Our Stories

At the 2025 SDG Challenge South Africa grand finale, a new generation of leaders showed what can happen when fresh thinking meets real community needs.

The challenge brought together eight companies and multidisciplinary student teams from six universities. Over eight intensive weeks, the students worked with corporate mentors to develop practical responses to pressing social and environmental issues linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Among a strong field of projects, the winning solution came from a partnership between Ivanhoe Mines’ Platreef Mine and students from the University of the Free State’s Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

Their project, Backyard Gardens for Livelihood and Legacy, aims to strengthen existing household gardens near Platreef Mine. It was designed to help households participating in Platreef’s livelihood restoration program grow food for their own consumption while earning additional income from surplus produce.

The students explored several factors affecting the long-term success of the gardens, including soil management, circular-economy practices, irrigation and water conservation. They also proposed IvanHub, an agricultural hub that could help participating households connect with markets and sell surplus produce.

By combining agricultural knowledge with a clear understanding of local needs, the team developed a solution that is practical, scalable and rooted in the community. The project shows how relatively small interventions can support food security, sustainable livelihoods and greater household resilience.

For Ivanhoe Mines, the project reflects a broader commitment to integrating the SDGs into its sustainability strategy. By investing in young people and community-led solutions, Ivanhoe aims to support inclusive development and create lasting value in the communities that host its operations.