To develop an improved understanding of the extent to which mining matters to nearby communities, and more broadly to South Africa as a whole, mining industry lobby association Minerals Council South Africa commissioned a survey of social indicators contained in the public documents of four of its platinum group metals (PGMs) member companies.

These four PGM companies collectively account for 90% of the full-time jobs of South African PGM miners.

The survey reveals that about 18% of full-time PGM mining affiliated employees are women, further highlighting that the four PGM mining companies are increasing employment of women at the rockface and in management positions.

The study found that women filled 22% of the management roles in the assessed companies.

Although the survey did not break down the categories of management, the 2018 Mining Charter has set targets of 30% of junior management roles to be held by women, 25% of middle and senior management, and 20% of executive management.

The report also finds that programmes to encourage inclusivity and transformation in the South African industry have been underway since 1994, with women, historically by law, not allowed to work in core mining jobs, until this law was amended in the 1990s to enable their participation.

The companies’ interventions create economic opportunities, jobs and improve the quality of schooling and healthcare in host communities in the North West and Limpopo provinces, where South Africa’s PGM mines are concentrated. The survey looked into the companies’ commitments over the 2023 financial year.

Committing to Change

The Minerals Council South Africa reports that mining companies are committed to increasing the number of women they employ to make their mining operations more inclusive and equitable through specific policies and strategic actions.

Importantly, the organisation notes that these companies have implemented policies of zero tolerance of gender-based violence, discrimination and bullying.

In addition, the PGM industry is adopting personal protective equipment and other clothing designed specifically for women, while modernisation of mining operations is making it easier for women to enter the sector, which has been dominated by men for more than a century.

Transformative Change

According to the survey, a total of R1.6-billion was spent on socioeconomic development projects between the four companies, mostly in host communities in the North West and Limpopo in a single financial year.

Such expenditure was focused largely on education, health and infrastructure.

Notably, the four companies spent R273-million on enterprise development projects, with two reportedly supporting 1 860 small businesses, and three creating 10 358 jobs through such enterprises.

Further, in terms of socioeconomic development, the report outlines that one PGM producer worked with the Department of Basic Education to provide support for 16 575 learners, 501 teachers and the schools’ governing bodies and principals. Early childhood development is another priority of this company.

One of the four PGM miners also provided a cadetship programme to 298 unemployed youths to help them acquire skills that would benefit their eligibility towards gaining entry into the mining industry.

Further, the four companies spent a total of R2.8-billion on training and development in the year surveyed, the highest total spend in the five sectors surveyed, which translates to an average of R26 893 for each full-time employee.

The Mining Charter sets a benchmark for training spend of 5% of payroll and companies usually exceed this amount, the Minerals Council South Africa notes.

The four companies additionally supported 514 bursars and had 1 935 learnership candidates.

The Minerals Council South Africa stresses that the full survey of 12 Minerals Council South Africa member companies in coal, gold, PGMs, diamonds and iron-ore represent 59% of total mining sector employment in 2023.

The Minerals Council South Africa says the survey, while not representative of South Africa’s broader mining industry, paints an informative picture of the breadth and depth of the social investments and transformation that have become the standard way of operating for most mining companies, and certainly for Minerals Council South Africa members, and shows why “mining matters” to the country, local communities and overall community upliftment.