CEO TALK
Executives discuss mining in Africa
An extraordinary amount of work goes into operating a successful mine. Dineo Phoshoko speaks to executives from five mining companies with operations across Africa to discuss what makes working on the continent unique, what the challenges are, and the impact of Covid-19, among others.
Cobus Loots is the CEO of Pan African Resources
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frica’s geological potential has made the continent an attractive location for the development of mines. The continent is home to a variety of minerals in high demand across the world.
Pan African Resources Pan African Resources is a mid-tier Africafocused gold producer with a production capacity in excess of 170 000 oz of gold per annum. The company owns and operates a portfolio of high-quality, low-cost
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operations and projects located in South Africa. CEO Cobus Loots speaks.
In your view, what makes mining in Africa different compared to the rest of the world? Cobus Loots Mining in South Africa is better positioned than in many other parts of the continent, given the availability of electricity, infrastructure, and mining support industries. However, our mines are more labour-intensive and less suited to mechanised mining when compared with other countries. This has a bearing on productivity and costs of production.
What would you say is the most challenging thing about operating in Africa? Currently, all of Pan African Resources’ operations are located in South Africa, namely in the Barberton and
