14/08/2025
Building a Sustainable Mining Future – Day 1 Highlights from the Sasol SME Mining Summit Secunda
The Sasol SME Mining Summit kicked off yesterday, 12 August 2025, at the Sasol Recreation Club in Secunda, bringing together industry leaders, SMEs, and key stakeholders under the theme “Building a Sustainable Mining Future: Empowering SMEs for Long-Term Impact.”
Day 1 set a powerful tone, with keynote addresses from Sasol leadership outlining the company’s strategic direction and reaffirming its commitment to integrating SMEs into its growth journey. Speakers emphasized that SMEs are not just service providers they are critical partners in building a resilient, innovative, and inclusive mining ecosystem.
The discussions unpacked the current mining landscape, highlighting both barriers to entry and the opportunities available for SMEs that are ready to innovate and align with industry needs. Sasol’s Supply Chain Leadership Address further illustrated how the company is creating pathways for SME participation, focusing on shared value and sustainable supply chains.
One of the standout moments of the day was the SME Showcase Panel, featuring Barutile Unity Makofane CEO of Mmasikhirikhiri Trading Enterprise She shared her inspiring journey through Sasol’s first Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) programme for Women in Mining Incubation. This initiative became a catalyst for growth, opening new doors for Mmasikhirikhiri Trading Enterprise to enter the mining value chain and secure opportunities with Sasol Mining and beyond. Her story underscored how strategic ESD support can empower SMEs to scale, compete, and contribute meaningfully to the sector.
Panels and fireside chats also addressed essential topics such as:
Safety First, Always fostering a zero-harm mining culture through innovation.
Sustainable Supply Chains ensuring long-term resilience and responsible sourcing.
People & Wellness keeping the human core of mining at the forefront.
A recurring theme throughout the day was the importance of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in shaping the mining sector’s future. Speakers stressed that ESG is not a “nice-to-have” but a fundamental driver of competitiveness, economic impact, and long-term viability for both large corporations and SMEs.
The day closed with networking sessions, where SMEs had the chance to connect, collaborate, and position themselves for meaningful opportunities within the mining value chain.
With Day 2 promising insights into market access strategies, funding opportunities, and women in mining, the momentum is set to continue.
