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The SSC Group’s vision extends beyond ownership and aims to leverage this opportunity to drive meaningful change, creating a ripple effect that benefits our employees, communities, and the broader economy. – SSC Group CEO, Fred Arendse.

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Sizwe sama Yende

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Black-owned Siyakhula Sonke Empowerment Corporation (SSC) has asserted its growth intentions by buying a controlling stake in a company that is contracted for underground mine exploration by major South African mining houses.

The deal between the SSC Group and Lesedi Drilling & Mining Contracting Company was sealed on Thursday last week.

Lesedi Drilling was established in 2002 and has been contracted by mining houses such as  AngloGold Ashanti , Anglo Platinum, Harmony Gold and African Rainbow Minerals for mining exploration drilling projects.

In its website, Lesedi Drilling says that it extracts underground core samples that mine geologists use to determine reef location and ore quality. The mines base their development planning on these samples, which in turn, determines the mine’s economic viability .

The company also offers competitive and professional exploration diamond-drilling services and manufactures and supplies quality exploration drill bits being recognised as the supplier of choice to the mining and exploration industry.

SSC Group chief executive officer, Fred Arendse, said that the deal marked a significant milestone for SSC Group and  showed its commitment to advance black economic empowerment and transformation.

Arendse said that Lesedi Drilling has become 100% black-owned in line with SSC’s dedication to foster inclusive growth and create sustainable opportunities within the mining industry.

“This acquisition highlights the significance of the integration of Lesedi Drilling into the SSC Group, emphasizing our commitment to economic empowerment, and positioning the company positively in the context of our group strategy and vision. We believe that this acquisition will catalyse further progress toward economic equality, aligned with SSC’s strategy of building capacity throughout the mining value chain, fuelled by its ambition of ultimately owning and operating mines,” he said.

Arendse said that SSC Group was excited to write a new chapter with Lesedi Drilling’s committed employees and management. “We are confident that under the SSC Group’s structure and leadership, Lesedi Drilling will continue to thrive and set new benchmarks for success.”

SSC is an ambitious company that offers a diverse range of services in mining such as underground mining, mining rehabilitation, mining and gas exploration, advisory services, human capital and industrial relations, renewable energy, SMME development, ESG reporting and digital agency.

SSC has direct subsidiaries – namely - Sekgwa Mining Services, SN Mining Service, SSC Advisory, uMoya Human Capital, Enable-e-Africa, ESGO and SSC Energy. These subsidiaries are also black-owned.

Arendse has a vision of building a black-owned mining behemoth in the league of Anglo-American.

SSC’s attempts to buy a gold mine in Mpumalanga have been thwarted by prolonged litigation brought by the mine Australian owner, Vantage Goldfields. The future of the sister gold mines in Louisville outside Barberton - Lily and Barbrook – remains in limbo pending court decisions.

Arendse said that Lesedi’s acquisition underscored SSC’s resolve to enhance representation and ownership in sectors where historically marginalised groups have been underrepresented.

“Lesedi Drilling, renowned for its excellence in providing high-quality exploration diamond-drilling services, will continue to operate with the same commitment to safety, innovation, and customer satisfaction that has defined its reputation,” Arendse said.

He said that with this acquisition, SSC was not only investing in the future of the company but also in the future of its employees and communities.

“The SSC Group’s vision extends beyond ownership and aims to leverage this opportunity to drive meaningful change, creating a ripple effect that benefits our employees, communities, and the broader economy,” Arendse said.