OVERVIEW NEW WIMSA
OVERVIEW NEW WIMSA CHAIRPERSON RAISES THE BAR Selected as one of the “Top 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining” by Women in Mining UK in 2018, Thabile Makgala was recently appointed to the position of Chairperson of Women in Mining South Africa (WiMSA). Thabile holds the position of Executive: Mining at Impala Platinum but getting to the top was no easy journey. Thabile recalls “numerous obstacles while navigating my mining career path”. Her qualifications include a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Stellenbosch Business School and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mining Engineering (Cum laude), from the University of the Witwatersrand. But as the first female mining engineer graduate at Goldfields Kloof and Driefontein division (now Sibanye Gold), it soon became clear that, as she recalls, “the industry had not adequately prepared itself to accept women in mining”. “The response to women’s needs (infrastructure, personal protective clothing, and policies) was slow and very little was in place to address women’s issues.” Her extensive experience has given Thabile insight into what is needed. “Women and men should hold equal representation in the workplace,” she says, “and mining companies should prioritise and advocate for diversity, inclusion, parity and for greater recognition of female leadership within their organisations.” Thabile is encouraged by progress made by women in mining but wants to see “more deliberate and proactive action”. Her hope is that in 10 years, “the fundamental elements such as empowering, caring, showing respect, connecting and growing our female talent, would have been achieved”. mine from an open-pit mine to a verticalshaft mine, and a multi-billion new platinum mine project led by a Canadian firm. Venetia mine is by far the most important part of De Beers’ South African operation, accounting for 3.1-million of the 5.4-million carats recovered by the company from its six operations. Ivanplats, the subsidiary of the Canadian company, has started sinking shafts at its new mine near Mokopane south-west of Polokwane. Ivanhoe has a 64% stake in Ivanplats with 10% owned by a group of Japanese companies including ITOCHU Corporation and Japan Gas Corporation. Mineral beneficiation is a key component of the newly accredited Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the far north of Limpopo. The De Beers Group’s Venetia mine in northern Limpopo is a giant project in every sense. LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2019/20 46
OVERVIEW Impala Platinum is a major presence in Limpopo. In 2018 nine Chinese companies committed to investing more than -billion in projects related to the zone’s four main areas of activity: a coking plant, a power plant, an alloy factory and the manufacture of steel. The planned Tubatse Platinum SEZ will focus on mining, as its name implies. According to LEDA, 17 new mines were established in the greater Tubatse/ Burgersfort/Steelport area between 2001 and 2016, and a further 22 new mines are planned. The focus at Tubatse will be on the beneficiation of platinum group metals, magnetite, vanadium and chrome. The other strong mineral focus in the eastern part of the province is at Phalaborwa where Palabora Copper, a subsidiary of Palabora Mining Company, produces about 45 000 tons of copper annually, most of which is sold domestically. It runs a smelter and a refinery and also mines magnetite, vermiculite sulphuric acid, and nickel sulphate. ONLINE RESOURCES Minerals Council South Africa: www.mineralscouncil.org.za Department of Mineral Resources: www.dme.gov.za Geological Society of South Africa: www.gssa.org.za South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: www.saimm.co.za 47 LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2019/20
