Mining industry's unfavourable conditions call for inspired leadership

According to BDlive, market conditions have not been favourable to the mining industry, following on the developments at Marikana, and the subsequent illegal labour strikes at other mining operations in the platinum, gold and coal sectors. The spotlight is now solidly directed onto the mining industry and, in particular, the platinum group metals sector.

As a result, industry players had to robustly review their operations to ensure that they remain competitive and not produce "unprofitable output". Adding pressures and challenges are the cost of electricity, the need to reduce carbon footprint, the critical aspect of safety - and stoppages due to unsafe practices identified by the Department of Mineral Resources - and uncertainty of mineral policy. More than ever, BDlive says, the mining sector needs inspired and stand-out leadership.

Labour unrest that hit the mining sector is set against the background of a slow transformation, specifically in the areas of broad-based economic empowerment, community involvement and the execution of the social and labour plans, as well as issues of poverty and inequality, inadequate social and living conditions, migrant labour and a sub-optimal operational model in the unions which has not changed much since democracy in 1994.

Whatever arguments are put forward, BDlive says, we cannot agree with the violence which accompanied these illegal strikes.

Read the full article on www.bdlive.co.za.