Exploration is the start of any mining value chain and increasing investment in exploration is fundamental to South Africa using its mineral resources to drive development of its industries and economy, mining leaders said during the sixth edition of the South Africa Investment Conference, on March 31. South Africa has mined its mineral resources on an industrial scale for more than a century, but has forgotten how to fund and sustain exploration. It needs to reintroduce exploration into its DNA, said mining industry organisation Minerals Council South Africa CEO Mzila Mthenjane.