Graduate Vuyiswa Mvelase makes her mark in the origins of a world-class ESG framework
Compiled by Sharyn Macnamara
African Mining visited the Sibanye-Stillwater DigiMine at the Wits Mining Institute in May this year. In the first of a series of articles, we look at the ground-breaking research the institute, in collaboration with a range of industry stakeholders, is involved in. The objective is to develop real-world solutions for mining, and other industries.
In discussing a number of projects on the go, DigiMine Laboratory head, Ahsan Mahboob, introduced Sharyn Macnamara to a rising star within the research team, Vuyiswa Mvelase. A young lady, who joined the team on a particular research theme, which is the subject of our first article in this series. Mvelase is at the forefront of a state-of-the-art ESG framework project. The current ESG landscape of the South African mining industry is typically characterised by unattainable mine site data, a lack of transparency in reporting, and additionally a lack of clarity on guidelines in relation to ESG reporting, says Mvelase.
Sibanye-Stillwater DigiMine at the Wits Mining Institute at the University of the Witswatersrand in Gauteng. Image by Wits Mining Institute
Mvelase explains that, while there is much certainty around the universal definition of environmental, social and governance (ESG), and with the industry showing active dialogue around ESG, not enough urgency has been shown in defining the necessary steps and changes that mining companies need to make to reduce the risks surrounding ESG challenges, gain stakeholder approval and lessen the level of scrutiny that mining companies are faced with where ESG is concerned. “One of the questions that may come up in conversations surrounding ESG may be whether the development of such a framework is the sole responsibility of the market, as market forces have proven to be at the forefront of encouraging an ESG-centric business environment or is it perhaps solely the burden of the South African government through regulatory intervention, or is this going to require a collaborative effort from both forces. A direct outcome of the lack of clarity surrounding ESG policy is shown by the large fraction of industry players falling short of successfully measuring and managing environmental, social and governance risk. The development of the framework was the only viable solution to lessening the burden that mining companies must carry when it comes to creating ESG strategies and policies. Especially given that there is currently no standardised reporting framework for ESG reporting.”
Wits ESG framework project
In the Wits framework, which is intended to support and guide the industry in successfully handling the challenges surrounding ESG, the first step taken was to look at the list of challenges the mining industry faces under each pillar of ESG, namely environmental, social and governance challenges. Although this framework has been designed specifically for the mining sector, the approach used can be implemented across many other industries as well. The next step was to expand on each challenge by defining its sub-factor to clearly define the nature of the challenge. Following this, it was necessary to identify the national and international policy and regulation documents that speak to each of the noted challenges. This formed the third layer of the framework. The last step was to identify a combination of technologies and strategies that are currently being used for each of the noted challenges across various industries. This process formed the fourth and final layer of the framework. Each layer can be seen on the Goalscape software screen provided. (See figure 1)
Figure 1: ESG Framework. Image by Wits Mining Institute
Macnamara drilled down to some of the detail in a Q&A session with the team:
DigiMine Laboratory head, Ahsan Mahboob. Image credit Wits Mining Institute
Vuyiswa, what is your background and how did you come to work on this particular project?
I received a BSc Hons in Mining Engineering from Wits University and have since interned in corporate and investment banking and taken finance courses, initially to help me deal with unemployment but quickly becoming interested in a career that would combine the engineering background with finance. I had the opportunity to work at DigiMine as part of an internship that started in mid-June 2022. When I arrived at DigiMine I asked to work specifically on research where I could use both my mining and finance background in the digital mining space and to my surprise learnt that there was a potential research topic in the pipeline on ESG in mining. I answered right away when Mr Ahsan Mahboob mentioned it, this was the subject I wanted to work on because of my impression of the vague conversations surrounding ESG, especially in mining, and how little understanding there was of how to handle mining ESG. Mr Mahboob added that the lab would introduce a new research theme titled, “Green Energy Minerals and Technology”, and this work will be part of that theme. I started working on the research in June 2022 under the supervision of Mr Mahboob and had weekly progress meetings until the end of November 2022, when I submitted the final report. After the first submission, it was decided to expand the scope and include the international layer of ESG-related standards. This final work was finished in February 2023.
Dr Iqra Atif, who, in 2020, was a postdoctoral fellow at the DigiMine Wits Mining Institute and now serves as a senior lecturer at the School of Geography, Archaeology, and Environmental Studies at Wits, and was one of the initial collaborators on the project. Image by Wits Mining Institute
This is a fantastic Wits initiative, and yet another success story where a young woman is making an impact in the mining industry. What have you learnt along this journey that you could share with other women to help inspire and guide them on their mining career path?
I appreciate your comments, especially the point about making an impact. I reached a point where I was more interested in seeking opportunities with a purpose and ones that would allow me to have a greater influence on the industry than just grabbing the first one that presented itself. It really felt like serendipity, walking into DigiMine, and getting an opportunity to work on something that would have a significant impact on the mining and business community as a whole. Understanding the weight this work carried, I committed to give my best and DigiMine provided all the necessary resources. And that brings me to the point I want to make to young women in the industry: there may not always be many opportunities available for us in the male-dominated field we are in, but it is important to seize those that do come along and to give them your all, no matter how insignificant they may seem – to set a standard of excellence even in the smallest tasks and dispel any negative narrative and misconceptions surrounding the capability of women in mining. In this way, young women coming after us might have a much easier journey to navigate.
What is on the cards for you going forward?
After my internship concluded at DigiMine, Mr Mahboob offered me an MSc bursary sponsored by Sibanye-Stillwater at DigiMine under the “Green Energy Minerals and Technology” research theme, with a focus on mapping carbon emissions identified in the ESG framework. Currently I am registered for the MSc Environmental Sciences programme under the supervision of Dr Iqra Atif at the School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies at Wits, where I am developing a digital framework and spatial model of underground mine carbon emissions. The primary goal of this research is to develop a framework for mining companies to use in calculating and modelling their underground carbon emissions. In the future, I hope to continue to have an impact on sustainability in the mining and energy sectors. I also aim to participate in research and projects related to South Africa’s shift to green mining and the renewable energy transition.
Mr Mahboob, is the project now fully complete, and how long has it been in the making?
The successful development of the ESG framework by Vuyiswa, whose Master’s research served as the final step of this phase, together with Dr Iqra Atif, who, in 2020, was a postdoctoral fellow at the DigiMine Wits Mining Institute and now serves as a senior lecturer at the School of Geography, Archaeology, and Environmental Studies at Wits, and was one of the initial collaborators on the project, is an ongoing effort.
From the project’s inception to the conclusion of this first phase, the timeline has been approximately three years, but the work will continue. With developing the ESG framework, we anticipate additional academic explorations and several postgraduate studies. This will also provide students with invaluable training opportunities in digital ESG-related research. Even though we have attained a major milestone, the project will continue to develop and expand its impact.
Sibanye-Stillwater DigiMine at the Wits Mining Institute at the University of the Witswatersrand in Gauteng. Image by Wits Mining Institute
To what degree have other entities, like the mining industry and the government, been involved to date?
This project, like other DigiMine initiatives, is multidisciplinary, and has been developed through collaborations with a range of stakeholders across multiple Wits University faculties, and including entities from the mining industry, and several technology partners. For instance, in searching for technological solutions to accurately map and predict dust contamination in and around mining areas, we have collaborated with the School of Geography, Archaeology, and Environmental Studies and Institute for Collider Particle Physics both at Wits University and CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research. These partnerships have been essential to the success of our work. Our ultimate goal is to share the outcomes of this research with stakeholders, including government organisations like the Mineral’s Council, to extend the benefits to the wider mining industry.
As we progress further in this area of research, we anticipate forging even more active and mutually beneficial partnerships. Therefore, not only does our research enhance our understanding, but it also provides real-world solutions to pressing issues faced by the mining industry.
What is the plan to roll this out to the mining industry, and other potential avenues?
Our plans to disseminate the findings of this DigiMine research are multifaceted and aim to encourage participation, collaboration, and implementation.
We intend to collaborate with mining companies and implement our research directly into their operations. Joint pilot programmes and initiatives on the ground can initiate the most effective results. In addition, we plan on developing and starting training programmes that translate our research findings into actionable knowledge for industry professionals. Our objective is to enable these professionals to understand and execute the research-driven principles and methods. A new cohort of postgraduate students will be trained at DigiMine, which will have a greater impact when these graduates enter the workforce with a comprehensive understanding of ESG-related issues and their potential digital solutions. Regular publication in reputable journals and presentation at industry conferences are also essential components of our rollout strategy. We intend to increase the visibility of our research and promote its widespread adoption.
These and other initiatives aim to create a smooth and efficient transition of our ESG research from academia to the mining industry and beyond. We are excited about the potential impact and will be ready to share our progress in the years to come.
Watch this space as we share more on DigiMine and its new research themes into the future.