Emerging Leaders in African Mining Program 2015

During February, IM4DC together with the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC) proudly presented the second Emerging Leaders in African Mining (ELAM) program.

The program was aimed at young professionals working in government, university, civil society, community organisations and the private sector in Africa who deal with mining and development issues and have been identified as emerging leaders in their areas of expertise.

Run in conjunction with the African Mining Indaba in Cape Town, South Africa, the program provided an opportunity for young professionals working in the African mining sector to enhance their effectiveness as leaders and contribute to improved governance of the sector.

Core topics included:

  • The changing global context of mining and what it means for Africa
  • Introduction to leadership
  • Strategies for managing complexity
  • Principles of leader development
  • Dialogue and listening skills
  • Stakeholder mapping and engagement
  • Values and ethics
  • Collaboration and networking.

The two week program was jointly delivered by Winthrop Professor David Day from The University of Western Australia, Professor David Brereton Deputy Director of the Sustainable Minerals Institute at The University of Queensland, Dr Marit Kitaw from AMDC, Ms Elspeth Donovan from Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, and Mr Liam Foran from IM4DC.

Nineteen men and 11 women from 17 countries across the continent participated. They were drawn from government, industry, civil society and academia.

The first week was spent in lecture and workshop format with the delivery team provoking reflection and facilitating cross-country learning and problem solving. During this week the group enjoyed a number of presentations from current African leaders including Professor Mills Soko from the University of Cape Town Business School and Mr Bayanda Mncwango, Head of Smelting Operations – Anglo American Platinum, South Africa.

The second week saw the group attend the Mining Indaba conference in Cape Town, where participants sat in on lectures, interacted with their government peers, attended the Australia Lounge and World Bank networking sessions and the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) sustainability day. The group met with many interesting presenters including Mr Jon Samuel, the Director of Government Relations and Social Performance at Anglo American, and Mr Ross Hamilton, Director of Environment and Climate Change policy at ICMM.

The two week program was rounded out with a final day at the University of Cape Town Business School. This brought together many of the lessons and insights the group felt typified the current state of mining in Africa. They also put together individual return to work projects which they will implement on the return to their places of employment.