Coal mining company Ndalamo Resources is venturing into renewable energy and other minerals, positioning itself for a diversified and resilient future. Ndalamo CEO Shammy Luvhengo emphasized this point in an Op-Ed ahead of the 2024 Investing in African Mining Indaba conference in Cape Town.
Luvhengo acknowledges the critical role of the coal mining industry in the transition to a low-carbon economy. Ndalamo is embracing this disruption with enthusiasm, aiming for a mining sector that collaborates, innovates, and leads the way towards a sustainable and technologically advanced mining landscape in Africa.
The company’s strategic pillars, including sustainability and ESG, growth and diversification, and operational excellence, form the foundation for shaping a new narrative for mining in Africa. Ndalamo is committed to operating in harmony with the environment, prioritizing community welfare, and upholding high governance standards.
Ndalamo Resources lists its assets as New Clydesdale Colliery, Ubuntu Colliery, Eloff Colliery, Arnot South Colliery, and the Springboklaagte greenfield coal project, all located in Mpumalanga. Additionally, the company has divisions such as Ndalamo Energy, Ndalamo Metals, and Ndalamo Ferrous, which focus on renewable and green energy projects in South Africa.
Luvhengo advocates for a focus on leveraging innovation and technology to mitigate the environmental impact of coal mining rather than solely transitioning away from it. He suggests exploring cleaner coal technologies, investing in carbon capture, utilization, and storage, and diversifying the energy portfolio with renewable sources, all while ensuring a just transition for coal-dependent communities.
Participating in the Mining Indaba demonstrates Ndalamo’s commitment to embracing disruption positively, fostering innovation, and reshaping the coal mining industry towards a more sustainable and vibrant future.
The Mining Indaba’s sustainability series will include a panel discussion on the energy transition and the concept of a just transition. The discussion will explore how Africa can embrace cleaner energy while ensuring responsible sourcing and sustained supplies of critical minerals. The panel will feature industry experts from organizations such as the Responsible Minerals Initiative, Newmont, Seriti Green Development South Africa, The Particle Group & Women in Mining South Africa, and Standard Bank South Africa.
Africa has abundant green minerals that can facilitate the energy transition, and it is crucial to understand the necessary steps to ensure the continent benefits from supplying these minerals to the world.
While global spending on clean-energy transition reached record highs in 2023, it falls short of what is needed to achieve net-zero emissions by mid-century. The urgency to combat climate change requires more investment in clean technology.
Overall, Ndalamo Resources and other industry players are committed to embracing disruption, promoting sustainability, fostering innovation, and creating a promising future for African mining.
