MARK CUTIFANI: Why South Africa needs to reignite the promise of mining
We owe it to South African citizens of all races — and future generations — to lift ourselves above narrow interests and provide a stable, investor-friendly mining environment, writes Mark Cutifani
There is a view that the "promise of mining" has waned, and that our shareholders, communities and host countries have not always realised the full benefits of mining. Some argue that the mining sector has always, and will always have, a "crisis of reputation". I hold a different view. While I think we have not fully been able to tackle the social impact of mining, I am convinced that mining continues to, and will, play a more significant role in the development of our host communities and regions. Think of the raw materials we mine, and how these are the lifeblood of many industries and economies around the globe. More directly, think of the regional economies the mining industry supports through employment, taxes and local procurement. Despite our challenges, there has never been such an opportune time to reinvigorate "the promise of mining". The imperative for us as an industry is, and here I want to paraphrase the founding sentiment that Anglo American was built on: "To earn pro...
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