# Industry players at the Electra Mining Expo held in Johannesburg have revealed that South Africa’s mining industry could miss out on the growing critical minerals boom due to skills shortages. The global shift towards electrification and clean energy is driving demand for minerals such as copper. Experts say urgent action is needed to address the shortage and unlock the sector’s potential. Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy president Gary Lane says the challenge is not a lack of graduates, but experienced and capable professionals needed to deliver on mining ambitions.
Skills shortage threatens South Africa’s critical minerals boom