Global safety and sustainability consulting firm DuPont Sustainable Solutions will convene a two-hour interactive executive forum at the Investing in African Mining Indaba on February 5.

The forum, which will take place in the roof terrace room at the Cape Town International Conference Centre and can host around 200 leading mining executives, will not only debate the issues mining companies face when implementing sustainable development initiatives, but will also examine what the focus areas should be for the delivery of the best concrete sustainability results.

Defined as the confluence of environmental stewardship, economic development and social development, the issue of sustainable development affects local communities, stakeholders and shareholders alike.

While many mining companies have bolstered their commitment to and understanding of sustainable development, the means by which companies implement sustainable development initiatives have not always been successful. This has left the commitment to sustainable development by the mining industry less strong than it should be. What needs to change for sustainability to take a firm hold on the mining industry?

To stimulate dialogue and leave ample time for interaction with the audience, DuPont has set up a facilitated panel discussion, which will be punctuated by live polling. Delegates will be able to respond to questions using their mobile phones with results being displayed instantaneously on a teleprompter.

As an official part of the Mining Indaba programme, which will run from February 3 to 6, the event is open to all delegates, though numbers are limited. With confirmed attendance by senior mining executives and government stakeholders, the outcome of the panel discussion will highlight key areas for improvement, as well as different approaches to solving the challenges that mining companies have to deal with in terms of sustainable development.

DuPont will present its solutions for safety and sustainability in the mining industry at its stand (1205/1207) at the Mining Indaba.