The Minerals Council South Africa has launched its 2026 Climate Change Position, affirming the mining industry’s commitment to responsible climate action alongside a just and orderly transition. It puts the country’s development, energy security, and long-term growth in focus.
The council’s new position on climate change builds on its 2023 position while reflecting the changing macroeconomic environment, both at home and globally. It also notes that the transition must reflect the country’s development priorities and natural resource reserves. At the same time, it must create an enabling environment for the investment and growth needed for a competitive and sustainable mining sector.
The new position was released ahead of the UN’s 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) negotiations in Türkiye, taking place this month.
Minerals Council South Africa Senior Executive Shamini Harrington notes that the new position recognises how central mining is to South Africa’s development and the global transition.
“We need to reduce emissions and strengthen resilience while attracting the investment needed to grow a competitive mining sector, sustain and create jobs, support communities, and bolster South Africa’s economic development,” Harrington says.
“Climate ambition and economic growth must reinforce each other.”
The Minerals Council notes mining’s dual role in the global transition: supplying the minerals needed for electrification and decarbonisation technologies, while also decarbonising its own operations and supporting its communities.
The council stresses the need for a growing and investable mining sector in order to produce the metals and minerals needed for decarbonisation, with mining being a priority growth sector for South Africa’s economy.
The updated position also takes into account the essential role of coal in South Africa’s energy security and economy, even while the country diversifies away from it and into renewables, gas, and nuclear.
“The transition must be carefully managed to enable decarbonisation while protecting economic activity, jobs, and communities and creating new opportunities for workers and mining regions,” the Minerals Council South Africa states.
Discussions at COP31 are set to commence on 9 November 2026. The Minerals Council’s updated position highlights the challenges and opportunities facing resource-rich economies, with South Africa aiming to balance climate ambitions with growth, jobs, and energy security.
Write to Amy Rotman at Mining.com.au
Main image: Minerals Council South Africa
