Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy, Kornelia Shilunga has expressed concern at how the future of jobs in the mining industry will be protected amid the growing influence of automation in the 4th industrial revolution (41R).
Shilunga who was speaking at the opening of the Mining Expo and Conference last week highlighted that it was important to foster conversations on which elements of work will be first altered by disruptive futuristic technology in Namibia and how the workers will be protected.
“What the pandemic could not stopped however is the fact that over that period and up to this moment, there has been a constant evolution in the mining sector led by automation and the inescapable Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). This dramatic but steady tide is projected to bring about opportunities for the Namibian and indeed global economy, but of major concern is how the future jobs of today’s workers will be protected?
“As we discuss the inevitability of robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) and their potential to run our mines, perhaps what is key is to share how best we can use this generational opportunity to prepare a workforce that is able to navigate such a work-environment. We must begin to foster conversations on which elements of work will be first altered by disruptive futuristic technology in Namibia and how the workers will be protected. The role of unionism in the face of automation must be factored in, as well as the role unions are playing to prepare those whom they represent for the eventuality of a full-blown Fourth Industrial Revolution wave. Furthermore, key to that evolution is the ever-growing appetite by world governments, Namibia included, to leverage intermittent sources of energy via harnessing of wind, solar and natural gas,” Shilunga said.
Shilunga emphasised that as Namibia continues to sail through the murky waters of global uncertainties, and domestic problems, perhaps it was time to look at how Namibia can take advantage of these events and positions itself.
“We are meeting at this mining expo after months of rising fuel prices, and I am aware of how this has increased the cost of operations. But we are also witnessing an inflationary environment typified by multiple repo-rate hikes here at home and abroad.
“The question is how will we turn these challenges into opportunities, bad conditions to better ones, problems to solutions at home and abroad as mining companies and as regulations and policy makers. Therefore this mining Expo and conference came at create an opportune time that gives us a platform for the industry to meet here in person to engage and discuss the position of mining in Namibia’s mining Sector for renewed growth and expansion in a post Covid -19 spectrum,” Shilunga explained.
Globally, Shilunga said, we are all entering a window of opportunity to form the basis of the recovery and address political and socio – economic disruptions caused by the pandemic.
“Society, government and industries need to reshape, re-think, assess and transform the way we work. Having gone through the program of the two days of the conference, I tend to agree with the theme “breaking new frontiers in a post pandemic era”. Industry leaders are to connect, network with quality investors to display investment ideas, discuss ways of growth development, issues related to energy, value addition, environmental sustainability and responsibility, the future of the Namibian in mining sector, the effects of the 4IR and the green energy revolution such as GH2,” Shilunga further stated.
Conclusively, Shilunga said that the mandate of the ministry of Mines and Energy is to take custody of the diverse geological, mineral and energy resources and to ensure their contributions to the country’s socio – economic development.
“Therefore having the sector united under one roof as mining houses and service providers is encouraging and instils hope to the government and mines in particular that these demonstrations will be fruitful and will generate ideas that will make government honour its promises of delivering goods and services to the people of Namibia.
“It is my hope that this expo will showcase the latest in resource technology, expand the discussion of sustainable development with the leaders of the industry and also provide a forum to foster Namibia’s economic growth. The Government and the Ministry of Mines and Energy, will continue to create a conducive environment through regulations and policy making and our doors remain open. Let us work together for a socio economic development of Namibia, the continent Africa and the world.”