Contributed by Mining Equipment Manufacturers of SA (MEMSA) and Mandela Mining Precinct (MMP)
The importance of clustering for collaborative innovation and localisation in the South African mining supply chain.
Innovation for Mining Awards. All images supplied by MEMSA
In 2024, everyday life depends completely on minerals and metals. Mining plays a critical part in driving economic growth in South Africa, providing employment for
477 000 people, contributing R425.6-billion to the country’s GDP, and paying R89.9-billion in South African taxes1. Industrial development relies resolutely on mining products, which must be appropriate for responsible mining for the future, to ensure sustainable and inclusive development opportunities. Understanding and facilitating the intricate linkages between fundamental research, applied research, technology development and localisation within the mining sector is where the Mandela Mining Precinct (MMP) and Mining Equipment Manufacturers of SA (MEMSA) actively collaborate.
R&D and innovation – a risky business
The MMP and MEMSA work together in applied research projects, to develop practical solutions for mining challenges. Through supporting the translation of scientific knowledge into tangible technologies and methodologies, MEMSA members are key to operationalising the MMP research for deployment in mining. Through investing in applied research, the DSI and the Minerals Council support safety, lower environmental footprints, social inclusion, increased productivity, cost savings and enhanced competitiveness in the global mining market.
“The MMP and MEMSA are sister organisations, created within the SAMERDI Strategy. Our collaboration joins applied research to practical equipment development, innovation and the relevance of local solutions to dilemmas in mining. Our approach is multi-dimensional, seeking to match innovative technologies for modernising mining to opportunities for human development and wellbeing, including jobs and safety. Together, MEMSA and the MMP seek to make tangible improvements, to collectively help shape South Africa’s mining future.” Julie Courtnage, executive director, MMP.
The recent MEMSA Mind Shift Conference on Innovation, Digital Technology and Skills in the SA Mining Supply Chain, aptly themed ‘Smart Solutions for People and Planet’, now in its second year, encouraged multidisciplinary and multi-stakeholder collaboration, involving entrepreneurs, inventors, engineers, manufacturers, researchers, investors and government to foster innovative solutions and new opportunities in the mining sector.
Working in isolation is no longer feasible when it comes to innovation. “Innovation is a response to challenges, pain-points”, according to Pogiso Mthimunye, innovation lead, Operations at Exxaro. SA mines face declining ore grades, deeper and more complex ore bodies, environmental concerns, and the need for enhanced safety measures. This is where mines and the mining equipment supply chain need to meet. As Matimba Mahange, JA Engineering CEO and MEMSA board member said, ‘Anyone can identify a problem, not every one can craft a solution’, SA Mining equipment suppliers have a long history of responding to the needs of the mines and are globally respected for their role in the advancement of mining technologies.
R&D and Innovation is a costly and risky business, and it is significant that only 10% of new innovations ever reach commercialisation. Mining equipment manufacturing companies should be collaborating with local technology firms to develop innovative solutions tailored to the specific needs of the South African mining industry. Such partnerships can foster the growth of local technologies, says Freddy Mugeri, Group CEO of Fabchem Mining. His advice is to, “get connected, get networked and find an innovation partner”. CEO of Gravitas Minerals, Tebogo Kale, shared that for him, ‘the challenge, purpose and reward of self funding their award-winning innovation lay in making the mines realise the potential and value of their waste dumps’.
Louw Steyn, Spoor & Fisher – sponsors of the Innovation for Mining Awards; Juliana Makapan MEMSA interim CEO; Tebogo Kale CEO of Gravitas Minerals – winners of the Collaboration for Innovation Award, with Innocent Masinga, MEMSA chair.
Government policy
Government policies play a critical role in promoting both innovation and localisation. ‘There is a need to de-risk the pathway for innovation funding’, supported Davis Cook of RIIS. The South African government could implement policies that incentivise mining companies to invest in local R&D and sourcing. Tax incentives, and subsidies for companies that prioritise local suppliers and develop innovative technologies could stimulate growth in these areas. Additionally, regulatory frameworks that support localisation, environmental sustainability and safety innovations can drive the adoption of new technologies. Equipment manufacturers need to identify ways to leverage funding to facilitate innovation that adds value to the mines.
‘New technology pushes the boundaries for policy and regulations’, says Professor Glen Nwaila, Wits Mining Institute, and regulatory frameworks that support localisation, environmental sustainability and safety innovations can/could drive the adoption of new technologies.
Technology adoption must be holistic
According to Dushendra Naidoo, head of Safety and Sustainable Development, Minerals Council of South Africa, “Technology adoption needs to be holistic; including proper skills and training, and a people-centric approach to safety. This will require diversified micro and macro collaboration between stakeholders, generating solutions”. There is also support for the idea of a localisation campaign where competitors can come together to do the necessary work now, to embrace technology that drives safety, efficiency and competitiveness.
Industry-driven clusters MEMSA and SAMPEC continue to work together with valued research partners and stakeholders towards creating an enabling environment for industry collaboration. Sietse van der Woude, senior executive: Modernisation and Safety at the Minerals Council commented in a discussion on conference Touchstones that, “the commitment and level of collaboration demonstrated in the conference and behind the award-winning innovations was significant”.
Muhammad Kudoos, engineer Buraaq Mining Services – winners of the Innovation in Hard Rock Mining; Masego Mokitimi, Machinery Contractors – winners of Innovation in Surface Mining; SAM Kader, Buraaq Mining CEO, Richard Melvin group marketing manager DaltronX – winners of the award for Innovation in Soft Rock Mining with Matimba Mahange CEO JA Engineering and MEMSA board member.
Mind Shift Conference: Innovation for Mining Awards
By fostering a “Mind Shift” towards new goals, the conference aimed to reimagine the minerals industry, emphasising the importance of local entrepreneurship and innovation in achieving sustainable and technologically advanced mining practices. The Innovation for Mining awards, sponsored by patent and legal firm Spoor & Fisher, were once again included in the one-and-a-half-day conference programme and celebrated impressive technological advancements while highlighting thematic technologies. The awards, with some exciting new categories in line with the conference themes, included: Innovation for an Energy Transition, won by Nkangala Mining for their Intelligent Face-Drill (IFD) patented Alignment System, Innovation towards Zero Harm, won by SKW Project Engineering for their patented Werkman Mud Rush Chute and the Innovation by an SMME, won by Fabchem Mining for their first of a kind SPT100 SMART Pull Tester for roof support. Another note-worthy entrant was the Mine Support Product (MSP) Composite Hydraulic Prop, a disruptive innovation which replaces traditional timber or steel elongate support which can deteriorate and fail with age.
Two new categories highlighted the growing use of data, and importance of collaboration in a complex tech landscape and global industry. Innovative use of Data was won by Digital Twin (Pty) Ltd who designed a Digital Business Case Evaluation and Tracking Tool, including Mine Intelligence Engine and Sensor Analytics Application (DX BC Tool), and Collaboration for Innovation, won by minerals processing provider Gravitas Minerals for crafted coal recovery processes in collaboration with Fraser Alexander.
The final three awards, namely Innovation in Surface Mining, Innovation in Soft Rock Mining and the coveted Innovation in Hard Rock Mining (The Navin Singh Award), were won by Machinery Contractors for the Trackledon – Track Roller Manipulator, DaltronX for their patented hexagonal Drill Steels and Buraaq Mining Services for their Low-Profile Drill Rig which demonstrated significant safety enhancements.
Christina Zondi, MEMSA board member with Freddy Mugeri of Fabchem Mining winners of the Innovation by an SME, and runners up for Digital Solutions for Mining, with Louw Steyn of Spoor and Fisher.
Local Manufacturers Expo – Electra Mining Africa 2024
This year, mining and minerals processing equipment manufacturers clusters MEMSA and SAMPEC will once again collaborate with the Mandela Mining Precinct, this time on a shared pavilion at the Local Manufacturers Expo, situated within Electra Mining Africa. Taking place at Nasrec from 2-6 September, the expo will allow participating member companies Songatech, MEM Works, Manhattan Corporation, Mine Support Products (MSP), Bird Machines, Simera Trace and Reutech Mining the opportunity to demonstrate local technologies and capabilities available to a wide audience of local and international visitors relevant to the mining industry. On display will be MiningTARA (Technology Availability Readiness Atlas), a collaboration between the MMP and MEMSA. The on-line portal showcases mining equipment, software and systems developed and manufactured in South Africa, and serves as a procurement resource for the mining industry in South Africa, and the continent. MiningTARA is further positioned to foster the innovation and the modernisation of mining in South Africa by linking developers, investors and markets.
Understanding the full suite of the technology development process is key to creating the impact needed in mining modernisation research, MEMSA is a vital partner to the MMP in these efforts. In the context of mining, technology development encompasses the design and deployment of advanced equipment, automation systems and data analytics tools to improve safety, streamline operations and maximise resource recovery for sustainable resources. Embracing technology development enables emerging economies to leapfrog traditional mining practices, adopt cutting-edge technologies and enhance their overall productivity and efficiency. By creating a network of collaborators, MEMSA and SAMPEC seek to support members to achieve these aspirational and essential goals. Localisation not only facilitates technology transfer but also fosters the development of national capabilities and expertise. By nurturing local talent and fostering collaboration between academia, industry and government, we can contribute to a robust science and technology system for innovation and entrepreneurship in the mining sector. Moreover, localisation promotes economic diversification, reduces dependency on foreign expertise, and enhances the resilience of the mining industry to external shocks.
The MMP serves as a hub of interplay between fundamental research, applied research, technology development, and localisation, which is critical for driving innovation and sustainable growth in the mining sector of South Africa. By investing in these interconnected pillars, the DSI and the Minerals Council of South Africa seek to collaboratively unlock the full potential of the sector, while fostering inclusive development and environmental stewardship.
References:
Minerals Council South Africa Facts and Figures 2023