Vis Reddy, chairman of SRK Consulting (South Africa) and global Africa lead
In many parts of Africa, mining remains a frontier sector, frequently arriving as the first large-scale investment in remote or underdeveloped regions; its impact, however, extends far beyond extraction.
According to Vis Reddy, chairman of SRK Consulting (South Africa) and global Africa lead, mining companies have been the pioneers in many emerging economies.
“They often go into areas where infrastructure is not yet in place, and they have to create it – not just for the mine, but for everything that follows,” said Reddy.
“This catalytic effect is visible across the continent. In the Copperbelt of Zambia and the DRC, for instance, rapid mining expansion has driven urbanisation, new business formation and service industries.”
Transport corridors originally developed to export minerals are now enabling agricultural trade and regional commerce. Historically, mining companies have borne much of the burden of funding the rail, power and water facilities they need. This may initially reduce their competitiveness, but without that infrastructure, most projects are not viable.
Infrastructure as catalyst
Darryll Kilian, partner and principal consultant in environment, social and governance (ESG) at SRK Consulting (South Africa)
There is growing recognition, however, that a commitment to this infrastructure is vital to attract and retain private investor interest in primary, secondary and tertiary sectors.
“There is a meeting of minds across Africa,” said Reddy. “The lack of competitive infrastructure has clearly hampered development and, today more than ever, all stakeholders are talking about the need for better infrastructure.”
Darryll Kilian, partner and principal consultant in environment, social and governance (ESG) at SRK Consulting (South Africa), reiterated that mines create an epicentre for a range of other activities.
“A mine’s presence – and the products and services it procures – enable other industries and developments,” said Kilian. “The infrastructure that supports a mine then also becomes a catalyst for broader economic activity.”
He pointed to regional logistics initiatives such as the Lobito Corridor – which links the DRC and Zambia to Angola’s Atlantic coast – to illustrate how such infrastructure can even unlock cross-border trade and diversify export routes.
Broadening expertise
Kilian highlighted how SRK Consulting’s work has evolved alongside these realities, broadening from mine-focused studies, reviews and audits to encompass other vital developmental disciplines such as ESG, water stewardship and energy.
“The challenge of reliable energy provision has created an industrial bottleneck,” he said. “Without a steady supply of affordable power, countries cannot develop at scale.”
SRK has been involved in high-voltage transmission projects and regional power integration initiatives aligned with the Southern African Power Pool, he noted, helping to move electricity across borders and support both mining and industrial growth. Beyond large-scale infrastructure, the firm’s work increasingly extends into governance systems and sustainability frameworks.
Its network of local practices around Africa has proved to be an important factor enabling SRK Consulting to operate at the intersection of geology, engineering and sustainability – enhancing the developmental impact of the mining sector.
Local presence
A central theme in SRK’s African strategy has been localisation – as part of its business model and commitment to knowledge sharing and capacity building, said Reddy. He noted that, more recently, many countries in Africa have made localisation a regulatory requirement to ensure more local participation in sectors like mining.
“There are increasing restrictions on expatriates,” he said. “This could mean that a foreign expert can only work a limited number of days on site each year, which disrupts continuity on a project. Our teams of local professionals largely solve that challenge.”
Having in-country expertise also brings SRK closer to daily realities, explained Kilian, giving the company a better understanding of how the local economy and stakeholder relationships work in practice.
Responsiveness
“It’s about relationships, responsiveness and being able to engage directly with stakeholders – from clients and suppliers to government officials and local communities,” he said. “This makes it easier to engage, to resolve issues and to keep momentum in project work.”
This local presence also allows easier and quicker access to the regions around the SRK’s hubs, taking the company’s contribution beyond its technical capability and making it an integral part of the local economic ecosystem.
With established offices in South Africa, Ghana and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – augmented most recently by another practice in Zambia – SRK Consulting has pursued a deliberate strategy to be closer to the mining hubs it serves. This presence has also helped support the growth of Africa’s infrastructure and systems – which transform mineral resources into broader economic value.
Paving the way for development
Among the projects which have benefitted from SRK Consulting’s expertise is the Cassinga Power Supply Project in Angola. The company conducted a comprehensive environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) that examined biodiversity, water resources, climate risks and community impacts, while developing management plans to guide project implementation.
In Zambia, SRK supported British International Investment in a contextual risk assessment and development of a risk framework to guide investments in SMEs. In this way, the company contributes not only to shaping projects, but to supporting investment ecosystems.
Environmental and Social Management Systems were also developed for Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) in Zambia, as well as for its renewables subsidiary and two solar power projects receiving funds from lenders. The CEC is expanding its solar capacity to 230 MW by 2026, with major projects including the Itimpi (I and II) and Riverside solar plants. In this process, $500 million is being invested in generation and transmission upgrades. SRK’s contribution included gap analysis, policy development and alignment with international standards such as IFC Performance Standards and ISO systems.
Improving urban sanitation
In Cote d’Ivoire’s capital of Abidjan, SRK Consulting’s ESG team is working with Germany-based Gauff Engineering to improve stormwater management and wastewater treatment capacity. Projects included upgrades to a large-scale stormwater drainage system and a new wastewater treatment plant, which will be constructed from early 2027.
SRK is leading the ESIAs in accordance with national requirements and Good International Industry Practice (GIIP), including International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards. Working closely with local partners, the team collected data, engaged with stakeholders, assessed impacts and developed Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs).
This work will deliver significant benefits by reducing flood risk, improving sanitation and enhancing public health outcomes – while strengthening climate resilience in Abidjan’s rapidly urbanising areas.
Engineering better water treatment
Important refurbishment work is being undertaken on 10 wastewater treatment works in the city of Tshwane, South Africa, by SRK Consulting’s civil engineering team focused on water projects (WATCIV).
Working with the country’s Department of Public Works, SRK’s WATCIV civil engineers are conducting condition assessments for each facility – reviewing each plant’s capacity to evaluate whether they still align with current guidelines. Further design work will be done to bring the infrastructure into line with applicable standards and guidelines.
SRK will also compile the tender documentation for the refurbishment programme and supervise the civil scope of works to support quality delivery on site.