Bridging the Gap: Jon Samuel and Markus Reichardt on Responsibility in Mining

LONDON, 25/03/25

It’s got to be the investment in vocational infrastructure where mining and the public sector have to work together and say, this is where we—to come back to your second question about sustainability of a mining project—where the sustainability is achieved. That’s where you turn natural to human capital

The urgent need for critical minerals to fuel the global green transition presents both immense opportunities and significant challenges for the African continent. Recognising this pivotal moment, YGS Africa partnered with the Green Economy Society at UCL to host a compelling discussion featuring industry veterans Jon Samuel (Chair, Anglo American Foundation) and Markus Reichardt (VP Sustainability, Nextsource Materials).

The conversation, moderated by YGS Africa co-founders Nahum Fekadu and Egor Epifanov, tackled the core dilemma: how can mining companies work with Africa to harness its vast mineral wealth for both global decarbonisation as well as sustainable economic development and empowerment of its own communities?

Sustainability Beyond Extraction: The Need for Long-Term Vision

A recurring theme was the challenge of ensuring that the benefits of mining extend beyond the life of the mine iteself.  Markus Reichardt highlighted a critical failure point: "What's failing [...] is when the resource is exhausted [...] there's usually not the planning, willingness or capacity within the host country's government to take it over".  He described scenarios where mining companies build essential infrastructure like schools or clinics, only for these initiatives to become unustainable, "And when they’re done - whoosh", once the company departs due to a lack of local capacity or government commitment to ongoing upkeep.

This underscores a central tenet of YGS Africa's mission: fostering sustainable development requires building local capacity from the outset.  It is not just about extracting resources, but about creating resilient local economies and institutions that can manage and benefit from infrastructure and development long after a specific project concludes.

Infrastructure, Governance, and Reducing Investment Risk

Both speakers emphasised that attracting the long-term, patient capital required for minig investment hinges on more than just geology.  Jon pointed to the importance of "good governance, avoiding corruption, and predictability" alongside investments in "basic infrastructure and education" as key factors that differentatie successful resource-rich nations like Botswana or Chile.

Markus added the practical challenge of inadequate infrastructre, citing his own experience in Madagascar where logistical hurdles are immense.  Building essential infrastructure like roads, railways, and power cannot solely fall on mining companies.  This highlights the need for collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors - a gap YGS Africa aims to bridge in the education sector by fostering dialogue and partnerships.  Investing in modern curricula and technical skills in the field of geoscience is a fundamental part of building this enabling environment and reducing perceived investment risks in emerging markets.

Turning Natural Capital into Human Capital: The Power of Education

While mining is highly capital intensive - Jon estimated a ballpark $1 million in capital investment needed per job created - and cannot single-handedly solve Africa's youth employment challenge, its potential as a catalyst for broader economic growth is significant, with growth stemming from infrastructure development, supply chain opportunities, and crucially, skills transfer.  However, the speakers identified a critical bottleneck: a shortage of relevant skills and educational institutions, particularly vocational and technical expertise.  Jon highlighted the success of vocational training programs tailored to employer-demanded skills, demonstrating a clear pathway to high employment rates for young Africans.

Markus delivered a stark warning about the decline in traditional mining education globally, noting, "Mining engineering is predominantly a developing world country degree now by numbers".  He stressed the enduring need for practical, technical skills - from fixing heavy machinery to understanding complex geological data - which are often portable and highly sought after.

His words resonated deeply with YGS Africa's core objective: "It's got to be the investment in vocational infrastructure where mining and the public sector have to work together [...] where the sustainability is achieved.  Thats where you turn natural to human capital".

Looking Ahead: Collaboration and Accountability

The discussion also touched upon the evolution of industry standards, driven partly by investor (ESG) pressure and increasingly by customer demands for responsibly sourced materials.  While challenges remain, the trend towards greater transparency and sustainability is clear.

The event powerfully reaffirmed the mission of YGS Africa.  Empowering the next generation of African geoscientists is not just an educational goal; it is fundamental to achieving responsible resource management, sustainable economic diversification, and raising living standards across the continent.  We are committed to equipping Africa's youth with the skills needed to navigate the complexities of the 21st Century and lead the continent towards a prosperous and sustainable future built on its own rich resources and human potential.

Much thanks to Jon and Markus for speaking at our panel.  Your time and candour was greatly appreciated by all.

A full transcript of the event can be found below:

Reponsibility In Mining Transcript.pdf

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