KEY POINTS
- Mintek’s October 2 SCI symposium will showcase emerging research aimed at modernising South Africa’s mining sector.
- AI, automation, critical minerals, hydrogen, sustainability and mineral beneficiation will be major areas of focus.
- South Africa must accelerate technology adoption, investment and local mineral processing to remain globally competitive.
South Africa’s efforts to modernise its mining and minerals sector are set to receive a boost as emerging researchers prepare to showcase new ideas and technologies at Mintek’s Science Convention for Innovators (SCI) on October 2.
The symposium will bring together young researchers and industry professionals to examine how research, technology and innovation can help transform the country’s minerals industry.
The SCI symposium, hosted by State-owned mineral and metallurgical research organisation Mintek, will focus on critical minerals, energy, emerging technologies, sustainability and the circular economy.
According to Mintek, research submissions demonstrate the depth and diversity of work currently being undertaken across South Africa’s minerals and metallurgical sectors.
Areas of research include rare earth elements, recovery of precious metals from mine waste, platinum-group metals processing and the development of more environmentally friendly mineral-processing techniques.
The event will also examine ways of extracting greater value from both primary mineral resources and secondary materials such as mining waste.
Technology takes centre stage
Digital technologies are expected to play a major role at the symposium as the mining industry seeks to improve efficiency, safety and productivity.
Research areas include artificial intelligence, machine learning, process modelling, simulation, advanced process control and digital twins.
Other studies include the use of deep offline reinforcement learning to optimise lead flotation circuits and the development of intelligent, self-healing communication networks designed to improve underground mine safety and emergency response.
These technologies could help mining companies make better operational decisions while reducing risks and improving mineral-processing efficiency.
The symposium will also explore the growing relationship between mining and energy innovation.
Research will cover renewable energy applications in mining, fuel-cell technology, energy storage, hydrogen, energy efficiency and cleaner processing methods.
Sustainability and the circular economy will feature prominently, with researchers examining water management, mine rehabilitation, mine closure, asbestos remediation, emissions reduction and decarbonisation.
Some studies are also investigating how mining and industrial waste can be converted into useful resources, including the recovery of antimony from mine tailings and the extraction of calcium and magnesium from concrete waste for mineral carbonation.
The symposium comes amid growing concern that South Africa needs to modernise its mining sector more rapidly to remain competitive internationally.
Research presented during a recent mining modernisation event showed that competing mining jurisdictions are investing heavily in digitalisation, automation, critical minerals and mineral beneficiation.
Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability consultant Ashleigh Muller said South Africa’s competitors are attracting significant investment because of the speed at which they are adopting modern mining technologies.
The country has identified several priorities for strengthening its mining sector, including digital transformation, automation, mineral exploration, research and development, decarbonisation, energy modernisation, responsible innovation and beneficiation.
