At the 2026 Mining Indaba in Cape Town, South Africa, industry leaders are highlighting the urgent need for mining companies to cut their carbon emissions while staying competitive and appealing to global investors.

Disruptive extraction methods are posing new challenges for both communities and the environment, especially when they are introduced quickly or without strong regulation and proper consultation. According to Elsona van Huyssteen, Principal Researcher at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), effective technology is essential for modern extraction if mining is to become both more sustainable and more productive.

Van Hasten said the CSIR invests heavily in testing facilities and laboratories to ensure that new technologies are safe and do not cause harmful side effects. She added that the organisation also channels substantial resources into environmental rehabilitation, with particular emphasis on air pollution control, water management and ecosystem accountability. She explained that the CSIR’s mandate extends well beyond supporting mining operations and includes broader socio-economic development.

She said that achieving these goals requires far more financial support than is currently available. The CSIR receives only a small share of government funding for this work, which means partnerships with industry are crucial. Major mining companies, including Anglo American and Kumba, are investing significantly in community development, local partnerships and specialised research programmes. Industry players also support technologies designed to advance industrial development and improve environmental performance.

–ChannelAfrica–