RDJ Briefing - April 2023

ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY

POBox23738 Windhoek, NAMIBIA Telephone +264817503010

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RDJ Consulting Services CC is an advisory consultancy to the Energy, Water and Transport Sectors with a focus on sustainable operations and renewable energy.

FROM THE EDITOR

MINING TODAY!

WelcomeDearReader!

WelcomebacktotheRDJBriefing(EnergyandSustainability)andourApril2023edition

Miningcontinuestodriveourglobaladvanceswhilealsoimpactinglivesnationallyandlocally Ido believe that in this month's edition, our team has brought you interesting topics and research on topicalmatterssurroundingtheMiningsectoraswellasothereconomicsectorsinAfrica.

Interestingly for you is the special coverage in the energy sector by myself and Vetumbuavi Mungunda of Ombu Capital These articles take a quick look at the impacts of resource finds and technologicaladvancesoneconomies

Withsomethingforall,theYouthasalwaysarefeatured!Onthatnote,wewouldliketomakeyou aware of our Youth and Finance Expo and Public Discussion, set to happen on May 10th, 2023 in Windhoek,Namibia,attheCountryClubandResort.

Everyone is welcome to this event but a special invitation is being extended to the Youth, particularlythosebasedinNamibia Kindlyfollowoursocialmediaaccountsforfurtherinformation orreachouttousatbusdev@rdjpublishingafricaor+264817503010

Hopeyoufindthiseditioninformativeasusual,andwecontinuetoencourageyoutofollowusand engage with us on all our social media accounts As always the conversation continues at briefing@rdjpublishing.africa.

Yours, editor@rdjpublishing.africa

NOTE:Wewelcomelettersandarticlesfromreadersgloballyandrequirethatyouprovideyourfull details such as name, current address and contact phone/WhatsApp number as well as email We howeverreservetherighttoamend,modifyorrejectsubmissions Youmayalsorequestthatyour detailsbewithheldfrompublication.

NOTE:TheRDJBriefing(EnergyandSustainability)ispublishedmonthlyandisFREEtoReaders.The magazine is paid for by advertising and support from RDJ Consulting Services CC, Windhoek, Namibia

(DavidA.Jarrett) Editor

Authors RDJInterns*

E C O N O M Y A T L A R G E

Extending Africa’s Mining Value Chain - Can we?

AUTHOR: Chilombo (Olga) Priscila EconomicResearcher/Statistician@ RDJ Consulting

The alternative energy boom has its clear demands for raw materials to help in the fight against climate change and to help develop a sustainable

lifestyle. Africa has significant quantities of essential minerals and metals that are needed to manufacture batteries for energy storage both on and off-grid, electric vehicles (EVs), and of course other technologies. These materials include cobalt, manganese, phosphorus, Lithium, iron, copper, and graphite They are considered “green” resources due to their role in reducing carbon emissions in the energy and transport sectors

The global demand for these “green” metals and minerals is on the rise, especially as pointed out in the intro, that the world is battling climate change impacts and aiming for global net-zero carbon emissions by 2050

The growing demand is now creating a massive potential sellers’ market for those in possession of the resources although at times market trends defy true economic theory of supply and demand

In fact, The International Energy Agency has predicted that demand for most minerals essential to the clean energy transition will increase by a factor of four (4) to six (6) It further reports that for some minerals, the increase will be exponential, so that by 2040, graphite demand will increase by 25 times, and Lithium by 42 times if current and predicted demand levels remain true

Despite being endowed with the much-needed resources for EV batteries, African countries however, struggle with adequately managing them to the benefit of their people and the economy Much of the global reserves of critical

Courtesy:MartinaJanochováfromPixabay

minerals required for manufacturing EV batteries are in South Africa (manganese, nickel and platinum), Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) (cobalt), Zimbabwe (Lithium), Mozambique (graphite) and Zambia (copper) While these minerals are mined in Africa, the actual valueaddition work such as smelting, refining, cell assembly and ultimately energy storage and EV production takes place outside the continent Africa thus loses out on higher returns and on job creation that occurs from participating in value creation.

The 2023 African Mining Indaba that took place in Cape Town, South Africa addressed the matter by discussing ways in which the continent can grasp the chance to develop its green minerals to its own advantage In the same vane, individual African countries have also begun to take a stand in better managing and protecting their invaluable resources, to better incur all benefits along the value chain of producing these minerals.

On 20 December 2022 under the Base Minerals Export Control Act, the Zimbabwean government announced that it would be banning the exportation of Lithium as a raw mineral with immediate effect This decision was driven by the fact that Zimbabwe had been losing 1.7 billion euros from the exportation of Lithium as a raw mineral instead of processing it into batteries in-country. As a result, mining companies are now required to either set up local processing plants to expand the value chain incountry or provide proof of exceptional circumstances signed by the government before exporting Lithium from the country

The government of Zimbabwe reported that it has the largest amount of Lithium in Africa, so much so that it can supply a fifth of the world’s needs With continued high international demand for Lithium, Zimbabwe is projected

to become one of the world’s largest Lithium exporters, with the government hoping to meet 20% of the world’s total demand for Lithium annually when it fully exploits its known Lithium resources In 2021, Zimbabwe’s mining sector contributed about 16% to the national GDP, and so the government also expressed its desire to start its own battery industry to boost its economy and bring about more benefits to its people.

Apart from the move of individual countries, the United States (US) Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment - Jose Fernandez, said at the Africa Mining Indaba that:

“the US launched the Mineral Security Partnership (MSP) with 11 other developed nations in 2022 to ensure its miners maintain high standards of environmental and social protection and governance, and invest all along the supply chain so that African countries derive the greatest benefit ”

What else do you think African countries can do to ensure that their people benefit the most from its resources? Talk to us at briefing@rdjpublishing.africa

Readings:

https://www.ntu.edu.sg/cas/news-

events/news/details/electric-vehicles-africa-s-batteryminerals-and-gvc-opportunities

https://issafrica org/iss-today/mining-for-energy-africa-mustseize-the-green-moment

https://miningindaba com/home

https://www africanews com/2022/12/29/zimbabwe-bans-allLithium-exports//

https://www state gov/under-secretary-jose-w-fernandezskeynote-remarks-at-indaba-miningconference/#: :text=The%20International%20Energy%20Agenc y%20%5BIEA,and%20Lithium%20by%2042%20times.

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10 April 2023

AUTHOR: David Jarrett RDJGroupChiefExecutiveOfficer

Namibia: Progress in Oil

Back in 2018, we looked at the Oil and Gas sector And how it has been an exclusive, powerful “club” of which Namibia had only dipped its toes via the

Kudu Gas project It was also noted at the time that the provision for this dominance is market driven with there being more oil-consumer countries than oil producers.

Many oil and gas explorers have come and gone since Namibia’s Independence in 1990 NAMCOR[1] indicates that the first wells were explored in the 1960’s[2] Interestingly enough, the indications pre-2022 from the news releases of the various companies that have attempted to explore wells so far, indicate that the southern coastline emanating from the South African Border favours gas, while venturing further north towards Angola should yield oil.

The Kudu Gas project which is still to be commercially utilized is noted to have a quantity of gas equivalent to 1 3 TCF and a recoverable gas probability of 50% This will be hopefully utilized in the Kudu Power Project of a megawatt size now committed in the order of 420MW planned phase 1 and 400mw planned phase 2 which is to be confirmed with more experience with the reservoirs.

The search also takes place on land Reconnaissance Energy Africa Limited (ReconAfrica) is engaged in the exploration and development of oil and gas in Namibia through its exploration activities in Namibia in 2018 This is via a license to operate in the Kavango sedimentary basin, covering an area of approximately 25 341.33 square kilometers (sq. Km). It currently owns 90% of the exploration license, while NAMCOR owns the remaining 10%

According to ReconAfrica, the license’s period comprises three phases, of which the last ends on 29 January 2024 or if the need arises for an extension, until 29 January 2026. As of April 3, 2023, ReconAfrica announced as a result of recent data from the ongoing phase two 2-D seismic program, a significant new play type has been confirmed in the southern and western parts of the Company’s ~6 3 million acres exploration licence area in Namibia – PEL 73

With the arrival of 2022 however, Namibia is well on its way to attracting more oil investments due in no small part to the recent (2022 and 2023) oil finds off the southern coastline These finds are listed as:

Qatar Energy, light oil discovery in the Jonker-1X deep-water exploration well drilled in the PEL-39 exploration license, offshore southern Namibia Total Energies, light oil with associated gas on the Venus prospect,

located in block 2913B in the Orange Basin, offshore southern Namibia

Shell, light oil with associated gas on the Graff-1 prospect, located in block 2913A in the Orange Basin, offshore southern Namibia

Why is it such a big deal?

Namibia with a land mass of some 825,000 square kilometers and a population of approximately 2 5 million people coupled with an unemployment rate of 33%, is welcomed news The current highest employment sector is agriculture at around 70% with low-income levels.

Some Analysts believe that these finds can be a lifeline for Namibia through boosts to the economy estimated by others to be up to US$ 11 billion, boosting the economy and creating jobs (Rystad Energy) These finds could see several sub-contracts being taken up by Namibian companies and specialists which would not only create/provide jobs but also enhance experience and skills.

Coupled with Namibia’s clear steps towards Hydrogen, Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, was selected as the preferred bidder for the development of Namibia’s first green hydrogen project Namibia will receive millions in concessional fees from the developer which will further help the country deliver economic development and energy poverty reduction.

Is Namibia on the right track? The conversation continues editor@rdjpublishing.africa

Please note that nothing in this article is intended to infer investment advice and should not be relied on.

Namcor: https://www.namcor.com.na/contact/ Media Relations: presse@totalenergies com

ReconAfrica Media Inquiries Email: media@reconafrica com

Readings:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-0621/-jackpot-oil-discoveries-may-help-namibia-doublegdp-by-2040#xj4y7vzkg

https://energycapitalpower com/namibia-region-oilgas-exploration/

https://www brookings edu/blog/africa-infocus/2022/01/29/africa-in-the-news-major-oil-andgas-discovery-in-namibia-coup-detat-in-burkina-fasoand-covid-update/

The dreaded “Dutch Disease”: Economic Impact Avoidance

in the face of Oil discoveries and Green Hydrogen.

AUTHOR: Vetumbuavi Mungunda FounderofOmbuCapital

Seventy percent (70%) of Namibia’s livelihoods depend on the two rural sectors of Agriculture and tourism, yet these sectors contribute only 5-7% to

the country’s GDP

The afore explains the high level of poverty and inequality in Namibia with a Gini coefficient index averaging 59 1, the 2nd most unequal society in the world behind only South Africa.

Namibia has an unemployment rate of 33% with the highest number of unemployment being amongst people with qualifications at junior secondary schooling and below Our national budget allocation to agriculture, land reform and water amounts to a paltry 2 45% of total budget (including the development budget) or only 1.57% excluding the development budget. This is especially unjustifiable when viewed against the 7.6% we spend on Defence Further, this is a far cry from the target allocation to Agriculture of 10% as per the Malabo declaration by African Heads of States

Are we not suffering from the Dutch disease already seeing the above data points?

Recent oil discoveries made off the coast of Namibia and developments relating to green hydrogen point to a promising future for Namibia We should congratulate our leaders to getting our country at the leap of the most promising economic future since independence However, these discoveries also require decisive planning to prevent us from falling (or digging deeper) into the traps experienced by other countries when discovering oil, crowding out other sectors into oblivion.

There is a historical structural impediment hampering local small businesses from creating linkages into the formal economic system, resulting from strong barriers to entry for local start-ups, small businesses and the majority of our semi- and unskilled employment force The formal economy is sophisticated and capitalintensive, and unable to absorb or integrate the informal, small enterprises and semi-skilled workforce. It is therefore imperative that Namibia prepares for these discoveries and the emergence of the green hydrogen sub-sector by deliberately creating internal competencies, legislative and regulatory reforms that would maximise benefits from these resources whilst at the same time working to integrate local, rural, small enterprises into the value chains.

To ensure maximum benefits from these resources require that the following areas are prioritised:

Comparative Review of the Petroleum Act, Model Petroleum Agreements and ancillary regulations against model countries to identify opportunities for improvement.

·Comparative Review of the Petroleum Taxation Act and the projected Government Revenue model and Revenue percentage take-out against model countries for insights and opportunities for improvement Development of Financial Models depicting forecast Government Revenue based on current legislation and regulations, whilst presenting scenarios based on key value-drivers.

·Identification of key risks arising from Profit shifting, Transfer pricing, related parties’ transactions and contracts process manipulation, followed by Proposals on key institutional, governance and oversight arrangements necessary to mitigate these risks

The areas of focus to prevent Dutch disease syndrome will require:

Analysis of the potential oil & gas and green hydrogen value-chain linkages into the local economy, with strong emphasis on opportunities for increased local and transformation beneficiation and key policy recommendations

· Local content policy has to be developed that will assess the capacity of local enterprises and skills sets of locals and develop targeted skills and capacity development programmes well ahead of the time before these sectors come into production The above skills and capacity development programme will need to be supported by the finalisation and enactment of laws and regulations especially relating to NIPFA, NEEEB, local skills development programmes and adjacent industry skills gap analysis & mitigation measures.

The question is what are some of the support industries and services for the petroleum and green hydrogen sectors and how can an entrepreneur and average Joe make sure they participate. Most critically, how is average Joe going to be supported to ensure that he or she participates.

Some of the goods and services with potential linkages into these sectors include supply of goods and services (pipes, etc), Maintenance & repairs, Engineering, Sampling, Accommodation, Cleaning, Professional services (Legal, accounting, marketing, etc), Catering, Security & Safety, Spares & warehouses, Transport &

logistics, Chartering services, Fuelling & bunkering, Geological, R & D laboratories, Docking, etc

It is important that every effort is deployed today to assess our capacity so as to create linkages into these new sectors. That requires that an undertaking is completed urgently for the mapping of the downstream sector linkages, Assessment of capacity & gaps, Development of plans to close gaps followed by the Development of regulations to enforce these plans

The reality is that most of our unemployed citizens do not have the skills and experience to participate in these two new sectors. We need to be deliberate about integrating the two most rural sectors of agriculture and tourism, which have the potential of absorbing many Namibians into the formal economic system and particularly these two new sectors’ value chains

That means leveraging technologies and using proceeds from these sectors as investment to uplift rural communities into a thriving ecosystem. Unless we act decisively today, the alternate scenario will worsen inequality, unemployment and urban migrations. Until we act intentionally, our current Dutch disease could grow into a full-blown pandemic at the proportions of Covid

Is Namibia on the right track? The conversation continues editor@rdjpublishing.africa

It is an investment and advisory firm with a focus on the rural economic sectors of agri-business and tourism.

Mr. Mungunda is the holder of:

• B. Com (Unam)

• HDipAcc (Rhodes)

• Chartered Accountant (Namibia),

• Chartered Accountant (South Africa)

• AMP (Harvard Business School)

M I N I N G

A Real Mining Fuel

AUTHOR:CaterpillarInc (NYSE:CAT)

Originallyextractedfrom www caterpillar com/en/news/corporate-press-releases/

Courtesy: CaterpillarInc

IRVING, Texas – Caterpillar Inc (NYSE: CAT) announced [on 22 November 2022,] a successful demonstration of its first battery electric 793 large mining truck and a

significant investment to transform its Arizona-based proving ground into a sustainable testing and validation hub of the future.

Caterpillar completed development of its first battery electric 793 prototype with support from key mining customers participating in Caterpillar’s Early Learner program Participants of the program with definitive electrification agreements include BHP, FreeportMcMoRan, Newmont Corporation, Rio Tinto and Teck Resources Limited.

The Early Learner program launched in 2021 and focuses on accelerating the development and validation of Caterpillar’s battery electric trucks at participating customers’ sites This approach supports the individual commitments each Early Learner participant has made to reduce and eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from their operations. A primary objective of the program is for Caterpillar to collaborate more closely with its customers as the industry undergoes transformational change through the energy transition

“Our global team came together to develop this battery truck at an accelerated pace to help our customers meet their sustainability commitments,” said Resource Industries Group President Denise Johnson “This demonstration is a significant milestone, and we are excited for these trucks to get to work at customers’ sites around the world in the near future.”

RioSimpsonRiver(Courtesy:ImagebywirestockonFreepik)

Early Learner customers came together to witness a live demonstration of Caterpillar’s prototype battery truck on a seven-kilometer (4.3-mile) course. During the event, Caterpillar monitored over 1,100 data channels, gathering 110,000 data points per second, to validate simulation and engineering modeling capabilities Fully loaded to its rated capacity, the truck achieved a top speed of 60 km/h (37 3 mph) The loaded truck traveled one kilometre (0 62 mile) up a 10% grade at 12 km/h (7 5 mph) The truck also performed a one kilometre (0.62 mile) run on a 10% downhill grade, capturing the energy that would normally

be lost to heat and regenerating that energy to the battery Upon completing the entire run, the truck maintained enough battery energy to perform additional complete cycles.

Mine Site of the Future

The prototype truck was built at Caterpillar’s Tucson Proving Ground, located in Green Valley, Arizona. In support of the energy transition, Caterpillar is investing to transform the proving ground into a working, sustainable “mine site of the future” by installing and utilising a variety of renewable energy sources The objective is to implement the same sustainable solutions mining companies will use at their own operations to learn firsthand what it takes to run an electrified mine site and effectively support customers through the changes.

“The transformation of the Tucson Proving Ground allows Caterpillar to demonstrate our energy transition commitments and serve as a stronger advisor to customers as we navigate the changes together We know it will take an integrated, site-level solution for miners to achieve their carbon-reduction goals, and we’re here to help as they redefine the way they mine for generations to come,” emphasised

Johnson

As part of the site transformation, the company will

install the latest advancements in sustainability technology, including green hydrogen production, natural gas and 100% hydrogen reciprocating engine power generation, fuel cell power generation and expanded energy storage systems. The site will also leverage a variety of renewable power sources, including wind, solar and hydrogen, capable of powering the facility and its products as they become electrified The transformation of the facility will also serve as a learning platform for optimising charging and energy management integration

About Caterpillar

With 2021 sales and revenues of US$51 0 billion, Caterpillar Inc is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For nearly 100 years, we’ve been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reducedcarbon future Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed Caterpillar does business on every continent, principally operating through three primary segments – Construction Industries, Resource Industries and Energy & Transportation – and providing financing and related services through our Financial Products segment Visit us atcaterpillar comor join the conversation on our social media channels

Courtesy: CaterpillarInc

Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release relate to future events and expectations and are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 Words such as “believe,” “estimate,” “will be,” “will,” “would,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “forecast,” “target,” “guide,” “project,” “intend,” “could,” “should” or other similar words or expressions often identify forwardlooking statements All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding our outlook, projections, forecasts or trend descriptions These statements do not guarantee future performance and speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements. Caterpillar’s actual results may differ materially from those described or implied in our forward-looking statements based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to: (i) global and regional economic conditions and economic conditions in the industries we serve; (ii) commodity price changes, material price increases, fluctuations in demand for our products or significant shortages of material; (iii) government monetary or fiscal policies; (iv) political and economic risks, commercial instability and events beyond our control in the countries in which we operate; (v) international trade policies and their impact on demand for our products and our competitive position, including the imposition of new tariffs or changes in existing tariff rates; (vi) our ability to develop, produce and market quality products that meet our customers’ needs; (vii) the impact of the highly competitive environment in which we operate on our sales and pricing; (viii) information technology security threats and computer crime; (ix)

inventory management decisions and sourcing practices of our dealers and our OEM customers; (x) a failure to realise, or a delay in realising, all of the anticipated benefits of our acquisitions, joint ventures or divestitures; (xi) union disputes or other employee relations issues; (xii) adverse effects of unexpected events; (xiii) disruptions or volatility in global financial markets limiting our sources of liquidity or the liquidity of our customers, dealers and suppliers; (xiv) failure to maintain our credit ratings and potential resulting increases to our cost of borrowing and adverse effects on our cost of funds, liquidity, competitive position and access to capital markets; (xv) our Financial Products segment’s risks associated with the financial services industry; (xvi) changes in interest rates or market liquidity conditions; (xvii) an increase in delinquencies, repossessions or net losses of Cat Financial’s customers; (xviii) currency fluctuations; (xix) our or Cat Financial’s compliance with financial and other restrictive covenants in debt agreements; (xx) increased pension plan funding obligations; (xxi) alleged or actual violations of trade or anti-corruption laws and regulations; (xxii) additional tax expense or exposure, including the impact of U.S. tax reform; (xxiii) significant legal proceedings, claims, lawsuits or government investigations; (xxiv) new regulations or changes in financial services regulations; (xxv) compliance with environmental laws and regulations; (xxvi) the duration and geographic spread of, business disruptions caused by, and the overall global economic impact of, the COVID-19 pandemic; and (xxvii) other factors described in more detail in Caterpillar’s Forms 10-Q, 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission

Courtesy: CaterpillarInc

Did you know?

Australia is the world's largest lithium producer, accounting for nearly half of global production in 2021. )

Quick Facts

1. Bolivia,ChileandArgentina(the“lithiumtriangle”) havethelargestestimatedresources,withnearly50 milliontonnesoflithiumbetweenthethreecountries.

2. Africaisamajorproducerofmanykeymineral commodities,withbountifulreservesofmetalsand mineralssuchasgold,diamond,cobalt,bauxite,ironore, coal,andcopperacrossthecontinent (Statista,2022)

3. ThemajorminingcountriesinAfricaareDemocratic RepublicofCongo(DRC),SouthAfrica,Namibia,and Zimbabwe.(Statista,2022)

4. TheDemocraticRepublicoftheCongo(DRC)isthe countrywiththelargestminingexplorationbudgetin Africa.(Statista,2022)

Courtesy: RDJ Consulting

E L E C T R I C I T Y

How Water Powers the World

AUTHOR: Florian Zandt DataJournalist@Statista

HydropowerShare (Courtesy:Statista)

Discussions about the relevance and viability of renewable energy are often limited to solar and wind, two types of power sources that have risen

to prominence since the turn of the century. Hydropower and its role in certain countries' electricity generation are often overlooked, even though even so-called developed nations like Norway, Austria and Canada generate sizeable shares of their electricity via hydropower plants As our chart based on data from BP and Ember collated by Our World in Data shows, Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean, in particular, rely heavily on water power

For example, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lesotho or Ethiopia generated almost 100 percent of their electricity with hydropower in 2020 The latter started construction on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam in 2011, a project expected to produce 5 15 gigawatt once finished, making it the biggest dam on the continent

In the southern half of the Americas, Venezuela's electricity mix consisted of 82 percent water power owed in no small part to the Guri dam with its installed capacity of 10 2 gigawatts Ecuador, Guinea, Costa Rica and

Panama also primarily rely on hydropower for electricity with shares of 78, 71 and 66 percent, respectively

When looking at the total energy mix, hydropower takes a backseat to emission-heavy fossil fuels In 2019, it amounted to a share of just seven percent worldwide, according to Our World in Data. Due to the high reliance on oil and gas for heating and transport, it's unlikely this centuries-old power source will become a contender in primary energy generation Generating power via methods like hydroelectric dams also has other drawbacks Funneling rivers into reservoirs can impact the habitats of some aquatic species and upset the balance of river ecosystems, as well as necessitate rehoming of residents dependent on said rivers.

This piece is the work of the Author and STATISTA https://www.statista.com

It is carried here as an info piece and RDJ Publishing Pty Ltd has reproduced it in the interest of being informative and cannot verify the content.

https://www.statista.com/chart/28032/share-ofelectricity-generated-through-hydropower-per-country/

W A T E R

Water and Mining Standards

AUTHOR: David Jarrett RDJGroupChiefExecutiveOfficer

Without a doubt, water is life! As a result, there is literally no human activity that can survive without it. Access to clean drinking water and

sanitation worldwide is a challenge and is acknowledged as such by the United Nations (UN) amongst others and falls squarely under SDG 6 The UN estimates that as many as one in three people (33%) are still affected by a lack of safely managed drinking water, and two out of five people (40%) do not have access to adequate handwashing facilities.

Africa is stated to hold 65% of the world’s arable land and some 10% of the world’s fresh water Thus, it is not surprising that Africa is considered attractive for investments including mining In mining, water is used for making solutions, washing away gravel and sand, transportation, dilution, cooling and dust control. Hatch (www.hatch.com) describes water as critical to the mining industry!

Thus, with mining being in generally remote, and sometimes water-stressed areas, the mining and metals industry has an important role to play in facilitating change by developing and implementing sustainable water management solutions that benefit not only the mining operation but also people and the planet. Climate Change experts also express that with global temperatures rising, high numbers of individuals will be affected by drought, most notably from some of the already poorest countries in the world possibly resulting in famine and malnutrition

Noting these effects and impacts, Governments as identified by The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), are in the position to establish regulations and policies that require monitoring and reporting of water impacts from mining entities Water use and water quality standards are needed and enforced so that mining does not negatively impact communities

Through what can only be termed as a collective action, International Council on Mining and Minerals (ICMM) members have signed on to the ICMM Mining Principles to apply strong and transparent water governance; manage water at operations effectively; and to collaborate to achieve responsible and sustainable water use This can be deemed “proactivity”

Understanding the need for action, several mining establishments have interacted with community water needs through “swapping”, increased water harvesting, and reduced water use strategies Here are some example extracts from Mining that help us better understand what they do:

South Africa: Utilising mine-impacted water for local farming in Mpumalanga

Large portions of land that could be used for farming are located near sources of mine-impacted water In making remediated mine water available to farmers in the region, Glencore is directly benefiting local communities, while also reducing shared pressures on freshwater resources.

Large portions of land that could be used for farming are located near sources of mine-impacted water In making remediated mine water available to farmers in the region, Glencore is directly benefiting local communities, while also reducing shared pressures on freshwater resources.

DRC: Creating access to fresh water for local communities at the Kibali Gold Mine At the Kibali Gold, Mine operator, Barrick developed and delivered on a plan, alongside local communities, to drill more than 100 new boreholes and upgrade many more to provide ready access to potable water for the communities closest to their operations

Peru: Utilising water for mining and local farming at the Quellaveco Copper Mine in

Using this low-quality water for mining purposes frees up other better-quality water for agriculture The Quellaveco site also captures excess rainwater in its Vizachas dam, which it shares with local communities, to increase shared access to high-quality water

Chile: achieving 100 percent seawater use at Minera Centinela

By using 100 percent seawater, the mine site also contributes to Antofagasta Minerals’ goal that more than 90 percent of the water used in its operations will be from the sea or recycled sources by 2025

Do you think governments and mining houses could do more? The conversation continues briefing@rdjpublishing.africa or write to the Editor. All views welcomed.

Readings:

https://www hatch com/AboutUs/Publications/Blogs/2020/06/Sustainable-watermanagement-in-mining-a-global-imperative https://www icmm com/en-gb/casestudies/2023/itacaiunas-river-basin

https://www.unicef.org/laos/stories/ending-opendefecation-cleaner-and-healthier-villages https://www icmm com/en-gb/casestudies/2022/environmental-stewardship/mining-withprinciples-at-wonderfontein-colliery https://www publish csiro au/ebook/chapter/97806431 03283 Chapter 10

https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2022-02/watermonitoring-mining-sector-framework.pdf

T H E E N V I R O N M E N T

Mining Stocks: Environmental Responsibility

AUTHOR: David Jarrett RDJGroupChiefExecutiveOfficer

The Toronto Stock Exchange Venture Exchange (TSXV) plays a significant role in the mining sector as a leading stock exchange for junior mining companies in Canada TSX Venture Exchange is a stock exchange in Calgary, Alberta, Canada that was originally called the Canadian Venture Exchange (CDNX). It resulted from a merger between the Vancouver and Alberta stock exchanges TSX Venture Exchange also has offices in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal

The TSXV's listing requirements are less stringent than the main Toronto Stock Exchange, making it a more accessible option for junior mining companies. Junior mining companies are small to medium-sized firms that typically explore, develop, and operate mining projects.

The TSXV provides a platform for these companies to raise capital by listing their shares for public trading The exchange's requirements are focused on ensuring disclosure and transparency, which helps protect investors and maintain market integrity.

Mining companies listed on the TSXV benefit from a range of advantages, including increased visibility, access to capital, and exposure to a wide range of investors, including institutional and retail investors The exchange also provides a regulatory framework and a suite of services to assist companies in meeting their reporting and compliance obligations.

How the TSX affects the Environment

TorontoStockExchange(RudySulan/GettyImages)

The listing of a mining company on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) itself does not directly affect the environment However, the mining activities of the company will have environmental impacts regardless of how minimal, and the TSXV has policies and regulations in place to ensure that companies listed on the exchange meet certain environmental standards.

The TSXV requires mining companies to comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations and to disclose any material environmental risks associated with their projects. Companies must also provide information on their environmental management practices, including their plans for managing and mitigating environmental impacts.

The TSXV also encourages companies to adopt sustainable practices and to consider the long-term environmental and social impacts of their activities The exchange has published guidelines on sustainability reporting, which provide guidance on the disclosure of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) information by listed companies.

TSXV in African Mines

The TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) is an international stock exchange that welcomes companies from around the world, including Africa. Several mining companies with African operations are listed on the TSXV, providing them with access to capital and a platform to showcase their projects to a global audience

The TSXV has specific listing requirements for companies

with operations in foreign jurisdictions, including Africa. These requirements focus on ensuring that companies comply with local laws and regulations and have appropriate risk management practices in place to mitigate risks associated with doing business in these regions. Companies must also disclose any material risks associated with their operations in foreign jurisdictions, including environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks.

Mining companies operating in Africa face challenges related to the environment, including compliance with local environmental regulations and managing the potentialimpactsofminingactivitiesonlocalecosystems and communities. The TSXV requires companies to disclose information about their environmental management practices and impacts, as well as their efforts to engage with local communities and stakeholders

The TSXV also encourages companies to adopt sustainable practices and consider the long-term environmental and social impacts of their activities This includes efforts to minimize the environmental footprint of mining operations and support local communities through job creation, infrastructure development, and otherinitiatives

How do you feel about environmental responsibility in mining?Letusknowat editor@rdjpublishing.africa

Readings:

https://www tsx com/resource/en/701

https://www investopedia com/terms/t/tsxventureexch ange asp

TEL:

info@rdjconsultingcoza CONTACT US:

wwwrdjconsultingcoza

To make a difference in the Energy & Sustainability landscape

RDJ Consulting is a 100% Namibian Energy and Sustainability Consultancy with more than 30 years’ experience in the utility (Water, Energy and Telecoms), rural development and transport sectors. Our experience as an integrated professional services firm that builds better communities through planning, design, and delivery of physical and social infrastructure helps support our clients in all aspects going forward

We approach each of our clients with fresh eyes to develop customized, unique strategies.

RDJ Consulting based in Windhoek, Namibia has extensive experience in Southern Africa, Asia, Britain, USA and the Caribbean. We thus work with various governments and agencies to address development issues in developing countries

Power Trip: SA’s imperative and the continent’s other energy crisis

Enlit Africa 2023 proposes to tackle the toughest questions around power, and as a result, has attracted energy experts from almost 90 countries

From 16 to 18 May 2023, Africa's most influential power, energy and water conference and exhibition, Enlit Africa, will take place at the CTICC in Cape Town With South Africa’s energy crisis entering its darkest period, the thought that consultants, analysts, developers, and experts from every related sphere of influence will be coming together offers some hope

” Considering that we’re expecting more thaWheeling and dealing Large power users across South Africa are taking the security of supply into their own hands, taking advantage of updated policies and regulations to generate their own power Multiple business cases for the implementation of generation and supporting storage will be explored at the conference, fostering an understanding of how the addition of each business case changes the return on investment for each business n 4000 delegates and over 180 speakers drawn from 87+ countries, from academia and start-ups, independent power producers, government and municipalities, utilities, service and solution providers, the regulatory and EPC sectors, and more It is extremely exciting,” says Chanelle Hingston, Group Director:Power & Energy of VUKA Group, the organiser

“Enlit Africa 2023 is certainly more relevant than ever before as South Africa goes through a serious reckoning as to the future of electricity supply in the country,” says David Ashdown, CEO of VUKA Group, the organiser.“There is a definite sense that we’re facing an imperative and the world’s top energy professionals are coming to Cape Town to apply their minds to the multi-dimensional, multi-sectoral energy transition, which is our theme for 2023 ”

The energy transition is more than just an energy issue - it impacts multiple sectors including transport, the production of alternative fuels and the intersection between energy and water among other things Increased production of energy via renewable energy offers a chance to electrify many sectors currently reliant on fossil fuels.

“Our current electricity crisis actually offers us a chance to explore the opportunities that a truly competitive energy sector, driven by renewable energies, could mean for South Africa's economy and future, and the legacy we leave as custodians of the planet,” notes David Ashdown, CEO of VUKA Group “This is also a chance to step up and lead the energy transition in Africa ”

There will be two keynote sessions, two strategic conference tracks (the Main stage and the Strategic stage), and two practical conference tracks (a Renewable energy and storage hub, a Generation, T&D, and water hub). Content to be covered across the various rooms includes generation, renewable energy, finance/investment, distribution, transmission, hydrogen, metering and revenue management, mini-grids, IT/ICT and, importantly, energy storage.

“Energy storage is a technology that promises to bring the full benefits of renewable energy to fruition,” says Ashdown “It is more than just an opportunity to store energy for later use – it is a technology that allows additional benefits across transmission and distribution networks as a means of improving power quality, addressing load demand challenges and network stability ”

Wheeling and dealing

Large power users across South Africa are taking the security of supply into their own hands, taking advantage of updated policies and regulations to generate their own power Multiple business cases for the implementation of generation and supporting storage will be explored at the conference, fostering an understanding of how the addition of each business case changes the return on investment for each business

There will also be a Municipal Forum, where multiple municipalities will come together to explore how their efforts to drive local economic development can be supported by changes in the power landscape in South Africa.

“The ability to wheel power across municipal electrical networks will make municipalities more attractive to businesses for whom wheeling is a consideration, encouraging local employment and bringing in additional revenue to the municipality through wheeling arrangements,” Ashdown explains “By purchasing excess power from some of these large power users for local distribution, municipalities can also ensure energy security for their district, prioritising service delivery to consumers ”

Enlit Africa 2023 has been around for 23 years and was formerly known as African Utility Week and POWERGEN AFRICA. A game-changing event, it brings the top energy-driven companies, institutions, and government leaders together to shape the energy future of Africa

The programme also includes multiple opportunities to network or attend a variety of site visits and product launches; and an expo with 368 exhibitors, including international pavilions for Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, India, Taiwan, and the USA.

As Ashdown says, “Enlit Africa really offers everything you need to see and everyone you need to meet in one place.”

Africa’s other energy crisis

When we hear the words ‘energy crisis,’ we South Africans immediately think ‘load-shedding’ But there is another issue, which really should be the focus for Africa for the next seven years – we need to ensure that we clear up as much of the energy access deficit as we can We need to prioritise the 700 million people on the continent who have no access at all to modern energy resources

“That is another reason that I’m so heartened to see the large number of delegates we’re expecting. We need to stand together as a continent, we need to learn from one another, and we know Enlit Africa provides a vehicle for real interAfrican collaboration,” concludes Ashdown

ABOUT ENLIT AFRICA

Enlit Africa 2023 has been around for 23 years and was formerly known as African Utility Week and POWERGEN AFRICA

A game-changing event, it brings the top energy-driven companies, institutions, and government leaders together to shape the energy future of Africa

A leading energy conference and exhibition, Enlit Africa is designed to provide a unique platform to connect decisionmakers and shape the future of the industry. Enlit Africa is a conference with a purpose, dedicated to building a more sustainable and equitable energy future for Africa

Delegates will have access to:

• A solution-focused expo floor with more than 250+ Exhibitors

• Knowledge hubs filled with strategic content from over 180 industry thought leaders and pioneers

• Unparalleled networking opportunities and much more!

For more information, please visit the Enlit Africa website at https://enlit-africa.com/ or contact our team at info@enlitafrica com

Enlit Africa is an investment in Africa’s future It takes place from 16-18 May 2023 at the CTICC, Cape Town, South Africa The event is CPD accredited by the SAIEE, which means that in addition to the valuable insights and knowledge attendees will glean, it also contributes to the professional development of industry professionals

ABOUT VUKA

Vuka Group brings people and organisations together to connect with information and each other in meaningful conversations to reach the next level of growth in their industry ecosystem

With >20yrs of experience in Africa, the group serves the Energy, Mining, Smart Mobility & Transport and Retail sectors, through a range of industry touch points across digital, print and in-person platforms With a commitment to data at its core, the group is well-positioned to support industry stakeholders today and into the future Operating from Cape Town, South Africa the group is actively involved in projects across continental Africa and boasts a diverse African team who take great pride in the work they do for the sectors and markets they serve

R O A D S A N D T R A N S P O R T

Lithium - Decarbonizing the Transport Sector

TheNewMotion:ElectricityCharged Courtesy:News18com

As seen already in the section of this Publication on the Economy, Lithium has become one of the most in-demand commodities in the world today due to its significant role in the clean energy transition. According to the World Bank, by 2050, global production of critical minerals used in low-carbon technologies is projected to rise by 965% for lithium, 585% for cobalt, 383% for graphite, 241% for indium, 173% for vanadium as the clean energy transition continues.

The problem - Emissions in the transport sector

The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that in 2021, the Transport sector accounted for 37% of CO2 emissions globally, making it stand out ahead of any other end-use sector in terms of emissions due to its high reliance on fossil fuels as its energy source.

AUTHOR: Chilombo (Olga) Priscila EconomicResearcher/Statistician@ RDJ Consulting

The IEA further indicates that to get on track with Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario, CO2 emissions from the sector must fall by about 3% per year by 2030 This calls for a review of the sector’s uptake of CO2-emitting substances, and also to look out for other alternative fuels to reduce emissions.

Electric vehicles

A widely discussed alternative fuel is electricity! Electric vehicles (EVs) have proven to be a key technology to the decarbonizing of road transport. The IEA reported that record EV and clean energy deployment are contributing to a significant reduction in CO2 emissions in 2022. By providing more improved range, wider model availability, and increased performance, the sale of EVs has exponentially grown over the past few years In total, the IEA reports that there have been 16 5 million electric cars sold in 2021, and this number is projected to keep increasing, which will in turn reduce emissions contributed by the sector. This scenario becomes even better with the use of Renewable energy as the source of electricity!

1990s, providing an even faster charging ability in comparisontolead-acidbatteries.

Li-ion batteries are helping manufacturers replace combustion engines powered by fossil fuels in conventional automobiles. Apart from EVs, lithium batteriesarealsousedinmanycommercialandindustrial goods such as smartphones and computers, backup power for telecom-base stations and data centers and, in space, as the power sources for earth-orbiting and interplanetarysatellites.

Cost/Benefit

The IEA also reported that in 2021, the use of EVs displaced around 0.3Million barrels of oil per day, and instead, consumed about 50TWh of electricity, which accounts for less than 0 5% of current total final electricity consumption worldwide Even with the current high electricity prices, EVs remain the most cost-effective choice over time, according to analysis by the IEA In order to be in step with the global Net Zero goals, the Agency estimates a need for EVs todisplacemorethan7Millionbarrelsofoilperdayin2030.

The high costs, use and increasing demand for lithium raise questionssuchas;

wherewillalltheneededlithiumcomefrom? atwhatcost?

What other developments are happening around you that aim at decarbonizing the transport sector? Lets talk at briefing@rdjpublishing.africa

Readings:

As the world shifts to clean energy, especially through electric mobility, lithium has become a critical component in high energy-density rechargeable battery manufacture due to its high electrochemical potential Lithium is the lightest metal in the world, with a muchhigher energy density than other metals. This makes it even more ideal for battery production. Battery makers anticipate that lithium-ion batteries will keep dominating the industry as they are now becoming more affordable than when they first came to the market in the early

https://www worldbank org/en/news/feature/2019/10/07/cha

nging-mining-practices-and-greening-value-chains-for-a-lowcarbonworld#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20World%20Bank's,17 3%25%20for%20vanadium%20by%202050

https://www iea org/reports/electric-vehicles

https://www.un.org/development/desa/dpad/publication/fron tier-technology-issues-lithium-ion-batteries-a-pillar-for-afossil-fuel-free-economy/

https://qz com/why-zimbabwe-has-banned-the-export-of-rawlithium-1849918099

To function as an electric vehicle, we need not only electricity, but good batteries as well, and this is where lithium joins the discussion!

I C T & T E L E C O M M U N I C A T I O N S

DarkFibre-WhatIsIt?

AUTHOR: Chilombo (Olga) Priscila EconomicResearcher/Statistician@ RDJ Consulting

Telecommunications require faster and faster service speeds. Currently, businesses are shifting to fibre rapidly as fibre offers higher bandwidth

and faster speeds over longer distances. According to IBISWorld, the fibre-optic cable manufacturing industry has already reached $4 billion over the last five years

With more and more people depending on fibre-optic cables, its demand is on the rise, and so dark fibre plays a significant role in providing the needed waste and cost reduction associated with continuously laying down fibre-optic cables whenever an upgrade is needed.

When it comes to fibre optic cables, you may hear terms such as “lit fibre” and “dark fibre”, but what does this really mean, and what is the relevance of dark fibre in the “networks” market? Before we go in depth discussing dark fibre and its relevance in the networks sector, let us first understand that lit fibre essentially refers to fibre optic cables that are currently in use by a service provider to transmit data. The fact that it is “lit” is because the fibre carries light signals through particular pathways referred to as modes, which enable the light to travel down the fibre The light is needed in the fibre for illumination as well as communications

Dark fibre on the other hand, is a well-known term among network providers and operators The term “dark” simply refers to the fact that the fibre is “unlit” Hence, dark fibre is essentially spare optic cables installed underground, saved for use in future, when the need for greater bandwidth arises.

Who can use and benefit?

Contrary to purchasing bandwidth or leased line on an existing network, Dark Fibre network is under the complete control of the client to use it for Internet access and communications, unlike lit fibre which is operated and maintained by the network provider This, therefore, means that anyone can acquire dark fibre once it is available, however, businesses and other organizations are more likely to get the most out of dark fibre bandwidth, since they have a higher demand for their internet As a result, dark fibre ensures that businesses will have almost complete control over their network

infrastructure

Other organizations that can use and benefit from dark fibre are governments, institutions, schools, e-commerce, and retail companies. These particular organizations require fast and secure internet capabilities due to the transmission of large files of sensitive data

Let us now take a look at some of the benefits of dark fibre…

While you can never be too careful, dark fibre networks are one of the best ways to safeguard organizations from harm through the gain of full control over their own networks. This is much needed to organizations that deal with highly confidential and sensitive information, as well as those who require real-time information such as financial services, retail or healthcare

Dark fibre’s limitless capabilities further enable businesses to manage capacity and scale as needed. This is good for businesses with large data requirements like media, manufacturing and banks. And, for those wanting to take advantage of Cloud and VoIP capabilities, having a reliable network makes all the difference

In brief, dark fibre is attractive to businesses due to the following

High performance and low cost - one has the ability to increase their bandwidth whenever needed at lower cost (no laying of cables) and avoid unexpected costs related to breaches and data loss.

Ownership - one has full control of the fibre-optic network

Flexibility and Scalability - one has control over the capacity, making it easier to scale Those with seasonal needs have access to the capacity they need – both higher and lower – and can control it themselves without the intervention of a Service Provider and the associated costs and timescales.

Security and reliability - having a dedicated route and control over the network, means that one can control any foreign attempts to join your network, and so remain detached from any unwanted traffic

What about potential “hidden” costs?

As much as dark fibre seems to be less costly at the time of use, the reality is that there is an initial “hidden” cost charged for it when laid on the ground However, this cost is made up from the civil engineering work required to lay the fibre – especially when requesting a bespoke route. Even then, without the civils, a business needs to purchase and manage the equipment at both ends of the fibre too. The good news is that this cost could, however, be justified in the fact that the capacity is near limitless, meaning businesses using this service do not need to pay to scale up each time

Other shortcomings of dark fibre

Another shortcoming is the need for expertise on network management due to private ownership of the system Also, dark fibre is not always available in rural areas. In fact, you’re more likely to find dark fibre in government entities, cities, and large corporations in urban areas.

Conclusion

Dark fibre therefore plays a significant role in the networks sector, especially today when demand for more secure and fast internet service is on the rise

Talk to us about the presence of dark fibre in your country. The conversation continues at briefing@rdjpublishing.africa

Readings:

https://neosnetworks com/products-services/darkfibre/what-is-dark-fibre/

https://ipwithease com/what-is-dark-fibre/

https://www fieldengineer com/blogs/what-is-dark-fibre https://www makeuseof com/what-is-dark-fibre/ https://www.ufinet.com/why-dark-fibre-how-this-internetcould-change-your-life-for-the-better/ https://www volico com/the-difference-between-lit-fibreand-dark-fibre/

NAMIBIA CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY SAFETY WORKSHOP

The Namibia Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has launched a programme of safety initiatives as part of the implementation of the State Safety Programme and in compliance with the targets set out in the National Aviation Safety Plan 2023-2025. One of these initiatives is the introduction of safety workshops for aviation stakeholders to promote important safety topics and safety culture

These safety events have been developed by the NCAA Safety Promotion and Quality team (SPQ) who manage the State safety data collection and processing system (SDCPS) enabling extraction of safety trends and focus areas. This includes figures from the national occurrence database including incidents, accidents, hazards, findings, and safety recommendations These databases feed important safety issues into the forefront of NCAA’s attention for addressing during stakeholder events such as these workshops.

The first safety workshop was held in Windhoek at the NCAA head quarters on the 16th May 2022 and included 25 participants at the event and another 40 online participants online. The second safety workshop was held on the 29th September 2022, with 50 participants attending along with 15 online, at the Atlantic Villa Guesthouse and Conference Centre in Swakopmund.

NCAA has successfully implemented the MS Teams platform to ensure the events can be hybrid and thus cater for many more people that the limited spaces available for in-person events. The MS Teams platform allows anyone with a browser and the link to attend and does not require any installation of software like alternatives such as Zoom.

NCAA plans these workshops to be an annual event and the first workshop for 2023 is planned for April 27th at NCAA headquarters auditorium from 0900 to 1600 including lunch. This is a free safety event, open to all those involved or desiring to be involved in aviation

Those who wish to attend should please contact the NCAA SPQ department on spq@ncaa.na, it is important to book your seat, or to obtain the link for virtual attendees.

WOMEN IN INDUSTRY

Interview with Ms. Sandra Seabela

Sandra Seabela is a mining engineer working as a SectionManagerataremoteminesiteforKumba

IronOreinSouthAfrica,havingstartedhercareerincoalmining.

A graduate of University of the Witwatersrand, Sandra was the youngest person to win the Standard Bank Rising Star award in the mining and minerals category in 2015, while working at Glencore’s Optimum Coal. Sandra represented IWiM at international mining conferences in Dubai and Switzerland in 2019, presenting on women in mining and mining technology topics.

How did mining come to you? How did you choose mining as a career?

A family friend visited my family when I was in Grade 10, with a brochure from Mintek [the South African government-owned minerals research institute] and there was an article on career opportunities: I liked the sound of a mining engineer. I liked the fact that it was not every girl/woman’s first career choice. The opportunities that were available then for women who were “brave” enough to take up those careers inspired me to take this path.

Please describe your current role.

I am a Section Manager in a large iron-ore open-pit mine in the Northern Cape province of South Africa I am responsible for drilling and blasting operations The biggest chunk of my role is to ensure the health and safety of teams working in the section, ensure compliance to legislature, ensure quality blasts for efficient downstream processes, and deliver all of this at the most costefficient and profitable manner

What is your experience of being a woman working in the mining sector?

My experience has been a beautiful adventure, full of lot of lessons that go beyond the business of mining I have learned a lot from people of different cultural, educational and social backgrounds

What are you passionate about in your work?

Sharing my experiences from the mines I have worked in and the learning from the diverse team of people I work with My biggest passion is in coaching and sharing best practices with my teams to drive excellence in our work

Have you had mentors and sponsors that helped you on the way?

I have a number of mentors who were very instrumental and helpful in different stages/phases of my career to date

In return, I have a number of protégés in mining with whom I gladly share my experiences with the hope of helping them in their careers

What challenges have you experienced by virtue of working in an industry that is predominantly male? Do you feel you have had to adapt to ‘fit’ the industry?

The biggest challenge was when I started off as a graduate and had to go underground with a team of men as old as my father, and had to lead them with very limited experience. It took confidence and fast-paced learning to get comfortable with doing it, and also the comfort of knowing that each experience is a lesson and I will get better at it.

You have had the honour of representing IWiM at two international mining conferences in 2019. Please tell us about these presentations and their impact. ThesewereveryempoweringexperienceswhereIgottonetwork with people from all over the world. It was also my first time visitingacountryoutsideofAfrica.

My presentation at the Mining Show held in Dubai focused on achieving new lows and reducing production costs with technologyintheSouthAfricanminingindustry.Thepresentation sparked an interesting discussion on how technology advancementshaveenabledtheindustryto

A republication of an article/Interview carried by International Women in Mining and graciously carried here in the spirit of highlighting gender successes.

improve its safety performance and the opportunity it further createsinthejourneytoZeroHarmmilestones.

I also presented on the role played by women in mining in the South African industry at the 14th Session UNECE Group of Experts on Coal Mining Methane, held at the United Nations in Geneva. The presentation opened the audience to the challenges and opportunities of women in mining and there was commitment from the audience to ensure that gender transformation forms part of the agenda of their annual conference.

Should more women be encouraged to do public speaking and would you like to do more public speaking in the future?

More women should be encouraged to do public speaking as it is a platform for us to speak up on issues that we want addressed as women in mining. I would be more than happy to speak more in the future.

What would you love to do next?

I would love to gain experience on the corporate side of the mining business to match it up with my operational experience.

What is one thing you wish you’d been told when you were starting out that you know now?

That it is a going to be a journey full of interesting experiences, some pleasant and some not, but they will all help me grow into the person I am today and want to become

What is the biggest mistake that you’re really happy you made?

The “mistake” of taking an opportunity that looked like a demotion,buthassetmeupforbettercareeropportunities The magicofstartingover

What is the biggest mistake that you’re really happy you made? The “mistake” of taking an opportunity that looked like a demotion, but has set me up for better career opportunities The magic of starting over

Do you sit on a board? If not, would you like to? No Yes, I would like to

What is your opinion in the women on boards’ debate? Are you pro quotas or against them?

I am all for representation of women in all spheres of the mining business and I am happy that there are targets set to assist companies to create opportunities for women to participate. I know that women bring a significant amount of value to teams they are part of and, when they are given an opportunity, they excel.

Do you believe women in mining groups can help to change the image of the industry and make the sector more attractive to women?

Yes, I know they make mining look and feel more accommodating and they provide networking platforms with like-minded people.

Any advice to young women starting out in their careers? What do you wish you’d know when you were 25?

My advice is to first love what you do and work hard to achieve excellence in your work. I wish I knew that passion will take you to places where talent/skill may not reach.

What is your secret to work–life balance?

To plan and focus on each aspect of your life as if it’s the only one you have

Do you have any books that you can recommend for professional development?

These books have helped me in my professional development:

1 Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg

2 How to win friends and influence people by Dale Carnegie

3 Lift as you rise by Bonang Mohale and

4 Boardroom dancing by Nolitha Fakude

5 Smart Woman by Sylvia Walker

What books are you currently reading?

Mainly biographies and self-help books

Have you any hobbies, pastimes, or secret talents that you would like to tell us about?

I love travelling – mostly the outdoor and adventurous and extreme activities I also love baking and making things: I can make beads to wear and simple clothing items

Mrs. Tahi Pauline, Senior Metallurgist at the Agbaou Gold Operations Process Plant, Ivory Coast. Submitted by: Marie Laure N’Guetta

Youth In Action In the Face of Uncertainty: Youth Revival

By Ms Kina Indongo (Communications Specialist)

The future of African youth in the mining sector is both promising and challenging The mining sector in Africa is theorised to continue growing in the

coming years, with increased investment and demand for minerals and metals driving job opportunities and economic growth

As with all sectors of society, there exist several challenges facing young Africans today Despite the potential for innovation and entrepreneurship in the mining sector, many young people in Africa face barriers to starting their own businesses These emanate from limited access to financing to a general lack of mentorship opportunities Starting a mining-related business or investing in mining activities often requires significant capital, which can be difficult for young people to obtain, especially if they lack collateral or credit history. This contributes to limited opportunities for entrepreneurship.

Additionally, financial constraints can also limit access to education and training, as the mining sector often requires specialised higher learning and skills Not only is

the barrier and challenges in the form of limited access to financing, regulatory challenges, and a lack of support networks also add to the mix Another challenge and concern for youth are health and safety risks that the mining sector due in part to dangerous working conditions and exposure to hazardous materials. These pose a significant risk to workers' health and safety particularly in unregulated mines and mining operations in politically unstable African states

Added to the health and safety risks are the environmental impacts of unregulated mining activities These impacts include soil and water contamination, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity. Young people are often more aware of these environmental issues and may be more likely to demand more sustainable and responsible mining practices These challenges hinder their ability to fully participate in and benefit from the speculated growth

In order to have a fighting chance at harnessing the potential of the sector, there needs to be greater investment in education and training, as well as policies

DesignIndaba®,CapeTownDesignWeek®andSouthAfricanDesignWeek®areregisteredtrademarksofInteractiveAfrica

and programs that support entrepreneurship, innovation, and social responsibility for young people in the industry This includes promoting access to education and training programs, supporting the development of sustainable mining practices, and creating opportunities for young people to participate in decision-making processes and influence policy and practice in the sector.

Revolutionizing the mining sector

Additionally, young people in Africa could be the key to revolutionizing the mining sector. One such example is Kenyan Engineer and Entrepreneur, Roy Allela, who developed a set of gloves that can translate sign language into speech These gloves could be particularly useful for miners who are deaf or hard of hearing, as they could improve communication and safety in the workplace Even more so in the noisy environments that mines contain.

There are many young African entrepreneurs who are developing new technologies and solutions to improve

efficiency, safety, and productivity in the mining sector. Young people therefore can play a key role in advocating for policies and practices that promote sustainable and socially responsible mining, as well as in influencing the decisionsofgovernmentsandminingcompanies.

Overall, the future of African youth in the mining sector will depend on how well these challenges are addressed and how effectively opportunities are created to support their participation and contribution to sustainable and sociallyresponsibleminingpractices.

Readings:

Bryceson, D.Fahy (2014) Youth in Tanzania’s Urbanizing Mining Settlements: Prospecting a Mineralized Future . WIDER Working Paper 2014/008 Helsinki: UNU-WIDER https://www designindaba com/articles/creativework/roy-allela-invents-tech-translates-sign-languageaudio

https://www weforum org/agenda/2015/03/the-futureof-mining-in-africa/

https://www afdb org/en/news-keywords/miningindustry

TENDERS & CAREERS

DATES: 15MAY-06JUNE

The University of Namibia

Description: The University of Namibia invites you to submit your best quote for the following: Acquisition of a frame tent and 1500 plastic chairs for UNAM events. Specifications: 1. Free-standing heavy duty frame tent with PVC Covers: Capacity to seat around 2 000 people in addition to a large open area for a stage (anticipated size of tent based on capacity calculator – 40 x 50 m), No interior poles to obstruct views, A scaled seating layout to be provided to confirm capacity 2 1500 plastic chairs (black or white)

Bid Closing Date: 15 May 2023

Description: Quotations are hereby invited for the following: Supply and delivery of 50 new 240 litre wheelie bins to the University of Namibia main campus Specifications: 1 Colour: Black bin with red lid; 2 Dimensions: - Height: 106cm; - Width: 58 x 73cm; - Weight: 12kg Delivery: Delivery shall be 14 days after acceptance/issue of Purchase Order.

Bid Closing Date: 15 May 2023

NamWater

Description: NamWater is inviting registered and reputable firms to submit bids for the following procurement: Supply and delivery of NamWater Corporate wear, promotional items and corporate gifts for a period of 24 month. Please confirm the closing time as it was not published.

Bid Closing date: 06 June 2023

Description: NamWater is inviting registered and reputable firms to submit bids for the following procurement: Supply and delivery of laptops and desktop computers Please confirm the closing time as it was not published.

Bid Closing date: 06 June 2023

Description: NamWater is inviting registered and reputable firms to submit bids for the following: Refurbishment of pedestrian and vehicle bridges for the Ogono Oshakati canal refurbishment project (part 1 & 2)

Bid Closing date: 16 May 2023

DATES:26APRIL-28 APRIL

Bank Windhoek

Position: Digital Content Specialist

Closing Date: 28 April 2023

Position: Branch Manager

Closing Date: 27 April 2023

Position: Senior Credit Officer

Closing Date: 28 April 2023

Old Mutual

Position: Personal Lines Underwriter

Closing Date: 27 April 2023

Position: Senior Actuarial Supervisor

Closing Date: 28 April 2023

Position: Finance Consultant

Closing Date: 28 April 2023

Position: Salaried Financial Advisor

Closing Date: 26 April 2023

Oshakati Premier Electric

Position: Head of Information Technology

Closing Date: 28 April 2023

Swakop Uranium Position:

Superintendent: Maintenance (Central Workshop)

Closing Date: 27 April 2023

Position: Officer: Remuneration & Benefits

Closing Date: 27 April 2023

Position: Planner: Maintenance

Closing date: 27 April 2023

Position: Senior Engineer: Projects (Civil/Structural)

Closing Date: 27 April 2023

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