A new dawn for South Africa's mining industry was the leading theme as this year's Joburg Indaba kicked off Oct. 3.

The opening keynote speeches marked a long-awaited milestone; for the first time in about nine years, the Minerals Council, representing the country's mining companies, and the Department of Mineral Resources' minister stood united to share their vision for the industry's future.

"What a difference a year makes," Minerals Council CEO Roger Baxter said in reference to Minister Gwede Mantashe, who took over from Mosebenzi Zwane earlier this year.

Just a year ago, the Minerals Council had snubbed events and speeches delivered by Zwane amid a huge fallout over his reviewed Mining Charter that some feared would destroy South Africa's mining industry.

This year, the tone between both parties was almost amicable.

"If we could just have your enthusiasm and passion in the rest of the Cabinet, this economy would fly," Baxter told Mantashe, the first mining minister in South Africa's democratic era who had worked in a mine. "We already appreciate the minister for the ethical leadership and passion he brings to the table."

The fact that the Minerals Council earlier that day approved of the so-called third Mining Charter, created under Mantashe and gazetted Sept. 27, sent an encouraging signal not only that both sides have rebuilt their relationship but that they are sharing the same vision for the mining industry.

A poll among the 400 delegates widely aligned with Baxter's praise for the minister, with 63% indicating they now feel positive over the future of the nation's mining industry and 70% signaling a thumbs-up for the new Mining Charter.

More than half of those polled also said they thought an end to the Zwane era was Mantashe's most important achievement to date.

Miners' approval rates of the new minister have continued to surge in recent months as Mantashe builds a reputation of passion, leadership and focus on solutions for the mining industry. He is said to be a tough negotiator, and both Mantashe and Baxter recalled heated late-night discussions. However, Mantashe has been applauded for his engagement, frankness and focus on national interests alongside his aim to clamp down on corruption.

"I love this industry, but I also hate it for its sins," Mantashe said Oct. 3 as he appealed for transformation and modernization to unlock its potential for growth, job creation and investment. "A modern mining industry is the better mining industry."