Minerals Council South Africa Updates Climate Change Position Ahead of COP31

The Minerals Council South Africa has launched its updated 2026 Climate Change Position, reaffirming the mining industry’s commitment to responsible climate action and a just transition that supports economic growth, energy security and sustainable development.

The revised position was unveiled at the organisation’s first Climate Change Day of Learning, themed Mining, Climate Action and the Road to COP31, ahead of the United Nations COP31 climate talks scheduled to take place in Turkey in November 2026.

Building on its 2023 Climate Change Position, the updated framework recognises South Africa’s status as a developing country under the Paris Agreement and outlines an approach to achieving net-zero emissions that considers the country’s economic circumstances, development priorities and natural resource endowments.

The Minerals Council said the transition must be practical and economically viable while creating the conditions necessary to attract investment and maintain a competitive mining industry.

“Mining is central to both South Africa’s development and the global climate transition. We need to reduce emissions and strengthen resilience while attracting the investment needed to grow a competitive mining sector, sustain and create jobs, support communities, and bolster South Africa’s economic development. Climate ambition and economic growth must reinforce each other,” said Shamini Harrington, Senior Executive: Environment, Health, Legacies and Employment Relations at the Minerals Council.

Mining’s Dual Role in the Energy Transition

The updated position highlights the mining industry’s dual responsibility in the global energy transition: reducing emissions and strengthening climate resilience across its operations and surrounding communities while supplying the minerals required for renewable energy, electrification and low-carbon technologies.

South Africa possesses significant deposits of minerals essential to the transition, including platinum group metals (PGMs), manganese, chrome, iron ore and vanadium.

The Minerals Council argues that a growing and investable mining sector will be critical to mobilising the capital needed for decarbonisation and climate resilience, while continuing to support employment, communities and broader economic development.

The position also aligns with the council’s wider Investment and Growth Strategy and its participation in the Government-Business Partnership, which identifies mining as a priority sector for revitalising South Africa’s economy.

Through collaboration with government and business, the industry is supporting efforts to improve competitiveness, strengthen investor confidence and increase investment in the country’s mining sector.

Energy Security Remains a Priority

Reliable and affordable energy remains central to the Minerals Council’s updated climate position.

The council recognises that coal continues to play an important role in South Africa’s energy security, industrial base and economy as the country gradually diversifies its energy mix to incorporate renewable energy, gas and nuclear power.

It maintains that the transition must be carefully managed to enable emissions reductions without undermining economic activity, employment and communities dependent on the mining industry.

The approach also emphasises the need to create new economic opportunities for workers and mining regions as the energy system evolves.

Industry Prepares for COP31

The launch formed part of the Minerals Council’s 2026 Climate Change Day of Learning, which brought together mining industry representatives, government officials and climate specialists to discuss the relationship between mining growth and climate action.

Discussions focused on climate policy, carbon markets, renewable energy and practical approaches to reducing mining emissions while maintaining industry competitiveness.

The updated position reinforces the council’s view that South Africa’s climate transition must balance environmental responsibility with economic development, energy security and the country’s ability to supply minerals needed for the global low-carbon economy.

As preparations continue for COP31, the Minerals Council is positioning the mining sector as both a contributor to climate solutions and an industry requiring a stable, affordable and supportive policy environment to achieve its transition objectives.