Minerals Council South Africa senior climate specialist Shalendra Subramoney believes that climate ambition and economic growth must reinforce each other.
“We believe that climate action and growth need to reinforce each other, because a growing investable mining industry is much more better able to decarbonise, to build resilience, and to innovate,” Subramoney explained.
The launch of the Minerals Council’s updated position formed part of the Minerals Council’s 2026 Climate Change Day of Learning, themed “Mining, climate action and the road to COP3.” The event brought together the mining industry, government and climate specialists to discuss climate policy, carbon markets, renewable energy and practical approaches to mining growth and decarbonisation.
The Minerals Council’s updated position is enshrined within the context of South Africa as a developing country under the auspices of the Paris Agreement, towards a responsible net zero transition. The position was released ahead of COP31 global climate negotiations in Turkey during November.
The updated position continues to recognise the importance of reliable and affordable energy. Coal continues to play an important role in South Africa’s energy security, industrial base and economy as the country’s energy system progressively diversifies towards the inclusion of other energy sources such as renewable energy, gas and nuclear.
The transition must be carefully managed to enable decarbonisation while protecting economic activity, jobs and communities and creating new opportunities for workers and mining regions, miningweekly.com reports.
Alex Shishlo, Editor in Chief of the European Bureau, Rough&Polished
