OUR PITs AND INTERNS JOIN INDUSTRY LEADERS AT MINING INDABA
Shaun La Cock, PIT Electrical Engineer
Stakeholder Affairs
Ivan Shongwe, Stakeholder Affairs and Lenkwang Mokwana, PIT Mining Engineering
Exxaro’s young Professionals in Training (PIT) and interns recently attended the Investing in African Mining Indaba, where they hosted the Exxaro stand and attended discussions throughout the two-day conference held in Cape Town.
The mining industry is thriving, but changes need to be made if the sector is to reach its true potential. This was the message from President Cyril Ramaphosa, who addressed attendees on the second morning of the conference, amidst a line-up of keynote speakers, including Exxaro’s Dr Nombasa Tsengwa, Riaan Koppeschaar, Kgabi Masia, Johan Meyer and many more.
This year’s theme was:
Evolution of African Mining: Investing in the Energy Transition, ESG, and the Economies.
To this end Dr Nombasa Tsengwa, Exxaro’s CEO Designate, spoke on “The challenges and opportunities for Bulk Commodities in the African mining Sector” while Kgabi Masia, MD of Minerals at Exxaro, spoke to “Developing Africa’s mining sector”.
Having attended a few of these panel discussions, Lenkwang Mokwana, PIT-Mining Engineering, felt that the biggest takeout for her was around the need for a paradigm shift in the way mining does things.
Ivan Shongwe, Corporate Communications Intern at Belfast Mine was also impressed with the insights offered by the MCSA president, Nolitha Fakude, including her call to the mining sector, “To go beyond the Mining Charter and to not condone bullying in our working environment”.
“We need to get to a point where mining companies contribute to the communities, not out of convenience, but out of conviction.”
The key highlight for Sixolile Dlungwane, Intern: Stakeholder Affairs, who attended her first mining indaba, was engaging with people at the stand and acting as a brand ambassador for Exxaro.
Interview with Ivan Shongwe
Interview with Shaun La Cock
“The talks brought together how technology is really needed to transition from high carbon users to a low carbon future while remaining a relevant mining company that is also sustainable,” noted Shaun La Cock, PIT: Electrical Engineering.
Mzila Mthenjane, Executive Head of Stakeholder Affairs, shared some key takeouts from his panel discussions saying, “Companies really need to disclose the work that they’re doing, the benefits that they’re adding and the value they are creating for communities and society.”
“To actually speak about the work that Exxaro is doing was a really proud moment, and the positive feedback we got from the greater community and stakeholders was amazing.”
All of the PITs and interns were grateful for the opportunity to participate in such a worldclass event and rub shoulders with industry leaders.
Interview with Lenkwang Mokwana
“I feel Exxaro gives us some of the best exposure. We feel part of the team and part of the company,” said Shaun La Cock. Sixolile Dlungwane agrees, “Exxaro really prioritises the youth and young talent and creates opportunities for growth, development and exposure”.
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