The Cape Town Mining Indaba is underway. The event was opened by the city’s Executive Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis who expressed delight at having all the delegates and exhibitors return to the mother city for the 2022 conference.
The mayor disclosed that there were several challenges being experienced by the country that were impacting the mining sector. He identified the failure of the state in taking advantage of the commodities boom. With the current energy crisis in South Africa, the Mayor’s point was not missed.
He urged key stakeholders to fix the infrastructure challenges which are the bedrock of development of the mining industry. Rail transport is an important area the requires urgent attention in South Africa. Furthermore, the energy challenges that have led to rolling black outs have impacted investment in the country.
The mayor is optimistic that South Africa is on the right track in terms of policies that the country is seeking to implement. Issues such as licensing thresholds in the mining sector, state rail reform are among the policy areas that the Government is currently looking into that the Mayor believes will boost private sector investment.