
- South Africa | 22 March 2019

Can you provide an overview of the Mandela Mining Precinct and the organization’s vision moving forward?
The Mandela Mining Precinct is a collaborative partnership between the South African government and industry aimed at fostering growth, transformation, investment, and employment preservation and creation along the entire mining value chain. Our vision is to maximize the returns of South Africa’s mineral wealth through collaborative and sustainable research, development, innovation, and implementation of mining technologies. We strive to do this in a socially, environmentally, and financially responsible manner, with a strong focus on the wellbeing of local communities and the national economy.
Why has South Africa been slow to adopt innovative technologies in the mining space?
South Africa has faced challenges in adapting to innovative technologies in the mining sector, which has contributed to a decrease in productivity of approximately 35% since 2005. Our initial focus within the Precinct was on the gold and platinum industries, as they employ a significant number of people and face the highest risk of job losses. These industries have been operating on tight profit margins due to a combination of declining productivity and fluctuations in metal prices. Approximately 70% of the platinum industry and 60% of the gold industry were financially strained.
Modernizing hard rock mining operations in South Africa requires a careful balance of people, processes, and technology. Introducing technology without considering the human factor is bound to fail. Therefore, mining companies need to prioritize making work easier, safer, healthier, and more efficient. We believe that technology has the potential to achieve these goals while also enhancing communication systems and improving mining processes.
How extensive are the re-education needs when looking at the transition period towards industry 4.0?
The re-education needs during the transition towards industry 4.0 will be extensive. We are actively engaging with organized labor unions and government departments to demystify industry 4.0 and its implications. There is a lack of understanding about the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in conventional mining operations. It is crucial to communicate and educate the workforce about how modernized equipment and machines are designed to enhance safety and productivity, rather than replacing human workers.
Re-education and retraining initiatives will be necessary to equip operators with the skills to operate modernized equipment effectively. The goal is to shift operators’ roles from manual labor to value-added work. By addressing labor concerns and educating the workforce, we can pave the way for the successful implementation of modern processes in mines.
Can you elaborate on Mandela Mining Precinct’s involvement in mining simulation programs?
The Mandela Mining Precinct collaborates with partners involved in simulation work across the mining value chain. Our objective is to enhance understanding of where value is added in the mining process through simulation programs. These programs allow for strategic testing and tactical decision-making in a simulated mine environment. The mining simulation serves as a physical representation of the mining industry, enabling the exploration and development of systems’ capabilities.
Additionally, our partners are working on developing digital twins that can represent complex systems, processes, or mines across various commodities. These digital twins provide a cost-effective and low-risk approach to conceptualizing new technologies and testing their impact within the larger mining system.
We are also in the final design stages of establishing a test mine facility. This facility will enable the demonstration, testing, and showcasing of technologies while providing training opportunities for their implementation and use.
Can you explain Mandela Mining Precinct’s financing structure?
The financing structure of the Mandela Mining Precinct operates through a public-private partnership. The geoscience part of the mining value chain is funded by the Council for Geoscience, a government agency. The processing side receives government funding through Mintek. However, the mining side has historically received limited funding, with most resources directed towards the Mine Health and Safety Council. The Chamber of Mines Research Organization, which used to receive substantial funding for deep-level mining research, experienced a decline in funding over time.
To revitalize mining research and development, the Mandela Mining Precinct relies on a two-to-one funding structure. The Department of Science and Innovation provides two parts of the funding, while the Minerals Council, representing industry, provides one part. Additionally, the Department of Trade and Industry supports MEMSA, a mining equipment manufacturing cluster. The Mandela Mining Precinct aims to be the center of a mining research ecosystem, facilitating research collaboration and innovation.
What is Mandela Mining Precinct’s vision moving forward?
Our vision aligns with the Minerals Council’s modernization strategy, South Africa’s National Development Plan, and the Africa Mining Vision, all working towards the 2030 milestone. Our primary goal is to reestablish sustainable research and development in the South African mining industry. This involves building research and development capacity and capability, particularly in universities, through the establishment of centers aligned with our programs.
One of our key challenges is the current funding gap, as our current investment in mining research falls short of the government’s target. To achieve our vision, funding needs to increase approximately tenfold. We also aim for MEMSA and its members to become significant exporters into Africa by 2030, prioritize beneficiation of South Africa’s commodities and products, focus on community development, and drive the industrialization of simple mining technologies to create sustainable industries beyond mine closures. Ultimately, we strive to engineer a better future for the entire country.