BAGUIO CITY: South African Ambassador to the Philippines Bartinah Ntonbizodwa Radede-Ntchitenzhe over the weekend cited similar issues affecting mining in her country and the Philippines that she said warrant implementation of common strategies to sustain the vibrance of the sector that will spur economic growth of both mineral-rich nations.

Ntchitenzhe, the guest of honor and speaker during the 68th Annual Mine Safety and Environment Conference held at the CAP Cultural and Trade Center in Camp John Hay, informed more than 1,000 mining professionals who attended the meeting that mining is one of South Africa's major economic drivers, having contributed double digits to the nation's gross domestic product.