Mining news

It’s time to make morality matter

In support of President Ramaphosa’s recently announced zero tolerance approach to corruption, the Minerals Council of South African1 has called for urgent action to be taken against “those within his government, and those businesses and other citizens who have looted public funds, including funds intended to ease the impact of Covid-19.”

“It’s time to make morality matter,” says South Africa’s Mineral Council as it calls for action against corruption and gender-based violence.

Following the publication of the president’s open letter to ANC members on 23 August this year2, in which he expressed his concern about high-level corruption, Minerals Council CEO Roger Baxter says its value will be measured according to when and how those found guilty will be punished. “Thus far we have seen limited real decisive action, let alone the kinds of prosecutions that could reassure the country that the blatant corruption we have witnessed in the last few months, and in the last decade, would lead to satisfactory outcomes,” he says. “Action cannot equate to yet another commission of inquiry; it means action on the ground.“

“The Minerals Council believes the law enforcement agencies need to be allowed to act independently and need to be capacitated to do so. The National Prosecuting Authority, South African Revenue Service, the Hawks and the various intelligence agencies should be allowed to do their work without fear or prejudice. But it is not just these agencies that need to restore their integrity, it’s all those who serve the country that need to restore the morality on which the Rainbow Nation was built 26 years ago. This applies equally to business: for corruption to occur in government, there is often a private sector counterparty that, equally, must be brought to book. Just as it will take all stakeholders – government, business, organised labour and civil society – to restore our economy, it is going to take a collective effort to ensure this is indeed a turning point in the fight against corruption and a return to an ethical society led by an ethical leadership. This time the pillaging of funds could have cost lives. In this case, corruption is not just criminal, it is a crime against South Africa’s people. South Africa and her people deserve better. It’s time to make morality matter.”

Minerals Council of South Africa launches first-ever National Day of Women in Mining

The Minerals Council has also taken giant strides to address gender-based violence and the advancement of women in the mining sector with the launch of the firstever National Day of Women in Mining on 21 August 2020.

“At present, women make up 12% of the mining workforce, compared to 6% in 2008,” it says. “While regulatory, social and physical barriers have played a part in the slow progress experienced, bold and collaborative action is required to address this issue. This first National Day of Women in Mining seeks to spur the process within the Minerals Council leadership, in mining company boardrooms and within mining companies themselves, and to put the advancement of women firmly on the agenda. Every year the industry will come together in August to take stock of progress. The Minerals Council has adopted a similar approach to that being used to address safety and health, which is considered a fundamental priority every day, for women in mining. The stretch targets set and agreed by Minerals Council members are to ensure that we at least double the percentage of women in mining by 2025 and ultimately work towards 30% to 40% women representation across the industry and 50% in management over the next decade.”

Neal Froneman, Minerals Council Vice President, and Women in Mining Champion, noted that this initiative was not something that was targeted only at women, but also at men at all levels of the industry. “I call on the leaders of our industry – in companies, within organised labour and within the regulator – to lead this change for the betterment of our industry and our society.”

Mr Froneman also urged all mining industry leaders and employees not to forget the very real hardships faced by women in mining and in communities every day, especially as a result of gender-based violence. He urged everyone – men and women alike – not to simply be bystanders, but to report and stop gender-based violence and harassment both at work and at home. The three pillars driving women in mining in the current context – governance, communication and action – are supported by six priority initiatives, which focus on the development of an organisational structure and dynamic communication strategy; the public celebration of women in mining Covid-19 heroes; ensuring a commitment from member companies to deliver on the seven foundational measures; the defining role of women in our Covid-19 response; and the integration of inclusion of best practices in mining modernisation.”

Further: “The Women in Mining Task Team is working towards seven key foundational measures which we hope to see in place by the end of 2020 – reaffirming zero tolerance for gender-based violence through the Stop Abuse campaign; developing gender diversity and inclusion policies; providing a reporting system for gender diversity issues; initiating unconscious bias training to transform culture; deploying ongoing company-wide pulse check surveys; building an inclusive physical environment; and supplying PPE (personal protection equipment) specifically designed for women.

1. MCSA – link: https://www.mineralscouncil.org.za/

2. Read the letter in full: https://ewn. co.za/2020/08/23/read-the-full-letter-ramaphosasent-to-the-anc-on-corruption