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Sustainability improves mining sector investment

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Sustainability and waste management were the focus of this year’s African Mining Indaba, held in Cape Town. Sustainability has become an important factor for investors when looking at mining opportunities and industry growth.Investors remain optimistic about mining in South Africa but are particularly interested in those mines that have good waste management plans and renewable energy systems in place. Mines that facilitate recycling and aim to reduce waste where possible are attractive to international investors.Investors look at a mine’s sustainability initiatives when choosing who to fund. “[The initiatives] range from power to heating, air conditioning and cooling, transport and associated green tech-like waste energy and water purification,” says Gareth Pollit, the director of Moore Stephens - an African advisory and consulting network.

Sustainability systems that mines can implement

International investors look for African mines that have renewable energy systems, such as solar and battery powered facilities. This reduced dependence on a national electricity grid means that mines can become more self-sufficient and reliable operations.Foreign funders are also interested in mines that support their surrounding communities “Planning from the early stages to involve key stakeholders, including community leaders, is getting a lot more attention and companies are now appreciating the need to get it right from the get-go,” says David Tomasi, the global sector leader for energy, mining and renewables at Moore Stephens.

Governments must also support investment opportunities

The easiest way for African governments to support international investment is to ensure that there are stability and policy certainty in the mining sector. Governments that change their mind constantly or that are looking to nationalise mines will chase foreign investors away.“Policy certainty and the rule of law is critical to getting mining projects off the ground,” says Olivier Barbeau, the managing partner at Moore Stephens Johannesburg. Government policies also affect local currencies and foreign investors need currency stability to make successful deals.One of the major influences, when it comes to foreign investment in African mines, is sustainability and certainty. Investors like to see that African mines are looking towards the future, considerate of the environment and that they care about their surrounding communities.___Averda is a leading waste management provider with over 50 years of experience across three continents. Through growth, transformation and engagement, we strive to find new ways of managing waste while protecting the community and environment. ___By pairing international expertise with local insights, we have secured our position as one of South Africa’s most respected providers of waste management and industrial cleaning services. We also operate in the recycling, pipe inspection, CCTV, infrastructure inspection, hydro-demolition, high-pressure water jetting and catalyst handling industries. ___Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for the best tips on recycling and the latest industry news. See our Instagram and YouTube channels for more insights into environmental affairs and our work with local communities.