There is negligible greenfield exploration taking place in South Africa, a mining country. We know that mining, preceded by exploration, is the world’s greatest economic multiplier. South Africa Inc, thus, really needs to get our exploration going.
Every geologist will tell you that South Africa is still very well endowed, in spite of more than a century of mining. Our economy needs a boost and brownfield exploration must be optimised while we hurry up and get greenfield discovery going as well. Discovery and development are what South Africa has been built on but we can’t rely on past discoveries forever.
Our mines are depleting, which is what mines do, and must be replenished and replaced, which is what exploration does. New critical metals and minerals are there for the taking. Both the mining industry and the regulatory authority need to work together and should spare no expense when it comes to hiring the best. It will be cheap at the price.