Mining’s call for collaboration

According to Coetzee, collaboration is one of the key levers to success and progression of the African mining industry. Managing the forthcoming growth in demand for African minerals whilst prioritising social impact and sustainability is impossible alone – all stakeholders need to be engaged for the sector to exploit the upcoming opportunities.

Effective collaboration can lead to sustainable and responsible mining practices, improved socio-economic outcomes, and shared benefits for all stakeholders involved.

African Review (AR): Why is the mining industry so susceptible to working in silos?

Johan Coetzee (JC): The mining industry is often susceptible to working in silos. This is due to several factors: 

1. Diverse commodities, business models and operations: 
The mining industry encompasses diverse commodities, approaches to extraction and associated business models. Each of these is underpinned by many different technical teams and expertise. This complexity can lead to a fragmented approach, where each company focuses solely on their specific commodity or business without considering the broader impact or collaborating effectively with other organisations.

2. Geographically dispersed operations:
Mining operations and the industry are spread across vast geographical areas, including remote locations. This physical separation can hinder effective communication and collaboration between different organisations, even between co-located companies, leading to siloed working environments.

3. Specialised knowledge and expertise:
The mining industry requires specialised knowledge and expertise in the fields of geology, engineering, etc. Each organisation believes that they possess unique technology and technical practices, making it challenging for different companies to collaborate effectively.

4. Safety and regulatory compliance:
Safety is paramount in the mining industry, and regulatory compliance is heavily enforced. This focus on safety and compliance can sometimes lead to a siloed approach, as organisations may prioritise their own safety protocols and compliance requirements without considering the broader industry goals or sharing best practices with others.

5. The competitive nature of the industry:
The mining industry is highly competitive, with companies striving to gain a competitive edge and protect their intellectual property. This competitiveness can create a reluctance to share information, collaborate, or engage in open communication with other industry players, leading to silos.

6. Historical practices and culture:
Siloed working environments may be deeply ingrained in the historical practices and culture of certain mining companies. Long-standing hierarchical structures, lack of cross-functional collaboration, and limited knowledge-sharing traditions can contribute to maintaining silos.

Overcoming these challenges requires a shift towards a more collaborative and integrated approach within the mining industry. Encouraging open communication, fostering a culture of collaboration, implementing cross-industry steams, leveraging technology for enhanced connectivity, and promoting knowledge-sharing initiatives can help break down silos and improve overall efficiency and effectiveness in the industry.

AR: What are some of the challenges that could be avoided by cross-industry collaboration?

JC: Cross-industry collaboration in the metals & mining industry can help overcome various pitfalls and challenges. Here are some common pitfalls that can be avoided through such collaboration:

1. Lack of innovation:
The metals & mining industry can sometimes be slow to adopt innovative technologies and practices. Cross-industry collaboration can bring fresh perspectives and ideas, helping to drive innovation and accelerate technological advancements in areas such as automation, digitalisation, and sustainability.

2. Limited knowledge transfer:
Siloed working environments within the industry can result in limited knowledge transfer and sharing of best practices. Collaborating with organisations that have complementary expertise, such as technology, engineering, safety, or environmental sectors, can facilitate the transfer of knowledge, leading to improved operational efficiency and sustainability.

3. Environmental impact: 
The metals & mining industry faces increasing scrutiny regarding its environmental impact. Cross-industry collaboration can help identify and implement sustainable practices and technologies by leveraging the expertise of companies and other industries at scale with a strong focus on sustainability, such as renewable energy, waste management, or water conservation.

4. Supply chain resilience:
The metals & mining industry relies on a complex global supply chain. Collaborating with companies involved in logistics, transportation, or supply chain management can enhance resilience, mitigate risks, and optimise the flow of materials, ensuring a stable supply of raw materials and reducing disruptions.

5. Health and safety:
Safety is a critical concern in the metals & mining industry. Collaborating with companies in other industries that have well-established safety protocols, such as manufacturing or construction, can bring fresh insights and practices to improve safety standards, reduce accidents, and enhance worker well-being.

6. Stakeholder engagement:
The metals & mining industry often faces challenges in engaging and building trust with local communities, governments, and other stakeholders. Collaborating with organisations experienced in stakeholder engagement, community development, or corporate social responsibility can bring valuable strategies and approaches to enhance relationships and promote sustainable development.

7. Market diversification:
The metals & mining industry is susceptible to market fluctuations and dependency on specific sectors or regions. Cross-industry collaboration can help identify new market opportunities, diversify product portfolios, and explore novel applications for metals and minerals, enhancing resilience and long-term growth prospects.

By embracing cross-industry collaboration, the metals & mining industry can overcome these pitfalls and challenges and drive innovation, sustainability, operational excellence, and stakeholder value. Collaboration enables the industry to tap into diverse expertise, leverage emerging technologies, and to foster a culture of continuous improvement and adaptation.

Find the second part of Coetzee’s detailed exploration of the importance of collaboration for Africa’s mining industry here: https://www.africanreview.com/construction-a-mining/quarrying/mining-s-call-for-collaboration-continued