Modern Quarrying Q2 2023

Experienced mining practitioner, Collin Ramukhubathi, has been appointed as the new chairman of surface mining industry association ASPASA. NEW ASPASA CHAIRMAN W ith over two decades of experience in the mining industry, Collin has served in tices and comply with regulations - especially with junior mines. “ASPASA’s established audits are regarded highly by the industry and are regarded almost as highly as legal regulations in the country. This gives credibility to the organisation

various leadership positions in the private sector. He began his career as a mechanical technician at Basil Read in Botswana, where he laid the groundwork of his technical knowledge and vast experience of mining construction materials. Later, he worked for Afrisam in Gauteng and Ladysmith, then moved to Cape Town to join Portland quarry in 2006 before joining JSE-listed, mid-tier mining company Afrimat in 2009 as Area manager of the Western Cape business. Collin has built a respectable rep utation in Afrimat during the course of the past 14 years, and currently holds the position of Executive Director overseeing the depart ments of People Management and Sustainability respectively. Solid foundation Taking on the role of ASPASA Chairman, Collin believes that there is strength in unity and collaboration, particularly among small mines. He sees the need for ASPASA to play a significant role in helping mines meet best prac

ASPASA

when the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) visits their sites. As a result, we want to build on the foundation that ASPASA has already established and work more closely with related organisations to avoid duplicating their efforts. “Right now, our priority is to engage in the industry and demon strate the strength of ASPASA’s work to our members and prospec tive members. The organisation has a significant opportunity to help the industry and we want to extend our focus on community involvement, and other stakehold ers and work closely in this regard with the Minerals Council South Africa (Mincosa) and other external stakeholders. “We also want to take advantage of our relationship with the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) to promote the use of commercial quality aggre gates rather than borrow pits next

Collin Ramukhubathi

Facing the future He recommends that industry-wide solutions be found for some of the largest challenges facing the sector, such as load shedding and delays in infrastructure spending, which need to be fast-tracked. He also mentions the backlog of low-cost housing, Transnet rail infrastruc ture, community unhappiness with service delivery, crime, and busi ness forums as his main concerns. He believes that by collaborating and becoming part of the solution, ASPASA can use its expertise to identify and engage in practical ways to find solutions to these chal lenges. As the new chairman, Collin is excited to work with the manage ment committee team and build on what they have achieved so far. He is grateful to be surrounded by the industry giants and experience the management committee has. Collin is looking forward to col laborating with members, including those representing smaller mines who are represented on the board. We will all learn from each other’s experience, strengths and weak nesses to make ASPASA more effective. l

to existing mines. That is why large quarries as well as small mines should get involved in the

process. It is also why ASPASA has played an instrumental role in the establish ment of junior miners’ seats on Mincosa to help stakeholders under stand the challenges of smaller mines and the importance of cham pioning their cause at the highest level,” says Ramukhubathi.

Right now, our priority is to engage in the industry and demonstrate the strength of ASPASA’s work to our members and prospective members.

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MODERN QUARRYING QUARTER 2 | 2023