Andrew van Zyl, managing director of SRK Consulting (South Africa), highlights that good technical solutions are fundamental to the success of mining and industrial projects that are contributing to the growth of modern African economies.
What Are “Good Technical Solutions”?
These are engineering and scientific methods, designs, systems, and technologies that are:
- Effective – they work reliably and solve real problems.
- Efficient – they optimize use of resources such as energy, water, manpower, and capital.
- Safe and sustainable – they ensure worker safety, environmental protection, and long-term viability.
- Innovative and adaptable – they use modern tools like automation, AI, geotechnical modeling, and remote sensing to deal with the unique challenges in African environments.
2. Why Are They Important in Africa?
African countries are rich in natural resources and are increasingly leveraging mining and industrial development to grow their economies. However, these projects face unique challenges:
- Infrastructural gaps (transport, power, water)
- Environmental and social impact considerations
- Regulatory and compliance requirements
- Complex geological conditions
Good technical solutions help companies overcome these challenges and make projects:
- More bankable (attractive to investors)
- More resilient (able to handle risks)
- More socially acceptable (through better environmental and community integration)
3. Alignment With Global Standards
Van Zyl stresses the importance of aligning with international best practices and standards (like ISO, IFC Performance Standards, or NI 43-101). This is crucial for:
- Attracting international investment – investors demand compliance with global norms.
- Ensuring long-term viability – global standards often promote sustainability and continuous improvement.
- Maintaining credibility – alignment shows that operations are professional, ethical, and future-ready.
4. SRK Consulting’s Role
As a leading global consultancy, SRK helps clients in Africa to:
- Design robust mining and industrial solutions.
- Navigate complex environmental, social, and governance (ESG) challenges.
- Implement cutting-edge technologies and methodologies.
- Train local professionals and build capacity.
Andrew van Zyl emphasizes that technical excellence depends on skilled, multidisciplinary teams that work with integrity and rigor. He also highlights the importance of understanding the regulatory and community context, as changing rules and expectations—especially around water, the environment, sustainability, and governance—are increasingly shaping project outcomes. Companies must keep up with both mandatory and voluntary reporting requirements to ensure compliance and alignment with evolving standards.
🔹 Why Involve ESG Experts Early?
- Preventing “Fatal Flaws”
- Fatal flaws are major problems that could stop a project altogether—like failing to get environmental permits, strong opposition from local communities, or violating new regulations.
- By involving ESG specialists early, companies can identify and address these risks early, before they become costly or derail the project.
- Smoother Permitting Process
- Getting official approvals (environmental, social, etc.) is a complex process. If ESG issues are addressed from the beginning, companies are more likely to get the permits they need on time, avoiding delays.
🔹 Why ESG Is Increasingly Important in Africa?
- Many African companies now have ambitious sustainability goals—like reducing emissions, protecting biodiversity, or improving community relations.
- ESG professionals help ensure that technical solutions (like mine designs or infrastructure layouts) also meet these sustainability targets.
🔹 Multidisciplinary Collaboration
- Mining and industrial projects are not just technical challenges; they also involve social and environmental factors.
- That’s why success requires teams made up of engineers, geologists, environmental scientists, social specialists, and governance experts, all working together from the start.
SRK Consulting (SA) plays an active role in shaping and applying evolving industry standards through its ongoing projects. By working closely with regulatory bodies, the firm helps ensure reporting and compliance standards are practical and realistic, based on real-world feedback.
Their projects often span multiple countries, drawing on expertise from offices across Africa and internationally—such as in South Africa, Ghana, or China—depending on project needs.
Despite current market uncertainties, Andrew van Zyl emphasizes that high-quality engineering design remains essential. It ensures cost-effective, low-risk, and sustainable solutions, which are consistently valued by clients across Africa regardless of economic or political conditions
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