BAGUIO CITY – South African Ambassador to the Philippines Bartinah Ntombizodwa Radebe-Netshitenzhe underscored that the health and safety of mine workers is everyone’s responsibility but it is also important to keep in mind that the long-term sustainability of mining is dependent not only on its growth, competitiveness and transformation but also on how well its workforce is cared for.
Ambassador Netshitenzhe was one of the keynote speakers during the Community Relations conference of the recently concluded 70th Annual Mine Safety and Environment Conference spearheaded by the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) with the theme Endurance and Invocation towards Sustainability.
She said that to the South African Embassy, the annual PMSEA event is not just another event in their calendar but a testament to ensuring friendship between PMSEA and South Africa’s embassy and the Department of Minerals and Resources.
“Our attendance to this event is also to share and exchange and deepen mining challenges albeit environmental changes and opportunities that it provides for both our nations,” Ambassador Netshitenzhe stressed.
Both South Africa and the Philippines are nations blessed with abundant mineral resources, and each has a rich history and deeply-rooted involvement in the global mining industry. Both the geographical and cultural distances of both nations provide unique perspectives and opportunities for collaboration that can propel the countries towards sustainable and mutually beneficial advancements.
The South African ambassador pointed out that mining has been a fundamental pillar of its economy for nearly 150 years. The said nation is renowned for its deposits of gold, diamonds, platinum, chrome, iron ore and the latest addition lithium as well as other valuable minerals.
Further, South Africa has developed a robust mining sector characterized by cutting edge technology among others.
On the other hand, the Philippines is rich in nickel, copper, gold and other diverse mineral resources. The country’s strategic location and strong governmental push towards responsible mining practices present a conducive environment for growth and innovation.
Moreover, the archipelago’s focus on integrating mining with community development and environmental stewardships provides valuable insights into balancing economic advancements with social responsibility.
According to her, mining technology in South Africa has undergone significant advancements driven by research and development led by State-owned entities like Mintek, the council for geoscience and the council for scientific and industrial research. Major companies have collaborated with the State-owned entities on bioleaching and hydrometallurgy research, geospatial technology, rock engineering research and advanced mineral processing technologies.
She added that the development of automated mining equipment is one area where South Africa has been a leader such as Mintek developed leaching, a process using microorganisms to extract metals from ore. It also improved hydrometallurgical processes for extracting metals from ores and waste materials. Companies like Anglo-American and Sibanye-Still Water have invested in automation and remote operations, enhancing productivity while ensuring safety which demonstrates the country’s ability and capability to forge international collaboration and knowledge exchange.
The ambassador claimed that the Philippines can leverage such technologies to address challenges like deep sea mining and efficient extraction from complex ore bodies.
Netshitenzhe said that South Africa’s mineral wealth is built on the country’s enormous resources, most of which are found in distinctive geological structures and settings. The country hosts a substantial reserve base of industrially important metals and minerals, including 88 percent of recognized global reserves of platinum group metals, 80 percent of manganese, 72 percent of chrome, 32 percent of vanadium and 16 percent of fluorspar among others.
South Africa has estimated the preliminary gross in situ minerals value at $9.6 trillion and an economically exploitable life span of well over 200 years.
She disclosed that significant deposits of lead-zinc ores associated with copper and silver are found in the northern cape near Aggeneys.
She asserted that albeit all the said minerals, the issue of health and safety as a result of environmental challenges, illegal mining remains, hence, South Africa’s partnership, information sharing and attendance of similar gatherings for over a decade as well as participation in global and United Nations initiatives on climate change and hosting of the convention of Parties 16 is a testimonial of the nation’s commitment and dedication to continue to enhance their expertise and improve safety in all their existing mines and all their future mining discoveries.
She emphasized that the health and safety of all persons at mines, particularly the mine workers is important not only because they convert investments into wealth but because the life of a human being is more precious and valuable than the mineral resources sought after.
“South Africa’s premise is that occupational fatalities, injuries and diseases in the workplace are unacceptable. The mining industry must quantify its success through investment in the number of workers who retire in good health and looking forward to sharing the remainder of their lives with their loved ones,” she noted. By Dexter A. See
