CAPE TOWN, Feb 6 (NNN-SANEWS) — President Cyril Ramaphosa says mining companies should invest in development where they mine and in their employees in order to make a meaningful contribution to the areas in which they operate.
He said companies should invest in the health and safety of their workers, in the infrastructure where their operations are such as roads and water, and also invest in skills and education.
These are some of the 10 principles that President Ramaphosa shared with mining captains of industry when he addressed the Investing in African Mining Indaba at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
“We firmly believe that mining companies have the resources, the capabilities and an interest in more deliberately contributing to development, both where they are located and across society.
“Mining companies have an opportunity to create broader social value in a way that also enhances the success of their business,” he said.
The President challenged the mining industry to adopt 10 value creating principles for a more modern, successful and productive mining industry.
He said it has been shown that companies that care about the upliftment of workers and communities are more successful.
“We live in a world where people no longer want to have things happen around them without their knowledge and involvement. They want to be engaged and have their views heeded.
“Companies, government and labour must work together to create shared value and ensure the benefits of mining are more widely spread.”
The President said the industry should partner with local authorities to improve infrastructure such as water and roads in the areas where they operate. Such infrastructure is critical for the effective functioning of mines, and too often companies and municipalities do not coordinate their work or even operate at cross purposes, President Ramaphosa said.
The President said companies need to see investment in the living conditions of their workers as more than a regulatory obligation.
“Through, for example, building decent houses for workers, companies can ensure workers are much more productive and can demonstrate their commitment to build sustainable working communities. Such social investment is an important part of the effort to end the the dehumanising effect of the migrant labour system.”
He said mining companies need to invest in education and training. The President lauded companies that are far-sighted enough to set up early childhood education centres, as well as those that are helping to develop hardcore skills that are needed now, such as mining engineering, metallurgy and artisan training.
“We urge companies to embrace the recommendations of the ILO Global Commission on the Future of Work, in particular the commitment to a lifelong learning process. This involves skilling, re-skilling and up-skilling to equip workers to manage the work transitions that will result from technological advances.”
The President said mining companies should partner with training colleges and also contribute to the development of curricula and providing work experience for students.
He said this will, among other things, ensure that companies can draw on a pool of well-trained graduates with relevant skills and experience. — NNN-SANEWS
