Aspasa

Held under the topical theme, “Thriving in Uncertainty”, the 2026 Institute of Quarrying Southern Africa (IQSA) Conference and Exhibition, in collaboration with ASPASA, highlighted the remarkable resilience and adaptability of the quarrying industry in the face of overregulation, skills shortages, illegal mining and rising input costs. A record turnout of delegates and exhibitors demonstrated a strong commitment from both the industry and its supply chain to overcoming these challenges and enabling the sector to thrive amid uncertainty. Munesu Shoko attended the event and filed this report.

Existing mines and quarries often regard Environmental Due Diligence as a ‘grudge purchase’ because it is generally perceived as a costly regulatory burden rather than a value-adding investment. Yet, according to Lynn Jones of Umhlaba Environmental Consulting, this proactive process helps owners identify, assess and manage potential environmental risks before they escalate into major costly problems or disruptions. By Munesu Shoko.