CAPE TOWN – The African mining sector is grappling with an unprecedented convergence of climate volatility and operational complexity, prompting a shift in focus toward digital transformation and leadership resilience. As the global energy transition intensifies demand for critical minerals, industry experts warn that traditional technical strength is no longer sufficient to sustain performance in increasingly hazardous environments.
Global operations consultancy dss+ has sounded the alarm on these dual challenges ahead of the 2026 Investing in African Mining Indaba, noting that physical climate hazards—ranging from extreme weather to water scarcity—are now material business disruptors. The firm argues that the industry’s “perfect storm” of disruption requires a fundamental cultural shift to protect both output and personnel.
“Climate risk is no longer a future threat; it’s a current operational reality impacting output and investor confidence,” the company stated in a media release. Dr Gerhard Bolt, dss+ Principal for Climate and Sustainability, emphasized that the industry must move beyond compliance-driven reporting to quantify “Value at Risk” (VAR) and prioritize adaptation measures that offer tangible financial returns.
The push for digitalization is emerging as a critical parallel priority. To combat infrastructure constraints and legacy systems, mining operators are being urged to accelerate the adoption of field-tested technologies, including autonomous systems and advanced analytics. These innovations are projected to not only increase throughput but also significantly lower worker exposure to high-risk tasks.
However, the success of these technological leaps rests on the shoulders of frontline leadership. With mining remaining one of the world’s most hazardous sectors, experts at dss+ maintain that a robust safety culture is the bedrock of any successful transition. The firm will be sharing industry-tested lessons on managing these complex transitions at the upcoming Indaba under the theme, “Stronger together: Progress through partnerships.”
“Resilience comes from partnership, combining rigorous data with deep operational insight and the leadership needed to make change sustainable,” said Dr Bolt. “We are proud to stand with those shaping the future of a safer, more resilient, and more productive mining industry.”
