Redpath is a solutions provider supporting the underground mine development lifecycle.
international specialists are working alongside South African management and technical teams to establish the systems, skills and performance required from the outset. For mining companies making substantial investments in new orebodies, that ability to establish effective operations quickly can have significant implications. “When a client invests millions of rand into developing a new orebody, every month matters,” highlights Oosthuysen. The challenge, however, is to ensure that early performance translates into sustainable operational capability. A future built on people Ultimately, Oosthuysen sees the human element as the thread connecting the industry’s major priorities. Safety, productivity, technology and sustainability may appear to be separate challenges, but all depend on people having the skills, systems and culture to apply them effectively. “Mining has always been about people. Technology will continue to evolve, but the organisations that combine innovation, productivity, safety, and human development will be the ones that shape the future of mining in Africa,” he says. The continent’s mineral resources provide the opportunity, and technology can help unlock it. However, building the skills, partnerships and operational capability to develop those resources safely and sustainably will ultimately determine how much value Africa derives from its mining future. And that, concludes Oosthuysen, is where the industry’s attention should remain. n
the availability of experienced mining talent and the need to rapidly develop local capability,” says Oosthuysen. Redpath’s approach combines subject-matter expertise with structured training, on-the- job coaching, competency assessments, digital tracking and increasingly immersive learning technologies. The objective is not simply to bring specialist skills into an operation, but to develop the capability of local teams to sustain improved performance over the long term. “For me, the most rewarding part is seeing these improvements become sustainable because they are embedded into the client’s own teams and processes,” adds Oosthuysen. That emphasis on skills development is consistent with Redpath’s broader approach to training. The company describes ongoing training and professional development as central to its safety culture and continuous- improvement philosophy, while its operations also support local training and employment opportunities in the communities where it works. Technology with a purpose Technology will undoubtedly play an increasingly important role in mining, but Oosthuysen argues that its value should ultimately be measured by the operational problem it solves. Redpath’s global operations already incorporate technologies ranging from modern underground equipment and automation to digital systems and battery-powered equipment. Its corporate material emphasises
the use of technology to improve safety, productivity and operational efficiency rather than technology for its own sake. “The real value is that these solutions are not technology for technology’s sake. They address practical customer needs: safer operations, faster development of competent people, improved productivity, and greater operational sustainability,” says Oosthuysen. That practical focus is particularly important as mining operations become more complex. Technology can reduce exposure to risk, improve equipment utilisation and provide greater visibility into operational performance, but it needs to be integrated with the right processes and, critically, people who know how to use it effectively. From contractor to partner This is where Oosthuysen sees an important shift in the role of mining contractors. “At Redpath, we see ourselves as more than a mining contractor. We are a mining services and engineering partner that helps our clients build long-term capability.” That partnership model brings together Redpath’s international experience and local execution capability. The company’s project portfolio illustrates the breadth of that experience, including major African projects such as Mogalakwena, while its global operations span mine development, shaft sinking, raiseboring, production mining, underground construction and specialist engineering. Oosthuysen points to Mogalakwena as an example of how this combination can work in practice, where experienced
November 2026 | www.modernminingmagazine.co.za MODERN MINING 35
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