What have been the main developments in SRK Consulting’s work in Africa over the past year?

2024 marked SRK’s 50th anniversary, a milestone that prompted us to think ahead to the future. In the consulting sector, it is vital to keep services relevant and aligned with global developments to identify the next generation of leaders, growth markets, new technologies, and new types of mines. One of the main imperatives for the sector is how to embrace AI to create more value for mining clients.

Fundamentally, SRK moves forward with a strong innovation focus, as we are always looking for ways to do things better, embracing opportunities presented by AI and smart tools. In 2024, for instance, we established a standalone innovation group, spun out of our technical committee and reporting directly to the global board.

How has the conversation around sustainability in mining evolved, and how is SRK helping mining companies embed sustainability across their operations?

Consultants like SRK have been talking about sustainability for the better part of the last four decades, but the conversation is no longer restricted to reducing the environmental impact of mining operations. It now extends across the full mining value chain. As engineers and scientists serving the mining sector, our role is to bring sustainability into the discussion at an early stage – for example, at the mine planning stage.

Designing a TSF, for instance, must consider not only engineering practicalities, but also the breadth of requirements in the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM). Design must fully account for the facility’s impact on the surrounding environment. We have recently completed a series of major TSF projects for the large PGM players in South Africa and Zimbabwe. The existing facilities had reached the end of their lifespans, forcing operators to build new ones in alignment with the new standards. This created an opportunity to introduce the principles envisaged in the GISTM.

Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) must now include contingencies to prevent environmental and social impacts, not just mitigation plans. Environmental considerations go well beyond carbon management. We must take into account climate change risk and support clients in adapting and building resilience in regions exposed to extreme weather events.

Perhaps a lesser-known area of our work is disaster management. For many years, our disaster management team has worked with government and municipal clients, but we are now applying that knowledge, experience, and technology to mining – developing disaster management plans that factor in extreme weather events.

The Consolidated Mining Standards Initiative (CMSI) is a positive step that will drive transparency and encourage all players to operate at a higher level. It will also allow investors and users of mining products to make informed decisions by procuring products that are produced sustainably.

SRK is celebrating 15 years in the DRC. How has your approach in the country evolved, and what opportunities do you see in the broader region, including Zambia?

In the 15 years of running our office in Lubumbashi, we have experienced various mining cycles, two attempted coups, and at least three elections. We now have a strong on-the-ground understanding of local conditions and a strategic position to work across the Copperbelt and the eastern region.

Despite being considered a high-risk jurisdiction, the DRC continues to attract investment thanks to its vast mineral wealth, especially copper, cobalt, and lithium. Over the last decade, Chinese investment has grown significantly. We have learnt a lot about working with Chinese companies, who often preferred to work with contractors from back home, which is understandable. We responded by working closely with the SRK Beijing office and creating a multi-country team involving South Africa, the DRC, and China. That has opened many doors. Our Congolese practice is ARSP-compliant, with 51% owned by Congolese citizens.

SRK also has a long history in Zambia. One of our founders, Dr. Oskar Steffen, worked on one of SRK’s first projects in Zambia back in 1974. Today, rising copper demand and a pro-mining government are driving rapid growth in the Zambian sector, with significant activity on the ground, especially in copper.

Which areas of mining expertise are most at risk of being lost as senior professionals retire?

There are skills shortages across mining disciplines, but the most glaring gap is in tailings engineering. There is also a clear age gap, with too few professionals between 35 and 55. The problem is that fresh graduates often lack practical mining experience. Previous generations gained much of their training post-university, directly on mines, but those opportunities are now limited. At SRK, we provide bursaries, internships, post-graduate training, and development schemes. Even retaining just 20% of our trainees benefits us, as others gain experience elsewhere and may work with us again as clients or employees.

How does SRK combine multi-disciplinarity with deep expertise in specific fields?

We pride ourselves on being specialists in every service we offer in-house. Our people are at the leading edge of the disciplines in which they practice. At the same time, mining needs integration across disciplines, offering full cradle-to-grave services across the mining cycle. The industry values partners that can be alongside them from early exploration to mine closure and everything in between.When we are looking at a problem, we can call in multiple experts from different fields to provide diverse insights. That kind of integrated approach gives us the best opportunity to find optimal solutions for the challenges facing our clients.

What are the main trends, commodities, and jurisdictions that call for attention in 2025-2026?

The mining industry in 2025-2026 will be shaped by the global energy transition, technological advancements, and geopolitical shifts. Critical minerals like lithium, copper, and nickel will dominate attention. However, with the current geopolitical tensions and inflation, precious metals – in particular gold, as a safe-haven asset, and increasingly silver – will drive demand. Jurisdictions with both a stable regulatory environment and abundant resources will attract the most investment. However, resource nationalism, ESG compliance, and supply chain disruptions will require careful navigation.