Modern Mining July 2023

time required for implementation than originally envisaged. The report also suggested that EV and the hydrogen economy components be developed as a sector under the Investment Plan and that public private partnerships be used to finance the upgrades to the national grid within the context of the National Transmission Company of South Africa, once established under Eskom Holdings. South Africa is uniquely poised to take advan tage of the increased demand for green metals as we can supply most of them: provided we make smarter policy choices, streamline our permitting systems and processes; and create sufficient space for the industry to contribute capital and skill to the Just Energy Transition in a manner that optimises implementation. 

not less! So, the transition will be built on metals and minerals as core ingredients in the energy transi tion. Accordingly, the tension between demand and supply dynamics on one hand and ESG on the other needs to be managed and mitigated. However, as a recent banking advert stated: It is not either net profit or net zero emissions, it can be both. According to a relatively recent IMF report (Jan 2021), the demand for green metals will require increased investment in mining in an uncertain eco nomic climate locally and globally between now and 2050 because the demand for green metals is likely to increase by 25% to 30% (compounded annually). It also implies that there are likely to be supply short ages in the short to medium term, where demand will outstrip supply, causing prices to tick upwards. A typical electric vehicle battery pack, for example, needs around 8 kilograms of lithium, 35 kilograms of nickel, 20 kilograms of manganese and 14 kilograms of cobalt, while charging stations require substantial amounts of copper. For green power, solar panels use large quantities of copper, silicon, silver and zinc, while wind turbines require iron ore, copper, and aluminium. In the Presidential Climate Commission report on the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (issued on 15 May 2023), the authors advocated in-depth consultation with stakeholders to ensure access to affordable electricity for vulnerable communities and to mitigate potential job losses. It suggested that the implementation should be in two phases to allow for skills development and capacitation, which implies that implementation will require roughly double the

South Africa is uniquely poised to take advantage of the increased demand for green metals.

Mining companies with ESG considerations in mind, have been quick to embrace renewables.

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