at conferences: "Since the Covid pandemic and the Ukraine conflict," he reflects, "there has been a noticeable transformation in how we discuss metals and minerals. The focus has shifted towards the urgency and efficiency of supply, the origin of our resources, and the necessity of maintaining our social and environmental licence to operate. We are now tasked with the responsibility of holistically meeting the world's demands while embracing sustainability as an integral part of what we do."
Paul notes the growing importance of technology and innovation in these discussions: “Stakeholders are inherently interested in our journey towards operational efficiency and technology development because it directly relates to our ability to maximise the value of our core business while reducing our environmental footprint and associated costs. Achieving this not only ensures our licence to operate but also builds trust as our sector explores new frontiers."
