As South Africa’s largest gold producer by volume, Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited has shaped the sector for the past 75 years. Dr Urishanie Govender, Chief Sustainability Officer and acclaimed global sustainability leader, takes us through the company’s journey to build a greener future.
MINING WITH PURPOSE
Whilst the industry may have been traditionally viewed as old-fashioned or purely extractive, today’s mining is undergoing a remarkable transformation, making it one of the most exciting sectors to be a part of.
Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (Harmony) – a gold mining specialist with a growing international copper footprint – recognises a cultural shift across the industry, where there’s a strong commitment to operate more sustainably and responsibly than ever before.
This entails tackling climate change, investing in renewable energy, and ensuring that mining activities drive socioeconomic upliftment in host communities. Together, these changes signal that mining is evolving into a high-tech, purpose-driven industry.
“Harmony’s push for minerals like copper means mining is at the heart of the low-carbon future. Being part of this industry now means contributing to solutions for climate change and sustainability on a global scale,” expands Dr Urishanie Govender, Chief Sustainability Officer.
“Mining is more than just extracting ore – it’s about empowering our people, embracing sustainability, and delivering value to society.”
Harmony has emerged as an industry benchmark for sustainable mining, with its ‘mining with purpose’ ethos integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into every facet of the business.
From large-scale solar energy projects and leading the world in gold tailings reclamation to expanding into copper to power the low-carbon transition, Harmony demonstrates sustainability leadership, with
Dr Govender proudly guiding the team.
A FORWARD-THINKING APPROACH
Dr Govender’s journey began with a strong foundation in science, which she applied to environmental and safety leadership roles where she led ESG initiatives and saw firsthand how responsible practices could improve both safety and profitability.
“This experience fuelled my interest in the industry: I became convinced that mining, which is often seen as a traditional sector, can be transformed through sustainability,” she insights.
Over the years, Dr Govender has headed sustainability and safety divisions in both mining and engineering firms, even serving as a board member for South Africa’s National Parks (SANParks).
Each chapter of her career strengthened the belief that mining can be a force for good. By the time she joined Harmony in 2024, it was clear that sustainability was a passion she wished to further in her role.
“I was drawn to the mining industry precisely because it presented an opportunity to drive meaningful change at scale. Harmony touches on critical issues like environmental stewardship, community development, and innovation – with sustainability at its core,” she details.
The company is, therefore, the perfect catalyst to engage modern mining. As South Africa’s (SA) largest gold producer by volume, having helped shape the industry for over seven decades, Harmony operates across SA, Papua New Guinea, and Australia.
UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO SAFETY AND PEOPLE
Harmony’s differentiator can be summed up in one phrase: ‘mining with purpose’. In such a competitive industry, the company’s deeply ingrained values-driven approach and long-term, strategic mindset separate it from the rest.
Meanwhile, Harmony’s focus on people’s well-being also extends to community relationships, as the company sees communities as partners, reflecting a level of connectedness and trust that is not universal in the industry.
Elsewhere, Harmony’s integrated approach to sustainability is embedded in its business model; the company plans its operations with stringent ESG principles informing its decisions.
This is evidenced by its massive tailings retreatment programme in SA and large-scale solar energy project to power its mines and reduce carbon emissions.
“Harmony has built a culture around our values. In everyday terms, this means that all levels of the business understand and live by our values,” expands Dr Govender.
UNITED BY HOPE
Further evidence of the impact and industry-leading capabilities of Harmony is the recent projects it has embarked upon.
At the end of October 2025, the company completed the acquisition of MAC Copper – the owner of the high-grade CSA copper mine in New South Wales, Australia. This completion marks a significant milestone in the company’s strategy to grow into a global gold and copper producer, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable value creation.
“Acquiring the CSA copper mine from MAC Copper, as well as the high-grade Mponeng gold mine in 2020, demonstrates how we pursue value-accretive acquisitions that strengthen our portfolio rather than just chasing volume,” explains Dr Govender.
Equally, the copper asset adds immediate copper production to Harmony’s repertoire and will meaningfully enhance the business and support long-term growth. The CSA mine will ultimately be embedded into the company, aligning its operations with Harmony’s proven planning and performance frameworks.
Additionally, in November 2025, the company announced the completion of the updated Feasibility Study and the approval of the Final Investment Decision (FID) by the Board of Directors for its Eva Copper Project in Queensland, Australia.
The open pit is expected to produce approximately 65,000 tonnes (t) of copper annually during the first five years, with a projected average production profile of 60,000 t of copper and 19,000 ounces (oz) of gold per annum over the expected 15-year life-of-mine.
“Both projects create a compelling platform that brings together the enduring value of gold with the future-facing strength of copper, enhancing cash flow resilience across commodity cycles,” details Dr Govender.
“In addition to our significant gold production, our two Australian copper assets are expected to deliver a combined total of approximately 100,000 t of copper annually once fully commissioned.”
As Harmony embraces 2026, its focus is on consolidating the gains it’s made and pushing forward its growth and sustainability trajectory. To achieve this, there are several key priorities on the company’s agenda. This includes safety and operational delivery, integrating and optimising new assets, advancing the Wafi-Golpu Project, and developing its sustainability and ESG targets.
“By focusing on safety, the integration of new assets, advancement of key projects, ESG excellence, and financial discipline, we aim to set Harmony up for both near-term and long-term success.
This balanced approach will see us grow our production whilst continuing to improve on every dimension of sustainability, thereby creating shared value for all stakeholders,” concludes Dr Govender.
