With the demand for critical minerals projected to grow two-fold by 2030, Africa’s exploration market has become increasingly attractive for global mining companies. In a conversation with Energy Capital & Power, Sara Turnbull, Senior Exploration Geologist at mining consultancy firm SRK Exploration (SRK EX), shared insight into Africa’s exploration stronghold, the role of cadastre and mapping software, and why ESG should be at the forefront of mining operations.
How can Africa compete with the likes of China, Russia, Australia to attract the investment it needs to develop its mineral resources?
Africa is already competing, and I think it has a competitive advantage in comparison to more mature exploration spaces such as China or Australia. The continent offers the opportunity to discover large deposits due to its vast and under-explored areas. This untapped potential of Africa is attractive to investors looking for new deposits to develop. I think that African countries are doing a great job in encouraging partnerships and advertising their interest for foreign investment, enhancing their appeal to the global exploration and mining sector.
What solutions does SRK Consulting offer to support mineral exploration in Africa?
There are several initiatives being implemented at SRK but the one I am most excited about is M-VAP, the Management and Valuation through Absolute Prospectivity. This bespoke platform is the result of a collaborative effort between SRK EX and the University of Exeter’s School of Mathematics and Statistics, harnessing the expertise of both exploration geologists and data scientists. M-VAP represents an integrated approach that incorporates numerous critical layers of data, such as geological maps, structural interpretations, economic discoveries, exploration maturity, ESG factors like environmentally sensitive areas, and any other relevant information.
It is a particularly powerful tool that, for example, governments could use to assess and showcase their nations’ mineral endowment.
How can African nations adapt their strategies for exploration, especially as near-surface deposits become increasingly scarce?
The more accessible and near-surface deposits are becoming scarcer which is prompting the need for multifaceted and multidisciplinary approaches in exploration strategies. By using information from known deposits, we can infer prospectivity in similar geological settings. This method allows us to identify potential for new deposits not only at surface but at depth. It is also important to include technological advancements in machine learning and algorithms that can assist with analyzing “big data” to help prioritize the areas of highest prospectivity much faster than a human. By training these algorithms, they can assist with speeding up the process of identifying and predicting similar deposits in unexplored areas. There has also been success in government-funded country-wide data acquisition, such as geophysical surveys, which can really help to demonstrate exploration potential and attract investment.
How does a mining cadastre enhance transparency and consequently attract more foreign investment in the mining sector?
The cadastre is a platform for managing exploration and mining licences that enhance transparency in the exploration and mining sector which in turn builds trust in the country’s governance and therefore attracts more investment. So, from the perspective of a junior miner or new investors, they can start strategically looking at areas that they want to invest in. Investors can utilize the cadastre to see who holds these licenses. This enables investors to either approach the owners of the landholding to form a partnership – or apply for the landholding themselves directly. The transparency the cadastre system encourages investment as there is a clear, accessible overview of land ownership and under what terms. A cadastre system not only aids in decision-making for investors but also promotes a fair and competitive environment in the exploration and mining sector. Ideally, the cadastre can be supplement with data such as mineral occurrences, geological maps and protected areas; this helps to give context to investors in assessing opportunities.
From a workforce perspective, what steps can be taken to improve capacity building in the mining industry?
There is widespread concern within the exploration and mining industry about the shortage of skilled professionals in the workforce. It is, therefore, critical to not only build capacity but also retain this talent within the industry. The industry needs to implement various strategies to enhance capacity. At SRK, a multidisciplinary organization, staff are given exposure to numerous disciplines. This ensures that professionals not only acquire transferable skills but also develop a comprehensive understanding of the industry. In my personal capacity, I’ve often been invited to different universities and workshops for young professional to discuss exploration geology. This allows me to offer students and young professionals a real-world perspective and to provide insights into developing both their technical and soft skills. I’m also part of a mentorship program with Women in Mining South Africa as well as the Geological Society of South Africa. These steps prepare the workforce to tackle current challenges and to adapt to any future changes. This will not only improve an individual career prospects but also enhance productivity and sustainability of the mining sector’s workforce, helping to make mining an attractive career choice. Greater awareness of mining’s role in a more sustainable future is also important in attracting skilled workers.
