SMART TECHNOLOGY

could take place. “Without collaboration, there is not much we are going to achieve.”

Reiterating the importance of working together, Majozi explained that the research centres will be characterised by different types of engineering such as metallurgical engineering and sustainable process engineering. “We now have students who come from geosciences, physics, engineering – [with] all of them working in these centres.” Majozi also expressed his gratitude for the support given to Wits during the establishment of the research centres. “I want to assure you that these centres are in good hands. We see this going well into the future.”

UJ’s research centre will focus on the longevity of current mining operations. Professor Hennie Grobler, head of department: Mining Engineering & Mine Surveying at UJ, proudly mentioned that the establishment of the research centre at UJ coincided with the 100th anniversary of the institution’s mine surveyors. “UJ is quite uniquely positioned for longevity in the sense that the department of mining engineering and mine surveying will be turning a hundred.” Coincidentally, the focus of the UJ Samerdi centre is fixed around the longevity of talent mines. Echoing Majozi’s sentiments on collaboration, Grobler pointed out that his department drew on fields outside of mining. “None of what we do is on our own. We need electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, industrial engineers and medical professionals to do this. The collaboration is really important.”

Advanced ore knowledge will be the focus at UFS. The university’s Professor John Carranza shared his excitement regarding the impending Samerdi research centre: “On behalf of my university, we are thankful and fortunate to the Mandela Mining Precinct for giving us this opportunity to be one of the Samerdi research centres, especially for advanced ore body knowledge.”

UP’s research centre will home in on research activity and mechanised mining systems.

Professor Stephan Heyns of UP explained that the centre would research sustainable mechanised drill and blast solutions and look into the development of mechanical rock-breaking solutions, among others. He also mentioned that various partnerships would take place between the Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering and the Department of Mining Engineering, as well as between UP and the University of Limpopo.

According to Heyns, the research thrusts are rock cutting in hard rock applications, performance optimisation of mechanised mining equipment and utilisation performance in condition monitoring in narrow reef hard rock. “What we are trying to do here is understand the interface between the rock and the machine as mechanical engineers with our mining engineering colleagues. We are really also trying to understand this fundamentally from the rock side and the mechanical side.” In so doing, the research will delve deeper into matters relating to certain shift structures, activity durations, traffic control issues and machine availability issues. “We are trying to understand that environment and trying to optimise that environment as best as possible.

“Lastly, in terms of utilisation performance and condition monitoring of mining machinery, we are currently looking at the use of simulation techniques to understand or to model aspects of performance and the activities in the mining environment, and then from those models, generate data [while] trying to get a sense of what we learn physically from the data generated.” He added that the next step would be to transfer the outcomes into an environment where data-driven measures could be used. “There is a lot of interaction and potential interaction with the other centres. We are confident that we will be able to make a positive contribution to the mining industry in South Africa.”

Other stakeholders

The DSI is among the key stakeholders involved in the Samerdi research centres. “This journey of the last six or seven years has resulted in quite a significant amount of conceptual clarity on where we want to go and what we want to do,” said Beeuwen Gerryts, chief director: Technology Localisation and Advanced Manufacturing at the DSI. Delivering the keynote address during the launch, Gerryts also acknowledged people and entities that made a substantial contribution to the launch of the Samerdi research centres, particularly the CSIR and the Minerals Council South Africa.

“Besides the implementing aspect, the partnership with the Minerals Council – who is also the co-funder and partner in this collaborative research programme – is crucial because often we do research and you really understand that you multiply your impact of the research manyfold if you are guided by industry partners or people who really want to adopt your technology,” Gerryts said. To give context to the centres, Gerryts referred to the DSI’s White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation , which was approved by Cabinet in 2019. “The key of that White Paper is to position the national system of innovation to do several things: to increase the contribution of science, technology and innovation [and] to address our developmental challenges as a country.” He noted that the White Paper aimed to expand the research system that entails increased investment in research as well as participation.

In addition, the White Paper also aimed to develop human capabilities and increase investment in research development and innovation. Gerryts also mentioned that partnerships are among the key elements outlined in the White Paper. “In the paper, we acknowledge at that stage that the mining partnership with the research development is one of the biggest ones.” He also mentioned that mining is highlighted as one of the priority sectors. “[It is] one of the sectors that we believe can have substantive gains if we leverage science, technology and innovation.”

According to Gerryts, the Mandela Mining Precinct follows a strong collaborative approach in implementing strategies for the research centres. “This collaborative approach helps to ensure the participation of key stakeholders, from government, mining companies, local mining equipment manufacturers, science councils, academia and organised labour.”

Gerryts added, “We are committed – as the DSI – to help develop and modernise the mining and mining equipment sector within the national systems of innovation. This is done with the end goal in mind of increasing economic growth, while also reducing unemployment, inequality and poverty.”

Concluding proceedings of the launch was Sietse van der Woude, senior executive: Modernisation and Safety at the Minerals Council South Africa. He said that the Council was a very proud partner within the Mandela Mining Precinct, adding that the Precinct was responsible for implementing the Samerdi strategy to improve South Africa’s mining industry and overall global competitiveness. “What we are celebrating today is the launch of an initiative to deliberately build human capital for better R&D and innovation in South African mining,” he concluded.