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JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – While there are differences between the mining industries in South Africa and Sweden, mining forms the backbone of both countries’ economies and, therefore, knowledge-sharing in this field can be of great importance in terms of developing a better understanding of safety, skills and sustainability challenges in their respective mining environments.
This was highlighted by Ambassador of Sweden to South Africa Anders Hagelberg, at the Safety, Skills and Sustainability in Mining conference, in Johannesburg, on Thursday. The conference focused on how the efforts to improve safety, develop skills, facilitate longevity and sustainability, as well as increase profitability and efficiency in the mining sector.
It aimed to foster profitable and sustainable business, lower accident rates, better occupational health, lower environmental impact, positive social impact and technology, leadership and methodology sharing between the two countries.
The conference also marked the establishment of the Swedish–Southern African Mining Initiative, which aims to create a platform for knowledge sharing and networking between Swedish and South African mining role-players.
Hagelberg believed that the formation of close relationships between the Southern African and Swedish mining industries would prove mutually beneficial and hoped that the South Africa and Sweden could foster joint developments in mining to further mining activities in both countries.
Further, the Binational Commission between South Africa and Sweden also provided a platform to discuss challenges and opportunities in the respective mining sectors.
Meanwhile, Business Sweden Southern Africa market unit manager Olov Hemström highlighted the common opportunities and challenges, as well as the differences, between the two countries.
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