Pretoria– Premier Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi today met with the Chairperson of the Council for Geoscience Mr Kelepile Molete, Chief Executive Officer, Mr Mosa Mabuza and senior management to explore areas of collaboration aimed at leveraging geoscientific information to advance economic growth, sustainable mining, infrastructure development, across the North West Province.
The meeting forms part of the Provincial Government's ongoing efforts to strengthen
partnerships with key institutions that can contribute to evidence-based planning and support the province's developmental objectives.Discussions centred on the strategic role of geoscience in unlocking investment opportunities, supporting responsible mineral resource development, improving land-use planning, and enhancing the province's resilience to environmental and geological hazards.
Premier Mokgosi welcomed the engagement, noting that North West remains one of South Africa's leading mining provinces and that scientific research and geological mapping are critical in ensuring that the province derives maximum benefit from its natural resource endowment.
"The North West Province is richly endowed with mineral resources that continue to play a critical role in our economy. Our engagement with the Council for Geoscience is an important step towards strengthening collaboration in the areas of mineral exploration, infrastructure planning, environmental sustainability, and investment promotion. We are committed to ensuring that our mineral wealth contributes meaningfully to job creation, inclusive growth, and the improvement of the livelihoods of our people," said Premier Mokgosi.
Premier Mokgosi further emphasised the need for geoscientific data and expertise to support provincial initiatives aimed at attracting new investments, developing mining-adjacent industries, and identifying opportunities for economic diversification in mining-dependent communities.
The Council for Geoscience shared insights into its mandate and highlighted various programmes that assist government institutions in geological mapping and in particular the identification of mineral potential. Among the key issues discussed were opportunities for collaborative research, skills development, support for infrastructure projects, groundwater resource management, and the utilisation of geoscientific information to inform spatial planning and sustainable development.
Premier Mokgosi reaffirmed the Provincial Government's commitment to fostering strategic partnerships that bring together science, innovation, and development to address socio-economic challenges facing communities across the province.
"As government, we remain focused on building a capable developmental state that utilises scientific knowledge and innovation to guide decision-making. Our collaboration with institutions such as the Council for Geoscience will assist us in identifying practical solutions that support economic development, create opportunities for young people, and strengthen service delivery," added the Premier.
The North West Provincial Government will continue to engage stakeholders across the mining, scientific, academic, and business sectors to advance an integrated approach to economic development and sustainable resource management to see to the full implementation of the growth and development strategy.
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