Unlocking Potential
Reviving a disused mine is no easy feat.
An industry reliant on financial, mechanical and human resources in intensive quantities, it takes commitment and nous to run a successful, long-term mining operation.
In Zambia, the Munali Nickel Mine represents such a story. The past 13 years have seen two closures, the first as a result of the global financial crash in 2009 and the second caused by ongoing operational and commercial challenges.
However, 2014 heralded the start of a new era under Mabiza Resources, a subsidiary of Consolidated Nickel Mines (CNM) which forms this issue’s cover story.
“CNM and its partner investors saw an opportunity to turn around the struggling brown field mine,” comments Matthew Banda, the company’s General Manager of the mine. “Prior to placing significant investment into the project, an extensive feasibility study was commissioned to look at how the operation could be turned around.
“It was imperative to take the necessary precautions, identify what went wrong and reassess what would be done differently going forward regardless of fluctuating and low nickel prices.”
Indeed, many advancements have been made since and the mine is now starting to realise its potential once more.
And it is this notion of unlocking potential which forms a theme of several stories in this edition of Africa Outlook, starting with our Expert Eye contribution from IBM’s Babacar Kane which discusses ways to address gender inequality in the digital age.
Speak Up Africa is another organisation looking to open up opportunities across the continent, not least through its efforts to improve access to vital healthcare services via a series of partnerships and associations with the likes of Water Aid, Comic Relief and influential sportspeople such as ex-footballer Didier Drogba. We spoke to Founder and Executive Director Yacine Djibo.
In the hospitality sector, global hotel brand Hilton is providing employment and development opportunities across its increasing portfolio of properties - Jan van der Putten, VP of Operations for Africa and Indian Ocean, tells us more.
Elsewhere our packed company features section showcases leading lights across a wide range of sectors, from agriculture and technology to construction and finance, while The Final Word reveals the thoughts of several of our contributing executives on the same question: What is the greatest challenge facing your industry?
Enjoy the issue!