By Matšeliso Phulane
Lesotho will host the annual Mining Indaba Khotla from April 25 to 26 2024 at the Manthabiseng Convention Centre in Maseru.
The inaugural event is expected to put the spotlight on the significance of mining in the country.
It will be held under the theme, “The future of mining in the global landscape”.
The meeting will bring together industry leaders, investors, senior government officials, and other stakeholders to discuss collaboration efforts to advance sustainable and innovative ideas in the country’s mining sector.
One of the event organisers, Tando Mandela, said the gathering presents an opportunity for a frank discussion on critical issues that will shape the future of mining in Lesotho, based on a variety of issues including technological advancements, environmental stewardship, community engagement, labour related matters and economic development.
In a statement, Mandela noted that while Lesotho’s mining sector is faced with evolving challenges, it embraces the transformative opportunities that exist.
Some of the key objectives of the conference are:
• To ensure that the country’s mineral wealth contributes to national economic and social development
• To mitigate against the adverse social and environmental impacts of mineral development
• To ensure equitable access, transparency, and public participation in the sustainable development of the mining sector
• To pursue unclaimed pensions/compensation funds of ex miners
• To appeal to the South African mines and other countries for Corporate Social Investment (CSI).
• To create focus on the social labour plans support and finally, to stimulate investment in the mining sector, exploration, remining and expansion.
