Opportunity Issue 108

MINERALS COUNCIL SOUTH AFRICA
A catalyst for South Africa’s
economic development
Minerals Council South Africa CEO Mzila Mthenjane outlines his vision for how mining
can transform South Africa. From playing a role in supplying the materials needed
for infrastructure development to helping the country transition to a greener future,
mining can play a primary role in putting South Africa on a path to prosperity.
How have your first months in office been?
I completed my “First100 days” at the end of November 2023 with,
among other things, board approval of our strategic goals and a
budget for the following year. I was pleased with the outcome.
The transition was seamless given the extensive support that I
received from my predecessor (he really helped me a lot in the
process before I formally took over on 21 August 2023), the board,
management team and family. Overall, it has been a “no-regret”
and I remain extremely excited about the role and the prospects
for the industry and the country. From a governance perspective,
we have a board of directors selected from the members and five
Office Bearers consisting of the President and four Deputies who
are selected from the board.
What are your goals as CEO?
Firstly, my vision considers where we are as a country and the role
that I believe the mining industry can play. As a primary industry,
I maintain that it can be a catalyst for South Africa’s economic
development, treated with intentionality to instil change and
progress. We have a country that needs significant infrastructure
development, not only in current terms relating to Eskom and
Transnet, but beyond that in terms of road infrastructure,
human settlements, communication and the need to connect
our cities through all modes of mobility. That is going to need
materials which mining is best positioned to provide. I have a
vision of growth in mining output across several commodities,
which can really transform South Africa in terms of the economy
and social progress to a modern, culturally diverse and naturally
beautiful country. At the same time, given the imperative for an
energy transition, mining has an important role to enable the
country to transition to a low-carbon future. Firstly, in terms of
the production of the minerals required for light and resilient
materials and green technologies. More importantly, in terms of
the “Just Energy Transition”, the economic stimulus from mining
will provide economic opportunities that create the foundation
for a transition to a better life. It’s an industry that I am very
passionate about in terms of the positive
social, economic and environmental
impact that it can have on the lives of
South Africans.
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