EMALAHLENI – Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu says the province must tread carefully with the Just Energy Transition (JET).
Ndlovu was addressing a mining and energy seminar, “Mpumalanga Business Connect,” held on Friday, March 8, 2025, in eMalahleni. He said the province must also acknowledge the uncertainties associated with JET, adding that while the transition offers opportunities for diversification and sustainability, it also poses significant risks to communities and industries dependent on traditional mining activities.
“Going forward and moving gradually towards renewable energy in South Africa, it is crucial to protect the workers at the coal-driven power stations and coal mines in Mpumalanga as much as possible during this process,” he said.
“The planned decommissioning of some of Eskom’s coal-driven power stations, such as Komati, Hendrina, Camden, and Grootvlei, in the next couple of years will impact these areas and the coal mining industry.”
Premier Ndlovu also announced plans for the province to host its own Mining Indaba, with April 17 proposed as the date. “As I outlined in my State of the Province Address last Friday (February 28), the province is planning to host a well-organised Mpumalanga Mining Indaba,” he said.
He further stated that the Mining Indaba would allow the province to explore strategies aimed at mitigating the risks posed by JET to communities and industries reliant on traditional mining while leveraging opportunities to create jobs, drive economic development, and ensure a fair and inclusive transition for all stakeholders.
Shadrack Sepenyane, from Motau Mining, told the publication that the Mining Indaba should have a meaningful impact on affected communities and those in the mainstream mining sector within Mpumalanga. “We should have the Mining Indaba held in Mpumalanga to address the issues affecting mining activities, as we are contributors to employment in the province,” he said.
“The annual Mining Indaba was held in Cape Town until the rights to host it were sold to a UK-based company, which is why registration fees are now charged in pounds instead of RandsSepenyane concluded by emphasising the importance of hosting a provincial Mining Indaba, stating that it would provide locals with an affordable alternative, as attending the Cape Town event is too costly for many.
The seminar was a resounding success, though some attendees indicated that they received their invitations late. It was attended by major mining houses and Eskom, which were given a platform to present how they contribute to the province’s economic growth and their social impact programmes.
