Building Africa’s mining future on a foundation of trust

Gatherings like the Investing in African Mining Indaba, now a regular feature of Cape Town’s calendar in February, are becoming increasingly vital in an era dominated by misinformation. This year’s theme, “Stronger Together,” is expected to strike a chord with delegates, according to Andrew van Zyl, managing director of SRK Consulting (South Africa).

“As an industry, there is not much that we can do to counter the rise of misinformation and the mix of private and state actors using various platforms and tools for their own ends,” said Van Zyl. “However, we can continue to build trust among each other and with the communities we impact.”

He emphasised that the Indaba’s theme should inspire mining companies to act with integrity, ensuring every engagement strengthens trust.

Setting the Tone for Trust

“As ambassadors for our companies, our countries and our industry, we can make a positive difference by remaining authentic and in direct contact with our stakeholders,” Van Zyl explained.

“Our interactions at the Indaba can set the tone for the message we take out, a message that must be conveyed directly to our other stakeholders who are not attending, especially those communities directly impacted by our activities.”

Trust, he noted, must be cultivated over time and is based on genuine assessment of all parties involved. Physical interactions, like those at the Mining Indaba, provide deeper insight into partners’ values, perspectives, and approaches, something virtual conversations cannot fully replicate.

“Most importantly, the personal connection gives us the opportunity to find ways through our disagreements. Once the trust is there, it gives more scope to explore a positive route that may be unfamiliar to both parties,” Van Zyl said.

Learning to Engage Communities

Trust has become crucial, particularly in relationships between mines and local communities. Van Zyl highlighted that the mining sector is evolving, not just technologically but also in how it engages with communities.

“Questions of communication and trust are now front and centre in mining’s efforts to mitigate social risk, and this is demonstrated through the sector’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments,” he said. “With smart devices now carrying messages in real time across all sectors of society, mining companies need to become more proactive in how they communicate.”

However, he warned that misinformation, amplified by digital and other media, can create situations where mines and communities do not share even basic facts.

AI and the Challenge of Misinformation

“One of the tasks facing us as an industry is to build upon the trust and partnerships that exist in our respective ecosystems, to ensure that there remains a common factual basis for a relationship of mutual trust,” Van Zyl explained.

He added that this principle applies to all stakeholders, from governments and regulators to customers and suppliers.

While artificial intelligence can drive innovative solutions, it also increases the risk of misinformation, making trust harder to preserve.

“Past mistakes by the industry are more likely to stick in the minds of the public than the many ways in which we have become more responsible in our mining operations,” he said.

“There is now a greater onus on the sector to build relationships that will withstand the inevitable impact of misinformation.”

Van Zyl concluded that stronger trust equips the industry with a firmer foundation for decision-making and interactions, safeguarding its social licence to operate even in the face of widespread misinformation.