AMN - Mining must adopt innovation - comment by Yolanda Torrisi

The global mining industry needs to explore innovative ways to improve productivity, competitiveness and profitability, and this is no different in Africa. What makes this process more important in Africa is that it will help propel the continent into industrialisation.

Making the mining industry more profitable, means that economic growth can be furthered, according to Dr Markus Thill, president of Bosch’s Africa region, and this would also have positive effects on education and skills development.

He says the introduction of new, modern technologies creates opportunities for high-paying jobs as demand for skilled workers increases. This has been demonstrated throughout history with the First Industrial Revolution being an example. The depletion of coal resources in Europe led to this period of change, which included the use of steam power to mechanise production.

While such profound change usually creates concerns, he says transformation processes also bear opportunities. In the First Industrial Revolution productivity increased, which led to a generation of new industrial wealth and the creation of high-paying jobs.

For the mining industry of today, Dr Thill says the introduction of modern techniques and technologies boosts productivity, reduces costs and leads to improvements in safety.

While electricity supplies have improved in Africa, cost-effective and reliable energy remains a key challenge, particularly for mining and industry. He says addressing this issue will require investment in transmission and distribution infrastructure to ensure that electricity gets to as many customers as possible.

An important advantage of technology is the increased emphasis on safety and while mining has made significant strides in reducing mining-related accidents and fatalities, Dr Thill says technology can take this even further. Progress has been made in this field due to regulators and industry stakeholders stepping in to address the challenge.

While needing to continue to embrace technology, Dr Thill adds that overregulation throughout the continent threatens further growth by increasing the costs and delays.

Yolanda Torrisi is Chairperson of The African Mining Network and comments on African mining issues and the growing global interest in the African continent. Contact:yolanda@yolandatorrisi.com