Russia asks Niger to help as geologists taken hostage, RIA says
Two employees of an unidentified Russian company came under attack by militants in July, while they were exploring for mineral resources, according to the news service.
The critical issue of sustainability in South African mining will be the core topic of the first seminar in a series of four to be hosted by Mining for Change in association with Motjoli Resources and AngloGold Ashanti in June.
The examination of issues such as health and safety, corporate citizenship, community development, environmental management promises to be a hard-hitting extensive view of the
“All over the world, ‘sustainability’ issues are key to mining and to relationships between mining companies and their stakeholders,” says Professor Mavis Hermanus, who is currently adjunct-professor and director of the Centre for Sustainability in Mining and Industry at the University of the Witwatersrand.
“While substantial long-term and committed investments are needed, host communities, societies and workforces expect socially and environmentally responsible operational methods as well as progress towards thriving post mining economies In South Africa we have additionally the need to deal with mining’s apartheid legacy,” she says.
Therefore the issue of sustainability in South African mining will be addressed with a strong eye on the past, especially taking into account the complicated effect that apartheid had on the sector, while also looking to the future and how to best take on the unique challenges that face the sector.
Hermanus was formerly the chief inspector of mines for South Africa and, in that capacity, has served as chairperson of the Mine Health and Safety Council and the chairperson of the Board of the Mining Qualifications Authority. She currently serves on the boards of Aveng Ltd and the Railway Safety Regulator and chairs the board of the Bokamoso ESOP Trust. She has served on other boards in the public, parastatal and private sectors.
Hermanus has a BSc (Geology) from the University of Cape Town and a MSc (Engineering – physical metallurgy) from the University of the Witwatersrand. She is a Takemi Fellow 1998/9 of the Harvard School of Public Health, a Fellow of the SAIMM and a member of the Collegium Ramazzini.
The purpose of the seminars at Summer Place is to focus attention on mining in South Africa, and provide a platform for all the stakeholders in the industry to seek out a common ground and focus on improving all facets of the industry. The seminars seek to tackle major issues affecting the mining industry ahead of and immediately following the ANC’s policy conference in June. The Mining For Change 2012 seminars aim to contribute to this vital public discourse.
