With businesses across the globe enduring uncertain times amid the Covid-19 pandemic, industry sectors must stand together and rebuild in a structured and sustainable way. That is the view of Nico Pienaar, director of South African surface mining industry association Aspasa.
Pienaar says that planning is already in progress for small-tier surface mines under the Aspasa banner to seek ways of rebuilding to ensure much-needed commodities such as aggregates for construction, salt, diamonds, clay and other commodities are available as soon as possible after the pandemic has run its course.
Headds that Aspasa’s supporting services will ensure that the surface mining springs back more quickly. He states that Aspasa is well set to assist the sector with its strong working relationship with all spheres of government, including the Department of Minerals and Energy, and the Minerals Council South Africa’s technical and supporting committees dealing with social security, health and safety, security, environmental and engineering issues.
“We are going to have to stand shoulder-to-shoulder and rebuild our nation together,” said Pienaar. “That is why we want all surface mines and quarries, as well as their supply chains, to become members and strengthen our response.”
Aspasa provides support services in the following areas that it says will undoubtedly be useful in months to come: international liaison, government liaison, engineering, security, legal compliance, technical and quality, public relations and industry promotion, internal liaison, transport management, environmental, social security, health and safety, HR and training, and general services.
