By By National Press Club News
Former Mpumalanga premier and businessman, Dr. Matthews Phosa, has urged government to give young people mining licenses and pledged that his company and others are ready to support them with funding, resources, and markets.
Speaking at the African Critical Minerals Summit at the Indaba Hotel in Fourways, Sandton, Phosa told delegates that youth inclusion is the only way to transform the mining sector and communities.
“Government must give young people licenses to mine,” Phosa said. “If they are given a chance, my company and other companies will step in to support them — by helping with funding, showing them where to get resources, and guiding them on where to sell their minerals. That is how we create jobs and new business leaders.”
Echoing Phosa’s sentiments, Fortune Mlalazi of Goldfix Engineering (Pvt) Ltd urged government to legalize illegal mining operations. He said that by formalizing the activities of zama zamas, the state could reduce crime while creating employment opportunities.
“Legalizing small-scale mining will stop the zama zamas from working underground illegally and instead bring them into the formal economy,” Mlalazi explained. “This will not only improve safety but also create jobs for our people.”
The two-day summit brought together leaders, investors, and experts to discuss how Africa’s critical minerals — such as platinum, lithium, and cobalt — can benefit local communities and the continent at large.
Both Phosa and Mlalazi stressed that Africa’s wealth must uplift its own people, especially the youth and small-scale miners who are often left out of mainstream mining opportunities.
The African Critical Minerals Summit ends on Tuesday, with further discussions expected on how best to ensure Africa’s mineral riches benefit its citizens first.
