Mining’s AI future will depend on people as well as technology
October 2026
IT in Manufacturing
By Tshidi Mndzebele, chief executive officer of AvenirHoldings.
Tshidi Mndzebele, chief executive officer of AvenirHoldings.
South Africa’s mining industry employs around 470 000 people, and it cannot afford a digital transformation that leaves its workforce behind. The industry is entering a new era of digitalisation, artificial intelligence and automation. According to the CSIR’s State of Digital Transformation in the South African Mining Industry study, all mining leaders surveyed are making the transition to digitalisation.
For Tshidi Mndzebele, award-winning engineer and chief executive officer of AvenirHoldings, this makes the discussion around people, skills and confidence just as important as the one around technology. “Technology is not here to replace the people who are employed in the industry. It is here to enable greater efficiency, improve safety and help people do their jobs better,” she says. But this will not happen automatically.
Five things mining needs to get right as technology accelerates
The first is to put people at the centre of digital transformation. Technology should not simply be introduced from the top down. Employees need to understand why new systems are being introduced, how their roles may change and how they can participate in the transformation.
The second is to replace fear with knowledge. Fear and uncertainty can quickly become barriers to technology adoption. Open communication, awareness and practical exposure can help employees understand technology as an enabler rather than a threat.
The third is to reskill before roles change. As automation and AI reshape certain jobs, the response cannot simply be job reduction. Mining companies need to invest in reskilling and upskilling so that existing employees can adapt to new roles and opportunities.
The fourth is to make technology work for people. The purpose of digitalisation should be more than simply improving productivity. Technology has the potential to support safer working environments, better decision-making and greater efficiency, while strengthening human capability rather than replacing it.
The fifth is to ensure no one is left behind. South Africa cannot afford a digital divide within one of its most important industries. The benefits of mining modernisation need to extend beyond technology, creating a workforce that is more skilled, confident and prepared for the future.“The fear must be removed, and we need to close the awareness gap for the benefit of the people in the industry,” says Mndzebele.The success of mining’s digital transformation will be measured less by how much AI, automation or new technology the industry adopts, and more by what happens to the people who have to work alongside it.
For more information contact AvenirHoldings, +27 10 541 0593,[email protected], www.avenirgroup.co.za
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