Successful ways of integrating social responsibility and sustainability into the corporate agenda are topics under discussion in the global mining industry – so the high-calibre, dedicated Forum entitled Sustainable Development at Mining Indaba presented in collaboration with the International Council on Mining & Metals (ICMM) promises to be for the 20th annual event, says Managing Director Jonathan Moore.

“We anticipate robust and thought-provoking sessions as we have drawn speakers from civil society and international financial organisations as well the mining industry,” he says. These include: Mutuso Dhliwayo, Executive Director of the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association and Co-ordinator of the UN-backed Pillars of Practice Project in the Zimbabwean mining sector; Mike Loch, Director, EHS Strategic Initiatives, Motorola Solutions Inc and co-chair of the Conflict Free Sourcing Initiative; Meg Taylor, Vice-President and Compliance Advisory Ombudsman at the World Bank’s IFC and MIGA ; Elaine Dorward-King, Executive Vice-President of Sustainability and External Relations at Newmont Mining Corporation; and Tyler Gillard, Head of Project, Legal Adviser at the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development.

Oxford University professor and renowned macro-economics and political commentator Dr Paul Collier will discuss the implications of sustainable development with ICMM Deputy President and Senior Program Director Aidan Davy in a prequel session on Tuesday, February 4. Davy will also set the scene and sum up at the Sustainable Development Forum proper on Mining Indaba’s final day, Thursday, February 6. This timing enables participants and delegates to draw together threads of preceding discussions into the sustainability context and take the debate forward.

Giving the keynote address at the Forum in Cape Town’s International Convention Centre is Former Archbishop of Cape Town and Founder of Africa Monitor Njongonkulu Ndungane. Following this are two high-level panel discussions: one on moving from conflict to resolution between mining and communities; the second on global trends and challenges in responsible sourcing of materials. “We are delighted at the balance and integrity of the forum topics and high-level speakers thanks to the transparent process of their selection through the advisory committee set up together with our forum partners, ICMM,” says Moore. Mining Indaba is also an opportunity for the industry to contribute positively, points out Moore. Over the past five years, Mining Indaba has generated R336 million for the local Cape economy and contributed to creating more than 3 750 direct and indirect jobs.

“The significance of a 20th Mining Indaba is a direct example of 20 years of post-apartheid in South Africa. Mining Indaba represents a benefit of what a country can do when it tears down its walls and allows the world to experience all the riches it has to its offer. In this spirit, we are focusing on giving back in 2014.  ,” says Moore. , the Mining Indaba Bursary Programme will increase from R192 000 (its launch value in 2013) distributed to two students to R300 000 supporting four students in 2014. Second, a contribution to R25 000 to a local Cape Town education charity will provide underprivileged children with the basic necessities to continue their studies.  Beyond education, Mining Indaba is collaborating with the Els for Autism foundation and Els Wines for its 9th annual Golf Tournament. 

A portion of the proceeds from the golf tournament will go to the Els for Autism foundation “Over the past 20 years, SA’s political transformation has also seen rapid transformation in many ways in the mining sector. The Sustainable Development Forum at the 20th Mining Indaba in 2014 indicates how today’s mining investors are ready to adapt energetically to changes and look more holistically at opportunities.”
For more details on the Sustainable Development at Mining Indaba programme visit www.miningindaba.com