Mining to spearhead job creation
THE mining sector in Eswatini continues to boom and is expected to play a crucial role in job creation. Recently, numerous companies have undertaken mining exploration exercises in the Kingdom. His Majesty King Mswati III has visited numerous sites to see first-hand operations and progress being made.
On Friday His Majesty King Mswati III and Queen Mother Indlovukazi as well as emakhosikati and the royal family visited Maloma Colliery Mine to open Shaft 1.
His Majesty said the success of Maloma Colliery Mine and its transformational impact on the country’s economy demonstrates what could be achieved when mining companies and their host governments partner to deliver real value to the nation.
He assured the company of the government’s full support given the multiple benefits that the investment by Maloma Mine will have on the communities in which the company operates, its employees, and the entire country. Maloma Mine is one of the subsidiaries of Inyatsi Group Holdings.
The King said through responsible and sustainable mining of coal reserves Maloma Mine continues to increase exports and diversify the economy for the betterment of the lives of emaswati.
His Majesty indicated that the coal being mined at Maloma has the potential to kick start another revenue stream for the nation and in the process, lead to even more job opportunities.
The King said the ripple effect of the success of Maloma Mine in mining and processing the high-value anthracite coal could be the start of steel production in the country.
His Majesty told the nation that the iron deposits in the country will soon be mined and processed.
The King said the combination of the two minerals could enable Eswatini to enter the lucrative steel production business.
“Steel production depends to a very large part on coal. The anthracite coal that you produce here at Maloma Mine is ideal for steel production. Very soon the iron ore deposits in that mine will be opened and this places us in a very good position to enter the foray of steel production,” the King said.
His Majesty’s visit to Maloma was another example of the government’s determination to unlock the mining sector and use it as a vehicle to eradicate unemployment in the Kingdom and better the lives of emaswati.
Maloma Mine currently employs 1000 people directly and indirectly and has positively impacted the lives of at least 100,000 people in the three chiefdoms it operates in.
The country has also granted various mining licences in recent years. Earlier in the month, His Majesty toured the Green Chert Mine and called for the mining sector to become an employment beacon.
Green Chert Mine which is owned by Michael Lee Enterprises has been granted a prospecting license at the Malolotja Nature Reserve. Green Chert is a cryptocrystalline quartz stone metamorphosed from Fuchsite.
The stone was formed when the Fuchsite vein was subjected to intense pressure and dissolution from super-hot ground waters which partially dissolved the Fuchsite into a silica solution, forming large boulders.
The stone is used to make jewellery and is also used by high-end buyers in the construction industry. For quite some time, the rock has been illegally mined on a massive scale by unauthorised miners popularly known as Zama Zamas some of whom were arrested for not possessing a licence.
An expert in the mining sector shared that the prospecting exercise could bring about 200 jobs for emaswati and that in most instances, the residents of the area are considered.
In July last year, His Majesty King Mswati III granted mineral rights to Mwelase Mining Eswatini (Pty) Ltd for Iron Ore Resources at the Ngwenya Iron Ore site.
An environmental impact assessment study has detailed that the project requires a workforce of about 460 employees, and it is envisaged that Mwelase Mining has planned operations with a production capacity of 100,000 metric tonnes (MT) per month.
In October 2021, the King granted Lurco Coal Eswatini a prospecting license for coal resources at Mpaka Coal Mine in the Lubombo region. Mpaka Coal Mine was last operated in 1992 having been mothballed after previous investors exited Eswatini.
The country through His Majesty’s Vision has identified the mining sector as a key driver in job creation and the betterment of emaswati. The mining sector holds significant employment opportunities and economic boosts.
Globally, mines have become the backbone of economies. Botswana is a perfect example of the diamond mines providing jobs and stimulating the economy for the betterment of Batswana.
As of a 2023 ranking of the leading mining companies in the world based on employee count, the South African company Sibanyestillwater was the world’s largest mining company employer, at nearly 85,000 people. Sibanye-stillwater is the world’s largest primary platinum producer.
Despite the many opportunities and ability to employ people in large numbers, the global mining industry experienced a 22% drop in new job postings in Q3 2023 compared with the previous quarter, with the highest share accounted for by ABB with 3,801 job postings according to Globaldata’s analysis of mining company job postings.
Globaldata’s Mining: Hiring Trends & Signals Q3 2023 report reveals comprehensive insights into hiring patterns, job roles, required skills, geographical trends, and key themes within the mining industry, facilitating anticipation of future workforce needs.
Notably, Architecture and Engineering Occupations jobs accounted for a 9% share of the global mining industry’s new job postings in Q3 2023, down 21% over the prior quarter. Architecture and Engineering Occupations, with a share of 9%, were the occupations with the greatest hiring activity in the global mining industry in Q3 2023, ahead of Management Occupations with an 8% share of job postings.
The other prominent roles include Production Occupations with a 7% share in Q3 2023, Office and Administrative Support Occupations with a 19% share and Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations with a 6% share of new job postings.
The top five companies, in terms of the number of new job postings tracked by Globaldata, accounted for a combined 28% share of the overall hiring activity in the global mining industry in Q3 2023.
ABB posted 3,801 jobs in Q3 2023 and registered a growth of 33% over the previous quarter, followed by Caterpillar with 3,147 jobs and an 8% decline. Cummins with 2,028 jobs and Vale with 1,985 jobs, recorded a 55% decline and a 31% drop, respectively, while Orica recorded a 54% drop with 1,772 job postings during Q3 2023.
Eswatini’s First World Mine has not only sustained its strong business performance since 2020, but the company has made a significant impact on the country and in the local communities where it operates.
His Majesty King Mswati III has said the success of Maloma Colliery Mine and its transformational impact on the country’s economy demonstrates what could be achieved when mining companies and their host governments partner to deliver real value to the nation.
He assured the company of the government’s full support given the multiple benefits that the investment by Maloma Mine will have on the communities in which the company operates, its employees, and for the entire country.
The King was speaking during the official opening of Shaft 1 of Maloma Colliery Limited. The mine is one of the subsidiaries of Inyatsi Group Holdings.
The King said through responsible and sustainable mining of coal reserves Maloma Mine continues to increase exports and diversify the economy for the betterment of the lives of emaswati.
His Majesty drew an ecstatic response from the people in attendance when he pointed out that the ripple effect of the success of Maloma Mine in mining and processing the high-value anthracite coal, could be the start of steel production in the country.
His Majesty told the nation that the iron deposits in the country will soon be mined and processed.
The King said the combination of the two minerals could enable Eswatini to enter the lucrative steel production business.
“Steel production depends to a very large part on coal. The anthracite coal that you produce here at Maloma Mine is ideal for steel production. Very soon the iron ore deposits in that mine will be opened and this places us in a very good position to enter the foray of steel production,” the King said.
“I call on all of you as employees and community members of Maloma Mine, and all emaswati to position yourselves well for these exciting developments,” the King said.
It was gathered that steel production is reliant on coal, which is primarily used as a reducing agent to extract iron from iron ore and to provide the carbon content needed in steel.
In another matter, the King commended Maloma Mine for investing in advanced technologies which ensure that more productivity is realised.
The King also expressed his appreciation to Maloma Mine for training emaswati and helping them qualify and become competent to use the advanced technologies.
“We are encouraged by Maloma Mine’s actions that have delivered great results in skills development and transfer to emaswati. This is a good example for other companies to follow this fine example that is set by Maloma Mine,” the King said.
Diversification
His Majesty said this resonates with the nation’s development agenda where scientific and technical knowledge is positioned as the main driver of economic diversification and sustainable development.
He noted that the government has prioritised substantial investment in Information and Communication Technology to stimulate economic growth for sustainable job creation.
The King said Maloma Mine’s investment in advanced technologies fits perfectly into the government’s actions. The country boasts valuable mineral resources, including diamonds, coal, and gold, and other precious and base metals.
The development of these resources is a key plank of the government’s export-orientated growth strategy and increases Eswatini’s potential to further diversify its economy to reduce reliance on agriculture, which accounts for 8.6 per cent of Eswatini’s gross domestic product.
“I am happy to be here with you here in Maloma. I am also happy to note that you are working in harmony with the mine, and you take good care of it,” said His Majesty.
“The news of great things that are happening here at Maloma has reached me and I am pleased to witness first-hand the progress that is going on here.”
▴His Majesty King Mswati III, Inyatsi Group Holdings Chairman Michelo Shakantu, Inyatsi Group Holdings Investment Cluster CEO Paul Lwiindi and Maloma Colliery CEO Jabulile Shabangu during the official opening of Maloma Colliery Shaftt 1.
The King said he once visited the mine to officiate at a ceremony in its previous life in 2007, but he was later to learn that, that chapter of the entity folded due to some challenges. That was way before Inyatsi Group Holdings took over.
“But I am encouraged by what I see here today and the hard work that has gone into reviving the business and infusing success to it,” he said.
His Majesty called on the employees of Maloma Mine and the community members to continue to work hand in hand with the company to ensure growth. He said that will not benefit the company alone but will have lasting positive impacts on all concerned.
“This investment could lead to bigger things. In other parts of the world, we have seen mining companies building towns, schools and many other infrastructures for the benefit of the communities in which they operate,” the King said.
“Nothing can stop us from going that route. What is required is for you as the community to work in harmony with Maloma Mine and together come up with ideas that would be of mutual benefit to the mine and the communities.”
Collaborations
His Majesty said the world is full of fine examples of collaborations between mining companies and the communities in which they operate. “When we look at communities that are in the vicinity of mine sites, those communities often have their short-term success and long-term prosperity interwoven with that of the mine. We want this partnership to be strengthened and for it to flourish.”
In addition to job creation opportunities, additional infrastructure and benefits will come out from the investments. These include roads, bridges, electricity, telecommunications, fibre optic networks, security services, and new towns with housing infrastructure, health facilities, water, and markets for goods and services for SMMES in the communities.
He noted that the investment has positive impacts on rural development.
In another matter, His Majesty lauded the investments that Inyatsi Group Holdings continues to make in the country, saying this was a sign of confidence that the entity has regarding investing in Eswatini.
In a speech that was received with jubilation among the 3,000-strong crowd, His Majesty referred to Inyatsi Group Holdings Chairman Michelo Shakantu as having demonstrated great trust for Eswatini, and confidence in investing in the various sectors of the economy.
“I am very happy with what Shakantu and his team are doing for the country as they collaborate with Government to provide massive support for the empowerment and improvement of the lives of emaswati,” the King said.
He referred to Shakantu as ‘Shabangu’ a name he was given by the regiments when he underwent the sacred ritual of initiation to be one of the King’s warriors.
“The investments in high-end technology and in developing skills of emaswati are commendable indeed. Shabangu and his team continue to make a significant contribution towards growing our economy and promoting a conducive investment climate in the country,” the King said.
Maloma Mine currently provides direct and indirect employment to 1500 people. It also spends three per cent of its profits on a robust Corporate Social Investment (CSI) programme that uplifts the lives of the people of the three Chiefdoms in which it operates.
These are the Mamba, Dlamini and Mngomezulu chiefdoms whose combined population is 100, 000 people.
“I would like to invite you as the employees, community members, and entrepreneurs from the area where Maloma Mine operates to fully support the company and ensure that its assets and goodwill are very well protected,” the King said.
“I urge you to take the time to find out more about and leverage the vast opportunities for economic empowerment that Maloma Mine has brought to our country.”
His Majesty said during the tour he was appraised fully how the company had plans to expand its operations even further and provide jobs for many more hundreds of emaswati.
“This is good news for all of us as a nation as it gives strong evidence that Inyatsi Group Holdings, and by extension Maloma Mine, are fully committed to Eswatini by strategically investing in emaswati, advanced technology of world-class standard,” he said.
His Majesty added: “We thus see a brighter future for our mining industry as emaswati and look forward to growth and continued success for this sector. We will continue to fully support investors such as Shakantu and Inyatsi Group Holdings, and all companies who have chosen to invest in our country. This is part of the importance of growing our economy.”
Meanwhile, His Majesty called on all emaswati, particularly those in communities around mines, to be proactive in their actions and prepare to continue to thrive when the mining companies close, or the minerals underground get finished.
He urged community members to diversify their local economies.
The King said this was crucial to reduce disruptions to their livelihoods and to properly plan for their future.
His Majesty noted that building the adaptive capacity of the communities around mines is a viable way to alleviate the burden on the government to deal with the social and economic impacts while securing the future of the people.
▴His Majesty, the Chairman and Maloma Colliery CEO listen as Processing Plant Manager Thubelihle Skonela explains on site operations.