Saimm 201509 sep

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VOLUME 115

NO. 9

SEPTEMBER 2015


Introduction to our new President...

RODNEY TREVOR JONES

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odney Jones was born in 1959 in Germiston, where he grew up and attended Germiston High School – interestingly, one of the very few schools in South Africa to have a Nobel Prize winner among its past pupils. Rodney holds a BSc(Eng) degree in chemical engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg, a BA degree in logic and philosophy from the University of South Africa, and has completed MSc (Eng) and PhD degrees in metallurgical engineering from Wits University. Rodney has worked in the Pyrometallurgy Division at Mintek – an internationally recognized minerals research organization, based in Randburg – since 1985, and is currently a Senior Technical Specialist there. He has been a registered Professional Engineer since 1988. His main research interests are in the field of computer simulation and design of high-temperature processes, and the development of thermodynamic software. He is the author of Pyrosim software for the steady-state simulation of pyrometallurgical processes, which has been used in 22 countries around the world. Rodney has also been part of the team that developed processes which, has led to the large-scale industrial application of direct-current arc furnace technology to the smelting of chromite in South Africa and Kazakhstan, ilmenite smelting in South Africa, cobalt recovery from slags in Zambia, battery recycling in Switzerland, and ferronickel production in New Caledonia. He is one of the inventors of the internationally patented ConRoast process – an environmentally friendly way of recovering platinum group metals from ores that are otherwise very difficult to process. Rodney has been the recipient of a number of APEX (Acknowledgement of Performance Excellence) and Achievement awards from Mintek, a Mintek Technology Transfer Award (Gold category), as well as an SAIMM Silver Medal. He was a Visiting Professor at the Center for Pyrometallurgy, University of Missouri-Rolla, during July and August 1996, and in 2002 and 2003 also lectured in pyrometallurgy at Murdoch University, Perth, as an Adjunct Associate Professor. The National Research Foundation rated him in 2009 and 2015 as an ‘Internationally Acclaimed Researcher’. Rodney is a member of the Board of Trustees for OneMine.org, and serves as the Chairman of the International Committee on Ferro-Alloys (ICFA). He is also a Fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) and the South African Institute of Chemical Engineers (SAIChE), and a Member of the Royal Society of South Africa. He serves the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) as a member of the Professional Advisory Committee for Metallurgical Engineering. Rodney has been a member of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) since 1988, a Fellow since 1997, and a Council member since 2005. He has chaired the Metallurgy Technical Programme Committee since 2007, and also serves on the Publications and IT Committees. He is a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of the SAIMM. Rodney was awarded an Honorary Life Fellowship of the SAIMM in 2010. He has represented Mintek at many local and international conferences, sometimes as an invited keynote or plenary speaker, and has delivered invited lectures and seminars at universities in South Africa, the USA, and Australia. Rodney convened, and edited the proceedings of, the Southern African Pyrometallurgy 2006 and 2011 international conferences. He also convened a conference on ‘A constructive response to the power crisis’ in 2008. He has been a member of the organizing or scientific committees for the SAIMM ‘Platinum’ and ‘Base Metals’ series of international conferences, the International Ferro-Alloys Congress (Infacon), and the European Metallurgical Conference series, as well as the TMS conferences on Nickel-Cobalt and the ‘Celebrating the Megascale’ pyrometallurgical conference in the USA. Rodney is also well known for his efforts in making information openly accessible via the Internet, and has championed the digitization of a number of old journals and conference proceedings. Rodney is an enthusiastic person who respects people as individuals, and places a high value on personal relationships. He aspires to follow the teachings of Christ, and to be an unpretentious, caring person of integrity and loyalty, who cares about justice and freedom. Rodney is married to Debbie, and they have two children – David (married to Vutomi) and Sarah. Rodney's wide-ranging interests include photography, trail running (he has run the Harrismith Mountain Race seven times), hiking, travel, reading, computers, mathematical puzzles, philosophy, history, and playing the guitar. Rodney is a member of the Photographic Society of Southern Africa, the Internet Society (a founding member of the ZA chapter in 1997), the Philosophical Society of Southern Africa, the Genealogical Society of South Africa, the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation, Mensa, and the Cloud Appreciation Vutomi, David, Sarah, Debbie, and Rodney Society.


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The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy OFFICE BEARERS AND COUNCIL FOR THE 2015/2016 SESSION Honorary President Mike Teke President, Chamber of Mines of South Africa Honorary Vice-Presidents Mosebenzi Zwane Minister of Mineral Resources, South Africa Rob Davies Minister of Trade and Industry, South Africa Naledi Pandor Minister of Science and Technology, South Africa President R.T. Jones President Elect C. Musingwini Vice-Presidents S. Ndlovu A.S. Macfarlane Immediate Past President J.L. Porter Honorary Treasurer C. Musingwini Ordinary Members on Council Z. Botha V.G. Duke I.J. Geldenhuys M.F. Handley W.C. Joughin M. Motuku D.D. Munro

G. Njowa A.G. Smith M.H. Solomon J.D. Steenkamp M.R. Tlala D. Tudor D.J. van Niekerk

Past Presidents Serving on Council N.A. Barcza R.D. Beck J.R. Dixon M. Dworzanowski F.M.G. Egerton H.E. James

G.V.R. Landman J.C. Ngoma S.J. Ramokgopa M.H. Rogers G.L. Smith W.H. van Niekerk

Branch Chairmen Botswana

L.E. Dimbungu

DRC

S. Maleba

Johannesburg

I. Ashmole

Namibia

N.M. Namate

Northern Cape

C.A. van Wyk

Pretoria

P. Bredell

Western Cape

A. Mainza

Zambia

D. Muma

Zimbabwe

S. Ndiyamba

Zululand

C.W. Mienie

Corresponding Members of Council Australia: I.J. Corrans, R.J. Dippenaar, A. Croll, C. Workman-Davies Austria: H. Wagner Botswana: S.D. Williams United Kingdom: J.J.L. Cilliers, N.A. Barcza USA: J-M.M. Rendu, P.C. Pistorius

PAST PRESIDENTS *Deceased * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

W. Bettel (1894–1895) A.F. Crosse (1895–1896) W.R. Feldtmann (1896–1897) C. Butters (1897–1898) J. Loevy (1898–1899) J.R. Williams (1899–1903) S.H. Pearce (1903–1904) W.A. Caldecott (1904–1905) W. Cullen (1905–1906) E.H. Johnson (1906–1907) J. Yates (1907–1908) R.G. Bevington (1908–1909) A. McA. Johnston (1909–1910) J. Moir (1910–1911) C.B. Saner (1911–1912) W.R. Dowling (1912–1913) A. Richardson (1913–1914) G.H. Stanley (1914–1915) J.E. Thomas (1915–1916) J.A. Wilkinson (1916–1917) G. Hildick-Smith (1917–1918) H.S. Meyer (1918–1919) J. Gray (1919–1920) J. Chilton (1920–1921) F. Wartenweiler (1921–1922) G.A. Watermeyer (1922–1923) F.W. Watson (1923–1924) C.J. Gray (1924–1925) H.A. White (1925–1926) H.R. Adam (1926–1927) Sir Robert Kotze (1927–1928) J.A. Woodburn (1928–1929) H. Pirow (1929–1930) J. Henderson (1930–1931) A. King (1931–1932) V. Nimmo-Dewar (1932–1933) P.N. Lategan (1933–1934) E.C. Ranson (1934–1935) R.A. Flugge-De-Smidt (1935– 1936) T.K. Prentice (1936–1937) R.S.G. Stokes (1937–1938) P.E. Hall (1938–1939) E.H.A. Joseph (1939–1940) J.H. Dobson (1940–1941) Theo Meyer (1941–1942) John V. Muller (1942–1943) C. Biccard Jeppe (1943–1944) P.J. Louis Bok (1944–1945) J.T. McIntyre (1945–1946) M. Falcon (1946–1947) A. Clemens (1947–1948) F.G. Hill (1948–1949) O.A.E. Jackson (1949–1950) W.E. Gooday (1950–1951) C.J. Irving (1951–1952) D.D. Stitt (1952–1953) M.C.G. Meyer (1953–1954) L.A. Bushell (1954–1955) H. Britten (1955–1956) Wm. Bleloch (1956–1957)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

*

*

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H. Simon (1957–1958) M. Barcza (1958–1959) R.J. Adamson (1959–1960) W.S. Findlay (1960–1961) D.G. Maxwell (1961–1962) J. de V. Lambrechts (1962–1963) J.F. Reid (1963–1964) D.M. Jamieson (1964–1965) H.E. Cross (1965–1966) D. Gordon Jones (1966–1967) P. Lambooy (1967–1968) R.C.J. Goode (1968–1969) J.K.E. Douglas (1969–1970) V.C. Robinson (1970–1971) D.D. Howat (1971–1972) J.P. Hugo (1972–1973) P.W.J. van Rensburg (1973– 1974) R.P. Plewman (1974–1975) R.E. Robinson (1975–1976) M.D.G. Salamon (1976–1977) P.A. Von Wielligh (1977–1978) M.G. Atmore (1978–1979) D.A. Viljoen (1979–1980) P.R. Jochens (1980–1981) G.Y. Nisbet (1981–1982) A.N. Brown (1982–1983) R.P. King (1983–1984) J.D. Austin (1984–1985) H.E. James (1985–1986) H. Wagner (1986–1987) B.C. Alberts (1987–1988) C.E. Fivaz (1988–1989) O.K.H. Steffen (1989–1990) H.G. Mosenthal (1990–1991) R.D. Beck (1991–1992) J.P. Hoffman (1992–1993) H. Scott-Russell (1993–1994) J.A. Cruise (1994–1995) D.A.J. Ross-Watt (1995–1996) N.A. Barcza (1996–1997) R.P. Mohring (1997–1998) J.R. Dixon (1998–1999) M.H. Rogers (1999–2000) L.A. Cramer (2000–2001) A.A.B. Douglas (2001–2002) S.J. Ramokgopa (2002-2003) T.R. Stacey (2003–2004) F.M.G. Egerton (2004–2005) W.H. van Niekerk (2005–2006) R.P.H. Willis (2006–2007) R.G.B. Pickering (2007–2008) A.M. Garbers-Craig (2008–2009) J.C. Ngoma (2009–2010) G.V.R. Landman (2010–2011) J.N. van der Merwe (2011–2012) G.L. Smith (2012–2013) M. Dworzanowski (2013–2014) J.L. Porter (2014–2015)

Honorary Legal Advisers Van Hulsteyns Attorneys Auditors Messrs R.H. Kitching Secretaries The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Fifth Floor, Chamber of Mines Building 5 Hollard Street, Johannesburg 2001 • P.O. Box 61127, Marshalltown 2107 Telephone (011) 834-1273/7 • Fax (011) 838-5923 or (011) 833-8156 E-mail: journal@saimm.co.za

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Editorial Board R.D. Beck J. Beukes P. den Hoed M. Dworzanowski B. Genc M.F. Handley R.T. Jones W.C. Joughin J.A. Luckmann C. Musingwini J.H. Potgieter R.E. Robinson T.R. Stacey

Editorial Consultant D. Tudor

VOLUME 115

NO. 9

SEPTEMBER 2015

Contents

Typeset and Published by The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy P.O. Box 61127 Marshalltown 2107 Telephone (011) 834-1273/7 Fax (011) 838-5923 E-mail: journal@saimm.co.za

Printed by Camera Press, Johannesburg

ARTICLES SANCOT News: Obituaries—David Lawrence 1948–2015 and James McKelvey 1954–2015 by H.J. Tluczek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

iv–v

The Education Working Group of the SAIMM-YPC by T. Mmola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

vi

Profiles of the Branch Chairmen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

viii-xii

Advertising Representative Barbara Spence Avenue Advertising Telephone (011) 463-7940 E-mail: barbara@avenue.co.za The Secretariat The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS Presidential Address: Truth and error in scientific publishing by R.T. Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

799

Proceedings, 118th Annual General Meeting, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

819

Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

829

Annual Financial Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

865

Annual Financial Statement for the SAIMM Scholarship Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

881

Annual Financial Statement for the SAIMM Western Cape Branch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

887

ISSN 2225-6253 (print) ISSN 2411-9717 (online)

CopyrightŠ 1978 by The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. All rights reserved. Multiple copying of the contents of this publication or parts thereof without permission is in breach of copyright, but permission is hereby given for the copying of titles and abstracts of papers and names of authors. Permission to copy illustrations and short extracts from the text of individual contributions is usually given upon written application to the Institute, provided that the source (and where appropriate, the copyright) is acknowledged. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of review or criticism under The Copyright Act no. 98, 1978, Section 12, of the Republic of South Africa, a single copy of an article may be supplied by a library for the purposes of research or private study. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior permission of the publishers. Multiple copying of the contents of the publication without permission is always illegal. U.S. Copyright Law applicable to users In the U.S.A. The appearance of the statement of copyright at the bottom of the first page of an article appearing in this journal indicates that the copyright holder consents to the making of copies of the article for personal or internal use. This consent is given on condition that the copier pays the stated fee for each copy of a paper beyond that permitted by Section 107 or 108 of the U.S. Copyright Law. The fee is to be paid through the Copyright Clearance Center, Inc., Operations Center, P.O. Box 765, Schenectady, New York 12301, U.S.A. This consent does not extend to other kinds of copying, such as copying for general distribution, for advertising or promotional purposes, for creating new collective works, or for resale.

International Advisory Board R. Dimitrakopoulos, McGill University, Canada D. Dreisinger, University of British Columbia, Canada E. Esterhuizen, NIOSH Research Organization, USA H. Mitri, McGill University, Canada M.J. Nicol, Murdoch University, Australia E. Topal, Curtin University, Australia

VOLUME 115

NO. 9

SEPTEMBER 20 15

Proceedings of the Annual General Meeting Annual Report and Accounts Presidential Address: Truth and Error in Scientific Publishing by R.T. Jones

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THE INSTITUTE, AS A BODY, IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE STATEMENTS AND OPINIONS ADVANCED IN ANY OF ITS PUBLICATIONS.



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Obituaries

here are few who live life to the full in their work as well as their private lives. One such person was David Lawrence. David managed to fulfill a career in engineering that contributed to the civil development of major mining projects in his home country, South Africa, as well as several landmark infrastructure projects, including the Drakensburg Pumped Storage Scheme, where his connection with the international tunnelling fraternity began. David died peacefully on 7 July 2015 at his adopted home on the Isle of Man in the UK, where he moved with his family in the 1990s. Throughout his career, David was engaged on many important infrastructure engineering assignments. In South Africa, and as a director of the underground construction engineering company Basil Read, he worked on many mine development projects as well as underground civil infrastructure projects. Dave Lawrence at the BTS Dinner in May 2015 In the UK, David was engaged in the early stages of the geological investigation shaft for the planned nuclear waste repository facility in Cumbria, before the government of the day cancelled the project. Following that, he joined the Kellogg Brown & Root team that managed the Dublin Port highway tunnel in Ireland –a project that was technically demanding and politically challenging. The project was completed, and Dublin is a changed city today due to the port’s heavy freight traffic being able to bypass the city centre to the national highway connections. With close-out of the Dublin Port tunnel project, David retired to the Isle of Man, but he continued to be associated with the tunnelling industry as an independent consultant and worked with the LBA (London Bridge Association) consulting construction firm in the UK as a contracts advisor. In South Africa, through his association with the construction phase of the Drakensburg Pumped Storage Scheme, David worked with expatriate engineers from many parts of the word, including Terry Mellors, Martin Knights, and John Sharp of the UK. David had a truly international and interesting engineering career. He counted among his most interesting projects the legendary Med-Dead Sea tunnel that was proposed to convey water by gravity across Israel from the the Mediterranean Sea to the lower lever of the Dead Sea to replenish the depleting water resource of the Dead Sea while generating hydro power. Ironically regional civil unrest and threatened factional violence that killed off the project in the 1980s when David was already in the Middle East and working on the actual start of construction. A revival of the project could well contribute towards reconciliation and reasonable negotiation of peace in this fractious and unstable part of the world. David was an engineer and professional in the international tunnelling business who was determined to present opportunities to others to be part of the real and exciting possibilities of the underground space and tunnelling industry. He was instrumental in advancing and developing the careers of many in the business. His adventurous and committed, yet fun-loving approach to a professional career was a significant element of his success and the esteem that so many hold for him. He will be missed.

H.J. Tluczek

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Obituaries (continued)

ames McKelvey, a respected and internationally-recognized tunnel design, construction, and risk management expert, passed away suddenly on 20 July 2015, at the age of 60. Born in South Africa on 15 September 1954, Jim earned his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Natal in 1976, and that same year, joined Murray & Roberts Roads and Earthworks and began work on what would become numerous South African tunnelling projects. Jim joined Keeve Steyn Incorporated in 1980, and during his more than 20-year career with the company, he became recognized as one of the foremost tunnelling engineers in South Africa. He led the company’s tunnelling team on many major projects, such as the Inanda-Wiggins Tunnels and the Midmar Potable Water Tunnel. James McKelvey - 1954-2015 In 1998, he took up the position of Chief Resident Engineer on the Matsoku Weir and Diversion Tunnel, followed by the same role on the 32-kilometer Mohale Tunnel. Both projects are part of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, one of the largest water transfer programmes ever developed in Africa and recognized by the South African Institution of Civil Engineering as the Project of the Century. Jim moved to the United States in the early 2000s and joined Black & Veatch in 2002 as a senior member of the company’s geo-engineering group. In 2003, he moved to Charleston, South Carolina, to lend his talents to a multiphased wastewater tunnel replacement programme. An Associate Vice President at Black & Veatch, he later began the company’s Tunnelling Center of Excellence in Indianapolis before taking on the role of Tunnel Chief Engineer in 2013. During his 13-year career at Black & Veatch, Jim was engaged on many of the company’s large-diameter tunnel and pipeline projects throughout North America. Jim has left a lasting legacy by mentoring many professionals along the way, and he has also left an indelible mark on the industry as a tunnelling authority known for his practical, insightful solutions to complex design and construction challenges. He served on both the Executive Council and the Organizing Committee of the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA), and he represented Black & Veatch as a sustaining member of the Underground Construction Association (UCA) of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME). Within the UCA , he served as a member of the George A. Fox Organizing Committee. He was also a member of the Organizing Committee for the ITA-AITES World Tunnelling Conference 2016, to be held in San Francisco. He also formerly served as a member of the ITA working group on shotcrete, a tutor in the ITA working group on contractual practice, Chair of the South African National Committee on Tunnelling (SANCOT) and of SANCOT’s working group on shotcrete. He chaired the organizing committee for the memorable ITA-AITES World Tunneling Conference 2000, which was held in Durban, South Africa. He authored numerous papers and chapters of books, including a logistics chapter in Megaprojects: Challenges and Recommended Practices. Jim is survived by Jacqui, his wife of 12 years; children (and their spouses) Bianca and Greg, Monique and Kevin, Katherine and Mitch, Stuart and Andrea, and Ross; grandchildren Cameron and Jude; and a sister, Dianne.

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H.J. Tluczek


The Education Working Group of the SAIMM—Young Professionals CoXQFLO

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n the June edition of the Journal, three areas that the YPC will focus on, namely education, career guidance, and enterprise were presented. A working group for each focus area has been constituted by the YPC. This article briefly introduces the Education Working Group (EWG).

Importance The YPC’s mandate is to represent members of the SAIMM in the ‘Student’ category. With this category constituting nearly 25% of the SAIMM membership and effectively representing the future of the Institute, identifying and serving the needs of the student membership is an important function of the YPC. In this regard, the YPC has identified current challenges and opportunities faced by students in the minerals industry that need attention. Challenges Students in the minerals-related fields of study face a number of challenges that have arisen due to the recent contraction in demand for commodities. Whereas in the last decade students were well sponsored by mining companies, this funding for education has dwindled significantly. It had been anticipated that universities would have to collectively produce upwards of 300 graduates annually to meet the demands of the minerals industry. While the universities are now able to produce this number of graduates, the industry is unable to absorb them all. The unfortunate result is that a growing number of students find themselves unemployed after graduation. The throughput of students in mining and metallurgy remains a challenge for the universities and greater academic support for students is desirable. Opportunities Despite the challenges in education, there are still significant opportunities. Current graduates receive some of the best education in the world, which not only equips them with excellent technical knowledge but also instils an understanding of contemporary issues such as sustainability, ethics, social consciousness, health, safety, and the environment. This education takes place in an innovative and high-technology surround at universities equipped with cutting-edge technology such as three-dimensional virtual reality training. This quality education provides the opportunity for industry to absorb high-calibre graduates that can bring a fresh wave of energy, innovation, and responsible leadership to move the minerals industry into the forefront of sustainable wealth creation on the African continent. Mission statement It is therefore apparent to the YPC that specific focus on education is a strategic imperative. The purpose of the EWG is to represent the interests of primarily undergraduates in basic and higher education on matters of career guidance, academic development, and life skills. In order to fulfil its purpose, the EWG will aim to influence policy on education in mining and metallurgy; support efforts to secure funding for education, chiefly through the SAIMM Scholarship Trust Fund; provide guidance on career choices in the minerals industry; provide academic support to learners and students; facilitate mentorship and life skills initiatives to guide students through their academic life; and also to encourage lifelong learning and postgraduate education. Call to action The EWG currently consists of members of the YPC, student representatives from the universities, and other SAIMM members. The EWG is part of the organizing committee of the Young Professionals Conference to be held from 21 to 22 October 2015. This conference brings together the annual student colloquium, showcasing the top students from the universities, and the Young Professionals Conference, which provides an opportunity for the young professionals of the minerals industry to present their work to their peers. For more information on the EWG and to join this working group, contact Desmond Klenam (lordemy@hotmail.com) or Sihe Nhleko (sihesenkosi.nhleko@wits.ac.za).

T. Mmola Chairman: Young Professionals’ Council (SAIMM)

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SAIMM Branch Chairmen Democratic Republic of Congo Branch Susa Maleba

Susa Maleba graduated from the University of Lubumbashi, DRC, with a BSc Eng. (Mining) and completed a BSc (Hons) in Mining Engineering, specializing in Mining Environment, at Pretoria University. Susa has been involved in the field of mining engineering, specializing in mining design, mining ventilation, and mine planning, for the past 16 years. His expertise includes: • • • • • • •

Underground mine design, layout, and scheduling Mine ventilation and refrigeration, environmental control, and occupational hygiene Open pit design, optimization, and production scheduling Feasibility studies on open pit and underground operations Environmental and social research, impact assessment, stakeholder engagement Recruitment, training. and coordination of mining-related personnel Consulting and contracting.

He is currently Country Manager/Mining Engineer for SRK Consulting in the DRC

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Johannesburg Branch Ian Ashmole

Ian has been a member of the SAIMM Johannesburg Branch committee since 2009. He was elected Vice Chairman in 2011, and has been Chairman since 2012. He also represents the SAIMM as an observer on the Council of the Geological Society of South Africa. Ian started in the mining industry as a learner official with Rand Mines in 1985, and graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand with a bachelor’s degree in mining engineering in 1989. He worked at Durban Roodepoort Deep, Douglas Colliery, and Harmony Gold Mine before leaving Rand Mines in 1993 to take up the position of mine manager of a small gold mine on the East Rand. Ian became involved in the dimension stone mining industry in 1994, when he joined Kudu Granite as group mining engineer, with a mandate to transform the company’s traditional quarry operations into modern professionally-run mines through the application of geological knowledge, formal mine planning, new technology and methods, and professional management techniques. By 1996, the company’s operations were recognized in the industry as being on a par with the best-run operations in Europe, and the standards developed at Kudu were a major factor in the acquisition of Kudu by the Marlin Group in 1997. The health and safety and environmental performance of the Rustenburg Division of Marlin, where Ian was General Manager from 2001 to 2005, was recognized by both the DME and environmental pressure groups as being among the best in the South African mining industry. In 2005, Ian became Technical Director of the Marlin Group, with responsibility for the operation of all quarries in southern Africa and exploration in Africa, as well as consulting work for the group's operations in Brazil. In 2008, Ian left the Marlin Group to establish an independent consultancy. While his initial focus was mainly, but not exclusively, in the dimension stone sector, he subsequently consulted in the gold, uranium, platinum, chrome, and industrial minerals sectors. Ian is a generalist,, and while his technical expertise is valued in feasibility and due diligence work, he also provides project and operational management assistance, and is widely experienced in the fields of health and safety, environmental management, and mineral rights. Ian has travelled extensively in Africa, South America, Europe, and the USA during the course of his career. He is a keen runner, having completed five Comrades Marathons, trail runner and trail run course designer, and mountain biker. N

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SAIMM Branch Chairmen

Namibian Branch Nikowa Mabvuto Namate

Nikowa is the Deputy Head of Department and Lecturer, Mining and Process Engineering, Polytechnic of Namibia The key attributes include: • • • • • •

Mining Engineering Degree from University of Zimbabwe Over ten years of industrial and academic experience Strong team building capability and leadership skills Strong research interest in industrial engineering processes and ergonomics Certified energy auditor Small scale mining consultant

Nikowa has a good understanding of the mining industry in Namibia.

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Northern Cape Branch Cedrick van Wyk

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Cedrick Van Wyk was born and grew up in Luderitz, Namibia. He completed schooling at the Concordia College in Windhoek, Namibia. Cedrick joined JCI in 1989 as a learner official and completed the Higher National Diploma in Extractive Metallurgy from the University of Johannesburg (Wits Technikon) in 1993. He completed the Anglo American MDP with the University of Stellenbosch Business School in 2005. Cedrick was employed with Rustenburg Base Metals Refiners (Anglo Platinum) for seven and a half years. Four of those years were spent at the Base Metals Refiners (BMR) and a further three years’ production experience was obtained in the Magnetic Concentration Plant (MC Plant). Cedrick also obtained two and a half years’ experience in gold metallurgy at the Randfontein Estates Gold Mine, while studying towards his diploma. Cedrick started working at Kumba Iron Ore Ltd in 2007 as a senior process engineer. He was promoted to Manager: Quality Assurance and Stewardship in 2008, followed by appointment to the post of Process Development Manager, DMS Plant. He is currently Principal Metallurgist in the Technical Services Department at Kumba’s Sishen Mine, a post he has held since October 2012. Cedrick is a member of the South African Coal Processing Society and the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. He is married to Mildred and the couple have three children: Griffith, Tracy-Leigh, and Robin. They currently live in Kathu in the Northern Cape. N


SAIMM Branch Chairmen

Pretoria Branch Pierre Bredell

Pierre has been an active Mining Engineer since 1995. His early years were with Randfontein Estates Gold Mines and Centrocen Projects. In 2000, Pierre co-founded and developed LQS International, a geological and mining engineering consultancy with offices in Johannesburg, Perth, Vancouver, Santiago, and London. From 2005 to 2009, Pierre was responsible for developing the company’s international business from a base in London, UK. His primary responsibilities during this period were corporate development, client relations, and project management. He has considerable experience in managing and coordinating people and working in the technical environments of open pit and underground mining. LQS International was bought by DRA International at the end of 2009. In 2012, Pierre joined the University of Pretoria, South Africa, as a senior lecturer in the Mining Engineering Department. Here he shares his expertise in mineral economics and risk management. The university encourages lecturers to engage in outside consulting, and to that end, Pierre has been involved in projects with South Africa’s Mine Health and Safety Council, Kalagadi Manganese, Debswana Sasol Mining, and Mine Support Products. N

Western Cape Branch Aubrey Mainza

Aubrey Mainza has a wide range of experience in the areas of comminution and classification. Apart from one year’s experience at Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines, Aubrey has spent more than 17 years at the University of Cape Town working in the Comminution Research Group in the Centre for Minerals Research. As a researcher in field of comminution and classification, Aubrey has participated in design and optimization projects for many mines, including most of the major platinum and gold mines in Africa and overseas. In addition to teaching Chemical Engineering core courses, he has taught Metallurgy and Mineral Processing undergraduate courses and supervised numerous MSc and PhD students in the fields of comminution and classification. He is currently Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Cape Town and Head of Comminution Research and the Deputy Director for the Centre for Minerals Research. N

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SAIMM Branch Chairmen

Zambian Branch Darius Muma

Darius was born and grew up in the Luanshya district of Zambia’s Copperbelt Province. He graduated from the University of Zambia (UNZA) in Lusaka in 2004 with a BSc in chemistry, and worked as an Environmental Project Assistant with the Advocacy for Environmental Restoration Zambia (AREZ) group at UNZA School of Mines. In 2005 he took up a position as Graduate Chemist at Nchanga Mine in Chingola, owned by Konkola Copper Mines plc, where he progressed through the ranks to become Acting Head of the Analytical Services Department. During this time he also gained a Diploma in Business Management from the Association of Business Executives, UK. He is currently Assistant Superintendent: Technical in the Analytical Services Department at the Mufulira mine site of Mopani Copper Mines plc. Apart from the SAIMM, Darius is a Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), the Chemical Society of Zambia (he is current secretary for the Northern Region), and the Engineering Institution of Zambia. N

Zimbabwean Branch Stephen Ndiyamba

Stephen is a professional Metallurgical Engineer with over 24 years experience in the mining and mineral processing industries. He has extensive experience in managing processing and production functions and carrying out productivity improvements projects. Education and Qualifications • Pr. Eng • Management Development Program, University of Cape Town Graduate School Business. • MBA. Nottingham Trent University Business School. • B.Sc. Eng (Hons) Metallurgical. University Of Zimbabwe Other Institutions • Member: Southern Africa Institution of Mining and Metallurgy • Member: Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers (ZIE) • Board Member: Zimbabwe School of Mines Board of Management • Board Member: Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers (ZIE) • Chairman: Masvingo Chapter (Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers) • Chairman: Mzilikazi High School Old Students Association

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Employment Summary • Transalloys (Highveld Vanadium and Steel Corporation) • ZIMASCO • Ngezi Mining Company • Bindura Nickel Corporation • Geomet (Anglo American Research Laboratories) • Wankie Colliery Company • Current: Senior Manager Plant at Mimosa Mining Company Stephen is 49 years of age and is married with three daughters. He enjoys playing golf, social work and reading. N


SAIMM Branch Chairmen

Zululand Branch Christo Mienie

Christo was born on 18 November 1963 in Vereeniging and matriculated in 1981. He obtained his Dip Tech (T5) in Metallurgical Engineering from the Vaal Triangle Technikon. He worked at Iscor Vanderbijlpark in Blast Furnaces Production for a year, then moved to Iscor Research and Development in Pretoria, where he worked in the Process Metallurgy Department for four years. His area of focus was iron manufacturing, with particular interest in the evaluation and characterization of iron ore, coal, and coke for the blast furnace, direct reduction, and the newly developed Corex-process. During 1992, Christo accepted a position with Richards Bay Minerals (RBM), the heavy minerals sands operation then jointly owned by Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton. He started in the Development Metallurgy Section, where his responsibilities included flow sheet development, process optimization, and evaluating new technologies. He gained valuable metallurgical and production experience over the next 14 years at various RBM plants including the roaster, char plant, iron processing, slag processing, and the smelter. His metallurgical responsibilities included increasing prime grade slag and pig iron production, furnace rebuilds, working in conjunction with the marketing department to establish new markets and customers, and the introduction of best practises in the process metallurgical field. His human resources responsibilities included the management, training, and development of metallurgists. He completed his MDP through the University of Durban Westville during 1997. Christo obtained valuable experience with regard to business restructuring (‘right-sizing’) while in the position of team leader responsible for the SHEQ and technical departments. He joined Spectrum Technical (Pty) Ltd in 2006 as a director and shareholder; his current position. Services to clients includes plant feasibility studies, flow sheet design, process equipment selection and supply, pilot-scale test work, plant commissioning, troubleshooting, and cost analyses in the metals and minerals industry. Christo is married to Marietjie, and has two boys – Francois and Christo Jnr. He is also a keen jogger. N

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http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2411-9717/2015/v115n9a1

Presidential Address: Truth and error in scientific publishing by R.T. Jones*

Introduction

Scientific progress relies on the publication of ideas and experimental results that can be replicated, tested, and improved over time. The first printed book on metallurgy to have been published in Europe is considered to be De la Pirotechnia, written in Italian by Vannoccio Biringuccio, and published in Venice in 1540. Together with De Re Metallica, written by Georgius Agricola and published in Latin in 1556, this can be considered to mark the start of scientific and technical literature in this field. Scientific publishing of journal papers has been in existence for 350 years, since the world's oldest and longest-running scientific journal, the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, was first published in London in 1665. The nature of scientific societies has changed significantly since the early days when regular meetings were held to discuss science and conduct experiments, and the reading of scientific papers took place, and publication of papers was undertaken to record the proceedings of meetings, often including rather robust debate. In today’s world, there is a plethora of publications, and it is close to impossible for anyone to keep up with the vast flow of information. International conferences with hundreds of presentations have taken the place of the local meetings that used to discuss a single paper or experiment. In this frenetic environment, it is essential that researchers are able to trust the material they read. The system of peer review is used to maintain standards and to improve the quality of papers. This vital system is, however, significantly flawed. There is little incentive for reviewers to invest sufficient time in picking up all errors in publications, and any ineptitude on their part is usually protected by anonymity. It has reached the point where some reviewers have mistakenly permitted the publication of hoax papers deliberately presented with a complicated scientific facade. In light of such astounding inadequacies, perhaps a more open review process would be an improvement. Electronic publishing allows errata to be linked to the original papers. This might improve the current situation, where errors tend to be propagated from one paper to the next. There is an increasing trend towards open access for papers in scientific journals and conference proceedings, which helps to reach as wide an audience as possible. This also supports the statement in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which says ‘everyone has the right freely to ‌ share in scientific advancement and its benefits’. Various measures (including the impact factor) have been used to rate the performance of journals, while a count of citations (or the h-index) is often used to rate the performance of scientific authors. Some flaws in this approach have been highlighted. Scientific publishing remains alive and well, despite some problems and challenges. Electronic technology provides some wonderful opportunities to improve the way we communicate scientific results.

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A quick inspection of today’s news media shows that there are numerous scientific issues facing us at the moment. Some current controversies such as climate change make it difficult to know just where to find the truth. There is certainly much evidence that shows that the global climate is changing. However, it is also questioned by some, perhaps on shaky grounds, whether that change is in the direction of warming the globe, and whether man has played a significant part in climate change. How do we go about establishing the truth of the various claims that are made, and how do we interpret where they are coming from? Another area that affects all of us is the set of dietary guidelines that we have been given regarding how to balance the amounts of protein, fats, and carbohydrates that we eat. Certainly, some of the conventional wisdom has been based on appalling science. But, there are many claims and counter-claims doing the rounds at the moment. Where does the truth lie, and how do you judge how to live your life and feed yourself? These topics rely on scientific evidence to get closer to the truth. Scientific progress relies on the publication of ideas that can be improved over time, and experimental results that can be replicated and tested. Many people have spoken over the years on the subject of truth and knowledge, which has to be the beginning of a discussion such as this. For example: The wisest of men is he who knows that he knows nothing – Socrates All men by nature desire knowledge – Aristotle

* Mintek, Randburg. Š The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 2015. SA ISSN 2225-6253. Address presented at the Annual General Meeting on 13 August 2015. PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

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Synopsis


Truth and error in scientific publishing If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things – RenĂŠ Descartes All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them – Galileo Galilei In questions of science, the authority of a thousand is not worth the humble reasoning of a single individual – Galileo Galilei All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident – Arthur Schopenhauer This whole notion of truth being something out there to be discovered is something that Isaac Newton spoke about as an ‘undiscovered ocean of truth’. He said: ‘I do not know what I may appear to the world, but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the seashore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me.’ (Brewster, 1855)

Epistemology (the study of knowledge) The foundations of the study of knowledge are to be found in the branch of philosophy known as epistemology. Knowledge was seen by Aristotle as ‘justified true belief’, that is, belief that is true, and that is known to be true on the basis of compelling reasons and evidence supplied by a rational method of enquiry. It is necessary for knowledge to be arrived at by a process of reasoning, and not merely a lucky guess. Knowledge of the truth can be obtained either by a priori reasoning (such as in mathematics or logic), or by empirical experience (such as in science or engineering). Albert Einstein spoke of epistemology saying: ‘Science without epistemology is – insofar as it is thinkable at all – primitive and muddled. However, no sooner has the epistemologist, who is seeking a clear system, fought his way through such a system, than he is inclined to interpret the thought-content of science in the sense of his system and to reject whatever does not fit into his system. The scientist, however, cannot afford to carry his striving for epistemological systematic that far. ... He therefore must appear to the systematic epistemologist as an unscrupulous opportunist.’ (Einstein, 1949)

In the discussion that follows, I will try to avoid too much ‘unscrupulous opportunism’ as we focus more on scientific matters.

What is truth? There are many different views of truth. At the one extreme, there is Solipsism – the denial of reality – where life is perhaps seen as an illusion. While this is a possibility that has to be entertained, solipsism is not a view that is held widely. One notch below that is Radical scepticism, where it is claimed that our only direct knowledge is of our senses, and anything else is known only indirectly. Relativism maintains that everything depends on one's point of view. This view goes back many centuries, as Marcus Aurelius said: ‘Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.’ A more pragmatic view is held in Instrumentalism, where it is said that quantities can be measured, even if we have no way of knowing whether theoretical entities actually exist. Thermodynamics employs this approach quite effectively. Fallabilism says that one can know things, even though we are sometimes wrong. Empiricism is based on observation or experience. This is getting much closer to the central approach of science. Rationalism maintains that truth is based on reason. At the other end of the spectrum is Dogmatism, whose adherents are quite certain of their truth, although this implies a degree of closed-mindedness. As US Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr said: ‘Certitude is not the test of certainty’.

Attitude towards knowledge Dogmatism is problematic, at least in part because it often occurs in close conjunction with ignorance. The Dunning– Kruger effect (Kruger and Dunning, 1999) is a cognitive bias where unskilled individuals overestimate their abilities (due to the meta-cognitive inability of the unskilled to evaluate their own ability levels accurately), and conversely highly skilled individuals underestimate their competence (because they assume that tasks that are easy for them are also easy for others). Their study was inspired by the case of McArthur Wheeler, a man who robbed two banks after covering his face with lemon juice, mistakenly believing that, because lemon juice is usable as invisible ink, it would prevent his face from being recorded on surveillance cameras. He was arrested the same night. As Charles Darwin said: ‘ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge’ (Darwin,

Figure 1—Isaac Newton (Portrait in 1689, age 46, by Godfrey Kneller)

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Figure 2—Albert Einstein


Truth and error in scientific publishing

Socrates and Plato Some useful perspective can be gained by going back to the time of the Ancient Greeks. Socrates lived from 469 to 399 BC. He introduced a method (the Socratic method) of teaching that involved asking questions. This great philosopher, Socrates, did not record his own words for posterity, but fortunately Plato recorded the teachings of Socrates in many of his books. It is often said that all of philosophy following Plato is just a set of variations on the themes he introduced. The Socratic method led to the development of the scientific method. A number of other people also played a part in the development of the scientific method. A few of these are highlighted here.

Karl Popper Sir Karl Raimund Popper is generally regarded as one of the greatest philosophers of science of the 20th century. He was an Austro-British philosopher and a professor at the London School of Economics. He introduced the notion of falsification and falsifiability as being central to the scientific enterprise (Popper, 1959). Popper is known for his rejection of the classical inductivist views on the scientific method, in favour

Figure 3—Socrates and Plato

of empirical falsification: a theory in the empirical sciences can never be proven, but it can be disproved or falsified, meaning that it can and should be scrutinized by decisive experiments. If the outcome of an experiment contradicts the theory, one should refrain from ad hoc manoeuvres that evade the contradiction merely by making it less falsifiable. This view led Popper to posit that the strength of a scientific theory lies in its both being susceptible to falsification, and not actually being falsified by criticism made of it. He considered that if a theory cannot, in principle, be falsified by criticism, it is not a scientific theory. Logically, no number of positive outcomes at the level of experimental testing can confirm a scientific theory, but a single counterexample is logically decisive: it shows the theory, from which the implication is derived, to be false. Popper states that while there is no way to prove that the sun will rise, it is possible to formulate the theory that every day the sun will rise; if it does not rise on some particular day, the theory will be falsified and will have to be replaced by a different one. Until that day, there is no need to reject the assumption that the theory is true. Popper and David Hume held to a similar view that there is often a psychological belief that the sun will rise tomorrow, but both denied that there is logical justification for the supposition that it will, simply because it always has in the past. The search for truth is ‘one of the strongest motives for scientific discovery’ (Popper, 1959). Perhaps our attitude as scientists should be one of deliberately trying to prove wrong all of the things that we hold true and closest to us. Go out and test things. If they are true they will be true; if they are not, then it was a good thing to test it anyway.

Thomas Kuhn Thomas Kuhn, an American philosopher, introduced some new ways of looking at the scientific method, describing revolutions in science by paradigm shifts, a paradigm being the accepted corpus of methods and theories within a field (Kuhn, 1966). For example, in the biological sciences, understanding changed dramatically after Darwin; in sociology, economics, and politics, things changed dramatically after Karl Marx published his work; as they did in physics after Albert Einstein made known his theory of relativity.

Figure 4—Karl Popper (1902–1994) (Image courtesy of the archives of the London School of Economics, ca. 1980)

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1871). William Shakespeare said much the same thing in As You Like It: ‘The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.’ (Shakespeare, 1623) A more helpful attitude towards knowledge is one of greater humility that keeps in mind the strong possibility that there is more to the real world than our own perspective allows us to see. This is well illustrated by Edwin Abbott's 1884 satirical short novel entitled Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions (Abbott, 1884). The book comments on the hierarchy of Victorian culture, but its most enduring contribution is its examination of dimensions. The story is about a two-dimensional world occupied by geometric figures, and is told from the perspective of a Square who dreams about a visit to a one-dimensional world (Lineland) inhabited by ‘lustrous points’, in which he attempts to convince the realm’s monarch of a second dimension, but is unable to do so. The Square describes (from a twodimensional point of view) a visit by a three-dimensional Sphere, which he cannot comprehend until he sees Spaceland (a tridimensional world) for himself. The book also talks of Pointland, where the Point (sole inhabitant, monarch, and universe in one) perceives any communication as a thought originating in his own mind (Solipsism).


Truth and error in scientific publishing Science textbooks expound the body of accepted theory, show many successful applications, and provide exemplary observations and experiments. Before such books became popular in the early 1800s, many of the famous classics of science fulfilled a similar function. Aristotle’s Physica, Ptolemy’s Almagest, Newton’s Principia and Opticks, Franklin’s Electricity, Lavoisier’s Chemistry, and Lyell’s Geology served for a time to define the legitimate problems and methods of a research field for succeeding generations of practitioners. Kuhn explained that the study of the paradigms presented in these books prepares the student for membership in the particular scientific community, and provides a common fundamental basis for effective communication. History suggests that the road to a firm research consensus is extraordinarily arduous, and often proceeds by a series of scientific revolutions, or shifts away from the prevailing paradigm of the day. For example, in the 1700s Newton’s Opticks taught that light was made up of material corpuscles. In the 1800s physics texts taught that light was transverse wave motion. In the 1900s, the work of Planck, Einstein, and others taught that light is photons – quantummechanical entities that exhibit some characteristics of waves and some of particles. Paradigms determine what problems are studied, what methods are used, and what criteria are employed to judge the results. For example, chemists, after Dalton introduced his atomic theory, reported chemical compositions as ratios of integers rather than as decimals with fractions. The paradigm provides a framework to suggest which experiments are worth conducting and which are not. Both fact collection and theory articulation became highly directed activities. Here, Francis Bacon’s comment is appropriate: ’Truth emerges more readily from error than from confusion’ (Bacon, 1869, p. 210). By using an established paradigm (or textbook) as a base, the creative scientist can begin his or her research where it leaves off. Research can then be embodied not in books addressed to a general audience, but in shorter research articles addressed to professional colleagues who work within the same paradigm. As physicist Max Planck observed (before Popper or Kuhn): ‘A new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and making them see the light, but rather because its opponents eventually die and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it’ (Planck, 1949).

appropriate, control groups should be used as a reference. In the medical or pharmaceutical fields, double-blind protocols are used where both the subjects being experimented on and the experimenter do not know exactly what is happening in the experiment. If two ideas explain the data equally well, the simpler one is preferred. Occam’s razor suggests that the simpler theory with fewer (or less onerous) unproved assumptions is probably the most appropriate one. General theories then gather together the hypotheses that are consistent with all current data. They remain provisional and tentative until something better comes along. Scientific theories cannot be proven (only corroborated), but can be shown to be beyond reasonable doubt. We can be quite confident that the sun will rise tomorrow. But this does not imply that it will rise ten billion years from now (by which time its fuel will most likely have been exhausted). In science there are no authorities. There are experts at most, and even their opinions can be challenged by anyone – so long as there is an argument, and evidence to back it up.

Laws of thermodynamics Thermodynamics is a collection of useful mathematical relations between quantities, every one of which is independently measurable. Although thermodynamics tells us nothing whatsoever about the microscopic explanation of macroscopic changes, it is useful because it can be used to quantify many unknowns. Thermodynamics is useful precisely because some quantities are easier to measure than others. The laws of thermodynamics provide an elegant mathematical expression of some empirically discovered facts of nature. The principle of energy conservation allows calculations to be made of the energy requirements for processes. The principle of increasing entropy (and the resulting free-energy minimization) allows predictions to be made about the extent to which those processes may proceed. Thermodynamics deals with some very abstract quantities, and makes deductions from mathematical relations. In this, it is a little like mathematics itself, which, according to Bertrand Russell, ‘may be defined as the subject in which we never know what we are talking about, nor whether what we are saying is true’. However, thermodynamics is trusted as a reliable source of information about the real world, precisely because it has delivered the goods in the past. Its ultimate justification is that it works.

Scientific method Science is an error-correcting process that tests our ideas against the real world. Observations of the world lead to the recognition of patterns (through inductive reasoning) which lead to interesting questions about why the pattern might occur. Hypotheses are formulated in such a way that they are framed as testable questions. The scientific method cannot be applied to untestable, unfalsifiable questions. A number of possible explanations are found, and the scientist needs to think up ways of testing which ones might be wrong. Data sets are gathered (and repeated) to test the prediction. The hypothesis is then rejected, accepted, or refined and retested. Experiments should be replicated reproducibly. Where

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Figure 5—Thomas Kuhn


Truth and error in scientific publishing Library of Alexandria

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society

Much of the knowledge of the ancient Greeks was captured in papyrus scrolls in the Library of Alexandria in Egypt from around 280 BC until a few hundred years later when, sadly, it was destroyed. During its existence, the library was the largest in the world. Perhaps it could be argued that its leading position came about because Alexandria dominated papyrus production – the required technology of the time. (In this way, Alexandria could almost be seen as the Silicon Valley of the ancient world.) In addition to collecting ancient works, the library also hosted numerous international scholars, paid for by the Egyptian rulers. This allowed the Library of Alexandria to work towards the fulfilment of its mandate of collecting all of the world’s knowledge at the time. Scholars such as Euclid and Archimedes are said to have studied, written, and experimented at Alexandria.

Scientific publishing of journal papers has been in existence for 350 years. The world’s oldest and longest-running scientific journal, the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, was first published in March 1665, in London. ‘Henry Oldenburg – Secretary of the Royal Society and first Editor of the publication – ensured that it was “licensed by the council of the society, being first reviewed by some of the members of the same�, thus making it the first ever peerreviewed journal’ (Royal Society, 2011). The motto of the Royal Society is ‘Nullius in verba’ – Latin for ‘take nobody’s word for it’. In the interests of making scientific information available to a wider audience, the Royal Society announced in October 2011 that it had made the historical archives of the Philosophical Transactions (over 60 000 scientific papers) permanently free to online access from anywhere in the world. All of the historical archival papers (published more than 70 years ago) from the Philosophical Transactions are now freely available on the website of the Royal Society. It is now easy to read the original published work of Newton, and Benjamin Franklin’s account of his experiments with lightning by means of holding a kite in a thunderstorm. Current publications are available through delayed open access where older articles (12 months for biological sciences, and 24 months for physical sciences) are made freely available. They also allow a hybrid open-access or openchoice option where authors can pay an article-processing charge that allows for their article to be made freely available immediately upon publication. Such articles are covered by a Creative Commons licence allowing redistribution and re-use (Royal Society, 2012).

The tradition of scientific and technical literature in the field of metallurgy dates back to the mid 1500s. The first printed book on metallurgy to have been published in Europe is considered to be De la Pirotechnia, written in Italian by Vannoccio Biringuccio, and published in Venice in 1540. This book (Biringuccio, 1540) gives details on mining practice, the extraction and refining of numerous metals, and the production of alloys such as brass. Georgius Agricola (1494-1555) was not the first writer on the subjects of mining and metallurgy, but is well known as the author of De Re Metallica (‘of things metallic’ or ‘on the nature of metals’), a book that documents and illustrates the observations he made in the course of his extensive travels in the 1500s. Agricola wrote extensively about mining methods and metallurgical processes that were in place in the Middle Ages. The original Latin version of De Re Metallica was published in 1556, the year after Agricola died. It was later translated into English by Herbert Hoover, a mining engineer and later President of the United States, and his wife Lou Henry Hoover, a geologist and classicist. The English version of De Re Metallica was published in 1912. In his preface to De Re Metallica (Agricola, 1556), the author says: ‘I have omitted all those things which I have not myself seen, or have not read or heard of from persons upon whom I can rely. That which I have neither seen, nor carefully considered after reading or hearing of, I have not written about.’

Figure 6—Georgius Agricola, and one of the woodcut illustrations of a smelter in De Re Metallica

Technical societies and the SAIMM In the early days of scientific societies, regular meetings were held to discuss science and to conduct experiments. The reading of scientific papers took place, and publication of papers (and the ensuing discussion) was undertaken to record the proceedings of meetings. Meetings often included rather robust debate. A typical scene from a meeting of a scientific society is shown in Figure 8. The origins of the SAIMM can be traced back to a meeting of fourteen chemists and metallurgists that took place on 24 March 1894 at the North-Western Hotel, 21 Pritchard Street, Johannesburg. The meeting saw the formation of the

Figure 7—Henry Oldenburg and Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society

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Historical mining and metallurgical publications


Truth and error in scientific publishing environment, it is essential that researchers are able to trust the material they read. Learned societies nowadays exist to promote an academic discipline or profession, and are mostly not-for-profit organizations. They typically hold conferences for the presentation and discussion of new research results, and publish or sponsor academic journals in their discipline. The system of peer review (significantly flawed, but the best we have) is used to maintain standards and to improve the quality of papers, but reviewers need to be chosen carefully and monitored. Nowadays, some learned societies continue to publish journals themselves, while others have contracted this job to commercial publishing companies. The SAIMM is fortunate to be in control of its own destiny in this regard.

Figure 8—Nikolai Tesla giving a demonstration in 1893

Chemical and Metallurgical Society of South Africa and the election of a council. At that stage Johannesburg was a very young city, with gold having been discovered there only a few years earlier, in 1886. In his inaugural address as President of the Chemical and Metallurgical Society of South Africa in 1894, William Bettel made the following remarks: ‘As Chemists and Metallurgists of the Rand you have before you much useful and interesting work, and it remains with you, gentlemen, by publication or diffusion of accurate scientific information, by exposure of pseudo-scientific frauds, ‌ to claim as a right the recognition of your proper status in relation to this community. I heard a rumour about a certain company getting an actual extraction of 125 per cent. from concentrates. Such results as I have instanced are obviously imagined, or as chemists say, “cookedâ€?’ (Bettel, 1894). Some further examples of forthright comment can be found in the records of monthly meetings from 1895. ‘As for Mr Suckling’s process, I fail to see the novelty or usefulness of the method. The use of a blast (pressure) instead of a draught of air (suction) is, to my mind, a retrograde movement, and absurd from its manifest conditions’ (Bettel, 1895). ‘I have examined the Sulman process from both theoretical and practical points of view, and I can only come to the conclusion that it is not a bromination process, neither is it a cyanide process, but that it is a very bad oxidation process, consequently useless’ (Schlunde, 1895). In 1903, mining engineers were included in the society and the name was changed to the Chemical, Metallurgical and Mining Society of South Africa. In 1956, another name change took place, with the new identity being the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Fifty years later, in 2006, the expansion of activities to the wider region led to the current name of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Not only do names change, but the passage of time has brought about a change in the nature of scientific societies. In today’s world, there is a plethora of publications, and it is close to impossible for anyone to keep up with the vast flow of information. International conferences with hundreds of presentations have taken the place of local meetings that used to discuss a single paper or experiment. In this frenetic

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Information explosion and electronic publishing In recent times, the Internet, and the World Wide Web (Berners-Lee, 2000) – devised by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989, and which attained mass popularization about twenty years ago – have transformed the dissemination of knowledge, a capacity once exclusive to publishers. Google CEO Eric Schmidt said in 2010: ‘Between the birth of the world and 2003, there were five exabytes of information created. We [now] create five exabytes every two days.’ It is fair to describe this as an information explosion. Along with the exponential growth in the world’s population in modern times, there has been an even greater exponential growth in the world’s accumulated knowledge. The advent of the Internet, the World Wide Web, and search engines such as Google has made it easy to find information on almost any topic. This would have been almost unimaginable as little as twenty years ago. Open access to information is invaluable and taken for granted by many. Science has grown exponentially since the late 1600s, both in respect of number of researchers and publications. According to Price (1963), the ‘size of science’ has increased by an estimated five orders of magnitude in three centuries. Price also said: ‘we can say that 80 to 90 percent of all the scientists that have ever lived are alive now’. Journal publishing of scientific papers is the most common form of dissemination of new research results, in particular in science and medicine. Other types of scientific publication include conference papers, book chapters, books, and reports. BjĂśrk and colleagues (2009) estimated that 1.35 million scientific journal papers were published in 23 750 refereed journals in 2006. The total number of active scholarly journals, refereed plus non-refereed, was 60 911. There were 2690 open access scholarly journals, including 1735 that were also refereed. They also found that 19.4 per cent of these papers were openly available online. According to Reich (2013), more than 2 million papers were published in 2012. The rise of China in the internationally influential journal literature indexed by Thomson Reuters – in terms of share of world output – is the most significant event in the structure of scientific research in the past 30 years. In 1983, China produced just 0.6 per cent of articles surveyed by Thomson Reuters in the Science Citation Index (Web of Science). By 2013, China produced some 13 per cent of the literature, second only to the United States at 29 percent (King and Pendlebury, 2013).


Truth and error in scientific publishing

A long title, a long list of authors, and a short abstract The style of a journal paper follows a typical stylised form. It always has a title, a list of authors, their affiliations, and an abstract. Typically, papers have a length of 3 000 to 10 000 words. However, there have to be those who take things to the extreme. Among the contenders for the longest title of a research paper is ’The nucleotide sequence of a 3.2 kb segment of mitochondrial maxicircle DNA from Crithidia fasciculata containing the gene for cytochrome oxidase subunit III, the N-terminal part of the apocytochrome b gene and a possible frameshift gene; further evidence for the use of unusual initiator triplets in trypanosome mitochondria’ (Sloof et al., 1987). A physics paper with 5154 authors (Aad et al., 2015) broke the record for the largest number of contributors to a single research article. This paper presents collaborative work done at the Large Hadron Collider to determine the most precise estimate yet of the mass of the Higgs boson. The 33page article in Physical Review Letters devotes nine pages to describing the research itself (including references) and 24 pages to listing the authors and their institutions (Castelvecchi, 2015). More refreshing in style is the following example of a paper (Berry et al., 2011) with a very short abstract: Title: Can apparent superluminal neutrino speeds be explained as a quantum weak measurement? Abstract: Probably not.

The shortest paper (Upper, 1974) is entitled The unsuccessful self-treatment of a case of “writer‘s block�; it contains no words at all in the body of the paper. The published review of the paper said: ‘I have studied this manuscript very carefully with lemon juice and X-rays and have not detected a single flaw in either design or writing style. I suggest it be published without revision. Clearly it is the most concise manuscript I have ever seen—yet it contains sufficient detail to allow other investigators to replicate Dr. Upper's failure. In comparison with the other manuscripts I get from you containing all that complicated detail, this one was a pleasure to examine. Surely we can find a place for this paper in the Journal—perhaps on the edge of a blank page.’

Citations are rare The frequency of citations that a paper receives is often used as an indicator of quality, even though this approach has its limitations. When a work is cited, it generally indicates that it is taken as being relevant to the citing author’s research. Citations allow scientists to gauge how much their research is used by other authors. Citations, in this way, are an indicator of productivity as well as impact. As reported by Garfield (1998) and Schwartz (1997), studies conducted on the journals indexed by the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) indicated that large percentages of the scholarly literature were never cited. It was found that 55 per cent of the papers published between 1981 and 1985 received no citations at all in the five years after they were published. Another study of papers published in 1984 found that 47 per cent of articles in the physical sciences, 75 per cent of articles in the social sciences, and 98 per cent of articles in the arts and humanities had not received any citations by the end of 1988. More than 72 per cent of all papers published in engineering had no citations at all, and for metallurgy and mining the figure was 75 per cent. These statistics apply to the total of every type of article that was indexed (including journal papers, editorials, obituaries, and letters). A narrower interpretation of the data applying only to journal papers found that 22 per cent of articles in the physical sciences, 48 per cent of articles in the social sciences, and 93 per cent of articles in the arts and humanities had not received any citations by the end of 1988. Citations of journal papers are most common in the biological and physical sciences, but less so in engineering where conferences are more important, and where implementation is more important than publication. Social sciences and the humanities tend to place greater reliance on books than on journals. A more recent study found that, in a sample of over 1.3 million papers across all disciplines and years, 61 per cent of papers had zero citations, and 12 per cent had only one citation, with 4 per cent having 16 or more citations. The point was also made by Garfield (1998) that a small group of journals account for the vast majority of significant research publications, and the overwhelming majority of articles published in the 200 journals with the highest cumulative impact are cited within a few years of publication, and after five years, uncitedness is almost nonexistent.

Negative citations Not all citations are positive. For instance, Andrew Wakefield wrote a controversial paper on the association between the VOLUME 115

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PLoS ONE, published (as paid open access) by the notfor-profit Public Library of Science, published 6749 papers in 2010, which makes it the world’s largest journal (Whitfield, 2011). Articles published in this journal undergo peer review, but some of the standard criteria that older journals use to screen out articles — such as ‘degree of advance’ or ‘interest to a general reader’ — are not used by PLoS ONE reviewers; all papers of scientific merit are posted to the public record. Only weeks (not months) go by before a submitted article is published; the journal is in a state of continuous publication, not printed periodically. In some fields of science, such as physics and astronomy, print journals have receded in importance owing to online repositories such as arXiv (pronounced ‘archive’) that disseminate studies without the nuisance of peer review. Physicist Paul Ginsparg, formerly at the Los Alamos Lab and now at Cornell University, created a free archive of unrefereed physics “e-prints� – a pre-publication server that is now a primary means for physicists to exchange information. Worldwide readership discovers errors quickly, and authors revise their submissions in response to feedback. This works well for physics, but might be less suitable for the medical community where it might promote the use of unfounded cures. Recent developments in electronic publishing on websites make it possible to disseminate information more widely and cost-effectively than before. Professional societies have an opportunity to serve their members and their industry by publishing high-quality peer-reviewed papers on their websites as well as in printed form. Older publications can be scanned, and optical character recognition (OCR) can be used to provide searchable text.


Truth and error in scientific publishing MMR vaccine and autism, which was published in a leading medical journal The Lancet. This paper has received nearly two thousand citations, whereas most authors would be thrilled to receive a hundred. However, the quality of Wakefield’s research is not at all reflected by this large number. Many of these citations are a product of the storm of controversy surrounding the work, and are contained within papers which are critical of the methods used. Wakefield’s research has now been robustly discredited, and the paper was retracted by The Lancet in 2010. Nevertheless, this extreme case highlights serious problems with mechanistically judging a paper, or an academic researcher, purely by number of citations.

Open access The Universal Declaration of Human Rights says that everyone has the right freely to ‌ share in scientific advancement and its benefits’. Access to information is a basic human right that is also entrenched in the Constitution of South Africa. Electronic publishing has changed the dynamics of the dissemination of information, and it is now possible to provide universal, unrestricted free access to fulltext scholarly materials via the Internet. An argument for open access publishing (Jones, 2012) has been presented previously in this Journal. Through proper management of open-access publication, it is possible to maintain the same standards of high-quality production of peer-reviewed papers, with the potential for greatly increased dissemination and citation. The SAIMM made its Journal papers available through open access in 2007. Today’s world faces many policy choices, including issues such as climate change, and food production and intake, as mentioned earlier. These issues cannot be properly addressed without widespread access (by researchers and the general public) to the results of scientific research in each of these areas. In 2012, the British government announced an initiative to make all taxpayer-funded research available online to anyone who wants to read or use it (Jones, 2012). In February 2013, the US White House announced that government-funded research should be made free to read within 12 months of publication. From 2014, the results of all research funded by the European Union must be open access. Estimates of the proportion of papers currently available free online range from 30 per cent to 50 per cent. Half of the papers published in 2011 are now free to read (Van Noorden, 2013).

Wikipedia and Encyclopaedia Britannica In 2005, Nature published a study it undertook of the accuracy of articles from Wikipedia and Encyclopaedia Britannica. This showed that the difference in accuracy was not particularly great (averaging out to 2.92 mistakes per article for Britannica, and 3.86 for Wikipedia). Britannica is based on strong scholarship, sound judgment, and disciplined editorial review. Wikipedia is very current, comprehensive in coverage, and is based on continuous correction by many people. The core Wikipedia values include a neutral point of view, no original research (as appropriate for an encyclopedia), verifiable information only, and citing sources.

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Stigler's Law Stigler’s Law of Eponymy is a process proposed by Stephen Stigler, a professor of statistics at the University of Chicago (Stigler, 1980). In its simplest and strongest form it says: ‘No scientific discovery is named after its original discoverer’. Stigler pointed out that ‘[i]t can be found that Laplace employed Fourier Transforms in print before Fourier published on the topic, that Lagrange presented Laplace Transforms before Laplace began his scientific career, that Poisson published the Cauchy distribution in 1824, twentynine years before Cauchy touched on it in an incidental manner, and that BienaymĂŠ stated and proved the Chebychev Inequality a decade before and in greater generality than Chebychev’s first work on the topic.’ For that matter, the Pythagorean theorem was known before Pythagoras, and Gaussian distributions were not discovered by Gauss. Historical acclaim for discoveries is often assigned to persons of note who bring attention to an idea that is not yet widely known, whether or not that person was its original inventor. Eminent scientists will often get more credit than a comparatively unknown researcher, even if their works are similar; it also means that credit will usually be given to researchers who are already famous. Some examples from the Wikipedia entry for Stigler’s Law are listed below. ÂŽ Alzheimer’s disease had been previously described by at least half a dozen others before Alois Alzheimer’s 1906 report which is often (wrongly) regarded as the first description of the disorder ÂŽ The Bessemer process was discovered by William Kelly in 1851. Henry Bessemer was the first to obtain a patent in 1855 ÂŽ Fibonacci was not the first to discover the famous sequence of Fibonacci numbers. They had existed in Indian mathematics since 200 BC. Fibonacci provided the series in 1202 AD ÂŽ The normal or Gaussian distribution was introduced by Abraham de Moivre in 1733, but was named after Carl Friedrich Gauss who began using it in 1794 ÂŽ Newton’s first and second laws of mechanics were known and proposed in separate ways by Galileo, Hooke, and Huygens before Newton described these in his PhilosophiĂŚ Naturalis Principia Mathematica. Newton owns the discovery of only the third one ÂŽ The Reynolds number in fluid mechanics was introduced by George Stokes, but is named after Osborne Reynolds, who popularized its use ÂŽ Stokes’s theorem was discovered by Lord Kelvin. Stigler explicitly named the sociologist Robert K. Merton as the true discoverer of ‘Stigler‘s Law’, and so avoided this law about laws disobeying its very own decree. ‘Stigler‘s Law’ is an example of itself. Robert Merton described the principle in his 1957 Presidential Address to the American Sociological Society (Merton, 1957). Merton is regarded as one of the founding fathers of sociology. He also developed and popularized notable concepts such as ‘unintended consequences’, as well as coining the phrases ‘role model’, and ‘self-fulfilling prophecy’. Throughout his career, Merton came to publish about 50 papers in the sociology of science.

Newton and Leibniz Robert Merton talks about the structure of the scientific


Truth and error in scientific publishing dictionary), for these letters made it plain that Pascal, not Newton, had, to the greater glory of France, first discovered the law of gravitation, a momentous correction of history, which for several years excited the interest of the AcadĂŠmie des Sciences and usurped many pages of the Comptes Rendus until, in 1869, Vrain-Lucas was finally brought to book and sentenced to two years in prison.’ In the MĂŠcanique CĂŠleste (until then, outranked only by Newton’s Principia) ‘theorems and formulae are appropriated wholesale without acknowledgement’ by Laplace (Merton, 1957, p. 652).

Piltdown hoax

enterprise and the pressure that is placed on scientists with regard to priority in scientific discovery. (This can be seen, for example, in the way that scientific journals often print the date on which the manuscript of a published article was received, in order to record its priority date.) One example of these pressures arose in the invention of calculus – an idea whose time had come, and was independently invented in two places at a similar time, by Isaac Newton (1642–1727) and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646–1716). [There are discrepancies in the recorded dates of birth and death, depending on whether Julian or Gregorian calendars were used.] Newton was the first to conceive of the methods of calculus, but Leibniz was the first to publish on the topic. Much controversy arose between Newton and Leibniz over the invention of calculus. When the Royal Society finally established a committee to adjudicate the rival claims, Newton, who was then president of the Royal Society, packed the committee, helped direct its activities, anonymously wrote the preface for the second published report – the draft is in his handwriting – and included in that preface a disarming reference to the old legal maxim that ‘no one is a proper witness for himself’. Newton must have felt intense pressure for self-vindication that made him adopt such offensive means for the defence of his valid claims. According to Merton, it was not because Newton was so weak but because the institutionalized values were so strong that he was driven to such lengths.

Fraud in science Concerns about fraud in science have been around for a long time. In 1830, Charles Babbage deplored unreliable science, and was concerned about the prevailing state of affairs in the scientific world of his day. He discussed ‘hoaxing, forging, trimming, and cooking’ of data (Babbage, 1830). Merton (1957) mentions the remarkably prolific VrainLucas who, in the mid-1800s, created and sold more than 27 000 pieces of manuscript that included letters by Pontius Pilate, Mary Magdalene, the resurrected Lazarus, Ovid, Luther, Dante, Shakespeare, Galileo, Pascal, and Newton, all written on paper and in modern French. ‘Most provocative among these documents was the correspondence between Pascal and the then eleven-year-old Newton (all in French, of course, although even at the advanced age of thirty-one Newton could struggle through French only with the aid of a

The Piltdown Man was an infamous paleoanthropological hoax, perpetrated in 1912, in which bone fragments (parts of a skull and jawbone) were presented as the fossilized remains of a previously unknown early human. These fragments were said to have been collected in 1912 from a gravel pit at Piltdown, East Sussex, in England by Charles Dawson. The significance of the specimen remained controversial until it was exposed in 1953 as a forgery; it consisted of the lower jawbone of an orang-utan deliberately combined with the cranium of a fully developed modern human. After forty years of uneasy acceptance, the Piltdown Man was shown to be a carefully contrived hoax (Straus, 1954).

Plagiarism An article from 2014 entitled ‘Development of a guideline to approach plagiarism in Indian scenario’ was retracted by the editors of the Indian Journal of Dermatology (2015), as large portions of the manuscript were copied from a first-round questionnaire of a dissertation entitled ‘Developing a comprehensive guideline for overcoming and preventing plagiarism at the international level based on expert opinion with the Delphi method’ by another author. This rather ironic occurrence was reported by Retraction Watch (2015).

Peer review Although outright fraud is uncommon, it is necessary to have checks and balances in place to ensure the integrity of published scientific data. The system of peer review is used to maintain standards and to improve the quality of papers. This vital system is, however, significantly flawed. There is little incentive for reviewers to invest sufficient time in picking up all errors in publications, and any ineptitude on their part is usually protected by anonymity. It has reached the point where some reviewers have mistakenly permitted the publication of hoax papers deliberately presented with a complicated scientific facade. In light of such astounding inadequacies, perhaps a more open review process would be an improvement. Peer reviewers are not paid, nor adequately rewarded in any other way for what is very hard work. Nor are they held accountable by having to sign their names to their reviews. The process of peer review is costly and time-consuming. The annual cost of peer review was estimated for 2008 as being about US $2.8 billion (Brembs et al., 2013). Peer review is resistant to new or controversial ideas. The agreement between referees is often little higher than by chance. Review is also vulnerable to misconduct, plagiarism, VOLUME 115

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Figure 9—Robert K. Merton (1910–2003)


Truth and error in scientific publishing and breaches in confidentiality. For example, there was a case reported by Retraction Watch (2012) where an author faked e-mail addresses of suggested reviewers so that he could review his own work. Wasserman (2012) has criticised the current system of peer review as outdated and rather arbitrary. He has seen too many examples where one referee rejects a paper, and another equally qualified referee accepts it. He questions whether it is fair for a scientist to ‘work hard on something for two years only to have it casually dismissed by a couple of people who might happen to be in a bad mood or who feel they have to be critical for the sake of being critical’. The current system of peer review is a fairly recent innovation, not widespread until the middle of the twentieth century (New Atlantis, 2006). In the nineteenth century, many science journals were commandingly led by what Ohio State University science historian John C. Burnham dubbed ‘crusading and colorful editors’, who made their publications ‘personal mouthpieces’ for their individual views. In time, the specialization of science precluded editors from being qualified to evaluate all the submissions they received. About a century ago, Burnham notes, science journals began to direct papers to distinguished experts who would serve on affiliated editorial boards. Eventually – especially following the post-World War II research boom – the deluge of manuscripts and their increasing specialization made it difficult for even an editorial board of a dozen or so experts to handle the load. Journal editors began to seek out experts capable of commenting on manuscripts – not only researchers in the same general field, but researchers familiar with the specific techniques and even laboratory materials described in the papers under consideration. The transition from the editorial-board model to the peer-review model was eased by technological advances, such as the Xerox copier in 1959, that reduced the difficulties of sending manuscripts to experts scattered around the globe (New Atlantis, 2006). Drubin (2011) has provided an excellent set of guidelines for peer reviewers. A rigorous review process should ensure that published papers are reliable and credible. The review process itself should be constructive, fair, and civil. Drubin passes on the suggestion by David Botstein that reviewers should focus principally on the questions ‘Is it new and is it true?’ and leave it to future generations to judge a publication’s impact. A recent proposal (Schuman, 2014) suggested that authors should be required to volunteer first to review someone else’s article for the same journal in which they would like to publish their own work. The review should be timely (say within three months) and constructive.

Peer review: open/closed and identified/anonymous Many traditional journals use closed anonymous reviews, in that the reviews are not available to readers, and the authors do not know who the reviewers are. The British Medical Journal (BMJ) has its reviewers sign their comments, but does not publish the reviews. If peer reviews were made public, this would increase the transparency of the publishing process, and would encourage reviewers to write more objective and reasoned reviews. It would keep reviewers focused and fair if they knew that they were accountable for their reviews. Journals, however, might

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be reluctant to change, for, if reviews were visible (and/or not anonymous) it might be even harder than it already is to find willing reviewers.

Drawbacks of anonymity Ž Reviewers do not get credit for their reviewing work. They cannot, for example, reference particular reviews in their CVs as they can with publications. Perhaps promotion committees at universities should consider giving credit to faculty members for writing reviews Ž It is relatively easy for a reviewer to provide unnecessarily blunt or harsh critique Ž It is difficult to guess if the reviewer has any conflict of interest with the authors by being, for example, a competing researcher interested in stalling the paper’s publication.

Advantages of anonymity Ž Reviewers do not have to fear ‘payback’ for an unfavourable review that is perceived as unfair by the authors of the work Ž Some reviewers (perhaps especially high-profile senior scientists) might find it difficult to find time to provide as thorough a review as they would ideally like to provide, yet would still like to contribute and can perhaps provide valuable experienced insight. They can do so without putting their reputations on the line.

Failure of anonymous peer review The two main goals of a review system are to minimize both the number of bad studies that are accepted for publication and the number of good studies that are rejected for publication. (This ignores the other intended benefit, which is to improve the quality of a paper.) The cost of wrongly rejecting good papers is invisible (as they do not get published) but potentially very high, as good work may not get the exposure it deserves, a consequence that could discourage promising young scientists. Cases have been documented where a number of very talented and promising young scientists sent work to a journal, fully expecting to be scrutinized, but received reviews that were so personal, rude, scathing, and above all, unfair, that they decided to look for another profession and never returned to science. The inherent conservatism in anonymous peer review means that people with new, original approaches to old problems run the risk of being shut out. The most fundamental problem with anonymous peer review is the lack of accountability. Reviewers can basically say whatever they want to say, because they are protected by anonymity. An additional problem arises from reviewers having too little time (note that they are not paid for their work), which leads to sloppy and superficial reviews. There is also the temptation to misuse the power available to reviewers: if we look at peer review as a strategic game, rejecting everything is a strong strategy, as this will always reduce the influence of the reviewer’s competition. It has been proposed that reviewers should sign their reviews, and should be able to stand by what they say and not be able to hide behind anonymity in a cowardly fashion. Provision can be made for anonymity on those occasions where a junior person is asked to review the work of an


Truth and error in scientific publishing

Bad peer review David Shatz has pointed out that ‘many heavily cited papers, including some describing work which won a Nobel Prize, were originally rejected by peer review’ (Shatz, 2004). Shatz, a Yeshiva University philosophy professor, outlines some of the charges made against the referee process in his 2004 book Peer Review: A Critical Inquiry. He maintains that reviewers are often not really ‘conversant with the published literature’; they are ‘biased toward papers that affirm their prior convictions’; and they ‘are biased against innovation and/or are poor judges of quality’. Reviewers also seem biased in favour of authors from prestigious institutions. Shatz describes a study in which ‘papers that had been published in journals by authors from prestigious institutions were retyped and resubmitted with a non-prestigious affiliation indicated for the author. Not only did referees mostly fail to recognize these previously published papers in their field, they recommended rejection.’

Campanario (1995) describes examples of influential and/or highly cited papers that were initially rejected by one or more scientific journals. The work reported in eight of the papers eventually earned Nobel Prizes for their authors; six papers later became the most cited of the journals in which they were published. Also described are influential and highly cited scientific books whose authors encountered problems in publishing them. These case studies suggest that, although rejection may subsequently result in an improved manuscript, on other occasions referees may simply have failed to appreciate a paper's importance. Many of these rejected papers also reported unexpected findings or discoveries that challenged conventional models or interpretations. Some of the most cited papers of all times were rejected by referees, or returned by editors. Of course, these are the ones we know about – the ones where authors have persisted until their papers eventually get published. Shatz (2004, p. 90) mentions numerous innovative papers that were initially rejected in the process of peer review. These include papers presenting the discovery of blood typing, Jenner’s 1796 paper describing vaccinations against smallpox, Murray Gell-Man’s work on quarks, and Krebs’s paper describing the citric acid cycle. Nature declined to accept Krebs’s paper on the ‘Krebs cycle’ in 1937, saying: ‘The Editor of Nature presents his compliments to Mr. H.A. Krebs and regrets that as he has already sufficient letters to fill the correspondence columns of Nature for seven or eight weeks, it is undesirable to accept further letters at the present time on account of the delay which must occur in their publication. If Mr. Krebs does not mind such delay, the Editor is prepared to keep the letter until the congestion is relieved in the hope of making use of it. He returns it now, however, in case Mr. Krebs prefers to submit it for early publication to another periodical.’ In 1988, seven years after Krebs’s death, an anonymous editor published a letter in Nature calling the rejection the journal’s most ‘egregious error’ (Borrell, 2010). The work by Krebs later won a Nobel Prize. At least 35 articles that would eventually earn the Nobel Prize and fame for their authors were rejected outright during the initial inspection by reviewers (Campanario, 1995). As one example, in the case of quasicrystals, there was a paper rejected by the Journal of Applied Physics in 1984, but through persistence it was later published in Metallurgical Transactions A and Physical Review Letters. One of the reviewers, Linus Pauling, said: ‘There is no such thing as quasicrystals, only quasi-scientists’ (Slavov, 2015). Nevertheless, Dan Schechtman won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2011. Some further examples have been listed by Slavov (2014) of very significant foundational scientific results that were rejected by major journals and magazines but have nonetheless stood the test of time and proven to be of exceptional importance to science.

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established senior researcher, and fears for possible repercussions. Reviews could be stored and made accessible on a website. Reviewers who reject good papers, and reviewers who accept bad papers, for whatever reason, can be held accountable for what they write. Also, on a more encouraging note, reviewers would get more credit for their reviews. Under the current system, the difference between being a constructive reviewer and a careless one is invisible to all except journal editors (De Ruiter, 2014). A study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry (Walsh et al., 2000) used a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the feasibility of an open peer-review system. Reviewers were asked whether they would agree to having their names revealed to the authors whose papers they review. A significant 76 per cent agreed to signing their names, 11 per cent refused, and 13 per cent failed to respond. Signed reviews were of a higher quality, were more courteous, but took longer to complete than unsigned reviews. Reviewers who signed their names were more likely to recommend publication. The study supported the feasibility of an open peer-review system. Some journals have started printing the names of reviewers. The British Medical Journal (BMJ), for instance, decided to discontinue anonymous peer reviews in 1999 (New Atlantis, 2006). Open peer review allows for greater transparency and accountability. The current usual model is pre-publication peer review. It is also possible to take the somewhat bolder step of publishing papers immediately and then conducting the review in the open afterwards (post-publication peer review). Some online journals have taken to using ‘transparent’ peer review where the reviewing process is visible as it takes place online. A more dynamic approach allows for reviews and comments to be posted at any time. A further question arises as to whether the identity of the author should be disclosed to the reviewers. A double-blind review lies at the other end of the spectrum from open peer review. While there might be some hypothetical advantages in masking the identity of the author, reviewers familiar with their fields will usually be able to know immediately who has written the paper under consideration.


Truth and error in scientific publishing The nineteenth-century physicist Waterston, his classic paper on molecular velocity having been rejected by the Royal Society as ‘nothing but nonsense’, became hopelessly discouraged and left science altogether. Deeply disappointed by the lack of response to his historic papers on heredity, Mendel refused to publish the now permanently lost results of his further research and, after becoming abbot of his monastery, gave up his research on heredity. Robert Mayer, tormented by refusals to grant him priority for the principle of conservation of energy, tried a suicide leap from a third-story window and succeeded only in breaking his legs and being straitjacketed, for a time, in an asylum. In 1842, Mayer came up with the theory of conservation of energy, and wrote an article explaining his idea that ‘energy is neither created nor destroyed’. It was rejected by the leading physics journal of the time, ended up in an obscure chemistry journal, and was mostly ignored by physicists. When the physicists of the time rallied around Joule, who described conservation of energy later in the 1840s, Mayer suffered a mental breakdown. Towards the end of his life, he was finally given credit as a father of thermodynamics. Clearly, the consequences of poor peer review can be extremely serious.

Some recent examples of errors not detected by reviewers One of the fundamental equations used in the modelling of the electrical characteristics of DC arc furnaces is one by Ben Bowman that describes the shape of the arc. This very important equation for modelling plasma arcs appears twice in the literature – wrongly! The first (correct) equation shown in Figure 10 describes the shape of the conducting volume of the arc as a function of the distance from the cathode attachment spot. The assumptions include an axi-symmetric arc and no interaction effects at the anode. This equation is incorrectly printed in Bowman (1994), and again but with a different error in Bowman and Krßger (2009), but has been corrected here by examining the form of the equation that properly fits the figure in the original reference. One can only speculate as to the cause of these errors. Either the reviewers have hastily skipped over the equations, assuming them to be correct, or typesetters (not understanding the meaning of the equations) have introduced errors that were not checked before printing.

Another example, one that cannot be blamed on typesetters, occurs in a paper that describes the calculated activity coefficient of liquid cobalt oxide (CoO) in slag as a function of temperature and oxygen partial pressure. This relationship was presented as the equation shown in Figure 11. Fortunately, there was also a graphical depiction of the data in the paper. For example, at a temperature of 1400ÂşC (1673 K), and with a value of B = 1.15, the graph shows a value for CoO of around 10, which is quite reasonable. However, the equation produces a result for CoO of about 96 000 000, which is clearly spurious. My communication with the author led to the following admission: ‘You are right. This equation is not correct. I made a serious mistake. Please never use this equation.’

Errata Very often, errata are published in journals a few months after the initial publication of the paper, sometimes in small print, or somewhere out of the way. In these cases, there is no obvious way of linking the correction to the original publication. Electronic publishing allows this link to be made in a much more robust manner, by allowing errata to be linked to the original papers. A very simple solution is to publish the erratum as an additional page together with the original paper on the journal’s website. This simple practical step can be expected to improve the current situation where errors tend to be propagated from one paper to the next, sometimes with additional mutations. Rekdal (2014) tells a fascinating tale about a story entitled ‘Spinach, iron and Popeye: Ironic lessons from biochemistry and history on the importance of healthy eating, healthy scepticism and adequate citation’. The myth about the iron content of spinach was embellished through quotation of secondary sources that were anything but authoritative. It would have been very helpful to have been able to append corrections to the various articles that formed part of the chain of this tangled but very readable story.

Tests of the peer-review process There have been numerous experiments that put the peer review process to the test. Some of these tests involved hoaxes that have become well known in their own right. In a noteworthy 1998 study, Fiona Godlee, editor of the prestigious British Medical Journal, sent an article containing eight deliberate mistakes in study design, analysis, and interpretation to more than 200 of the BMJ’s regular reviewers. Not one picked out all the mistakes. On average, they reported fewer than two; some did not spot any. (Economist, 2013)

Sokal Hoax In 1996, Alan Sokal (Professor of Physics at New York University) published a hoax article in Social Text, a leading North American journal of postmodern cultural studies. It

Figure 10—Bowman's equation for arc shape (correct version; 1994 version; 2009 version)

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Figure 11—Incorrect equation for activity coefficient of CoO


Truth and error in scientific publishing

Figure 12—Alan Sokal

Bohannon An extensive hoax to test the peer review process was carried out by John Bohannon, a biologist at Harvard, who also works as a journalist for Science. Between January and August 2013, Bohannon submitted, to 304 supposedly peerreviewed journals, numerous almost-identical pseudonymous fake papers (obviously and seriously flawed) on the effects of a chemical derived from lichen on cancer cells. The paper’s template was ‘Molecule X from lichen species Y inhibits the growth of cancer cell Z’. The listed authors and their affiliations were unique and fake. It was quite disappointing to find that 157 journals accepted, and 98 rejected the paper. Some accepting journals were managed by major publishers (Elsevier, for example), but predatory paid open-access journals fared the worst. An article (Bohannon, 2013) entitled ‘Who’s afraid of peer review?’ was published in Science on 4 October 2013. Bohannon’s study was seriously flawed, especially with regard to how journals were chosen, but made quite an impact.

Measurements of scientific output by citation indexing In order to improve the quality of published science, it is necessary to have some systems of measurement of the reach of publications. This gives rise to the question of what constitutes a good paper. Essentially, the subject matter should be of interest or importance to at least some readers; the content should be communicated clearly and logically; and some papers should communicate new knowledge that is worth being referenced by other authors. The ‘value’ of a paper is a difficult thing to define, let alone to measure, but that has not stopped people from trying. The simplest measure of the worth of a paper is the number of citations it receives. There are numerous publishing organizations that keep track of the references published in a wide range of journals. Probably the best known are the Thomson Reuters Journal Citation Reports and Scopus. Much of the pioneering work done in 1955 by Eugene Garfield set the scene for citation indexing. Computers had become available, and it became practicable to get lists of publications, and lists of all of the citations (references at the end of each article), and to link them together, and derive some interesting statistics from the links. Of course, there are many ways of ranking the scientific output of a researcher. Probably the crudest one, used in years gone by, was simply the number of publications. Unfortunately, this incentivizes people to break down their papers into ‘least publishable units’ instead of more sensible groupings of material. The ‘journal impact factor’ was something else that Garfield worked on, and this too has its flaws. A more sophisticated approach is to let the worth of a paper be indicated by the number of citations it receives from the author’s peers. By this measure, the number of citations indicates the worth of a researcher. Again, this is too crude a measure. If, for example, someone is a co-author on a very highly cited paper, this can skew the impression of worth. So, the number of publications on its own is clearly not enough. Even the average number of citations per paper does not VOLUME 115

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was entitled ‘Transgressing the Boundaries: Towards a Transformative Hermeneutics of Quantum Gravity’ (Sokal, 1996a). He wanted to test the journal’s intellectual rigour and to see if it would publish an article that was liberally salted with nonsense, but sounded good, and flattered the editors’ ideological preconceptions. The paper proposed ideas such as ‘quantum gravity is a social and linguistic construct’. The hoax sparked a debate about the scholarly merit of humanistic commentary about the physical sciences; the influence of postmodern philosophy on social disciplines in general; academic ethics, including whether Sokal was wrong to deceive the editors and readers of Social Text; and whether Social Text had exercised appropriate intellectual rigour. This is not primarily what Sokal was trying to achieve; he was trying to make the point that postmodern relativism is an inadequate response to science. Sokal maintains that it is almost impossible to function in the world without some functional sense of truth. On the day of the publication of the article in Social Text in May 1996, Sokal revealed in Lingua Franca (Sokal, 1996b) that the article was a hoax, identifying it as ’a pastiche of left-wing cant, fawning references, grandiose quotations, and outright nonsense ... structured around the silliest quotations [by postmodernist academics] [he] could find about mathematics and physics.’ A later book called Intellectual Impostures (Sokal and Bricmont, 1998) provided further details of nonsensical writing invoking science by postmodern philosophers and other literary figures. The editors of Social Text thought the manuscript argued that quantum physics, properly understood, dovetails with postmodern philosophy. In fact, Sokal booby-trapped the piece with deliberate mistakes, as he later revealed; he sought to publish it to expose the various intellectual and political weaknesses in Social Text and those it represents. Sokal’s work is somewhat reminiscent of the ‘two cultures’ outlined by C.P. Snow, who proprosed knowing the second law of thermodynamics as a test of scientific literacy for the humanist, adding that it was ‘about the scientific equivalent of: Have you read a work of Shakespeare’s?’ (Snow, 1964). It is necessary to have knowledge of both the sciences and humanities if one is truly to try to understand the world.


Truth and error in scientific publishing remove the possibility of distortion by one very important paper. Possibly the most widely used measure attempts to combine the number of publications and the number of citations in a single number, a measure that will be discussed in a subsequent section. When Eugene Garfield introduced the concept of a citation index for the sciences in 1955, he emphasized its several advantages over traditional subject indexing. As a citation index records the references in each article indexed, a search can proceed from a known work of interest to more recently published items that cited that work. Moreover, a search in a citation index, either forward in time or backward through cited references, is both highly efficient and productive because it relies upon the informed judgments of researchers themselves, reflected in the references appended to their papers, rather than the choices of indexing terms by cataloguers who are less familiar with the content of each publication than are the authors. Although it took many years before the Science Citation Index (now the Web of Science) was fully accepted by librarians and the research community, the power of the idea and the utility of its implementation could not be denied (King and Pendlebury, 2013). Thomson Scientific’s Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) has three citation databases: the Science Citation Index, the Social Science Citation Index, and the Arts and Humanities Citation Index. By 2015, there were 45 million documents indexed in the Web of Science.

Journal impact factor The significance of a journal is widely measured by its ‘impact factor’. This represents the average number of times that each article is cited in a year (averaged over two years). Eugene Garfield first introduced the concept of a ‘journal impact factor’ in 1955, when he was director of the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) – now part of Thomson Reuters, an information-services company based in New York. It can be inferred from estimates of the number of journal papers published (BjĂśrk et al., 2009) that about 70 per cent of refereed scientific journal papers are indexed, even though less than 39 per cent of refereed journals are indexed (which means that more than 15 000 refereed journals are not indexed). The journal impact factor is defined as the ratio of the number of citations in the current year to the items published in the previous two years] to [the total number of articles published in the same two years]. For example, JIF (2014) = [number of citations in 2014 to articles published in

2012 and 2013] / [total number of articles published in 2012 and 2013]. This number is meant to give a sense of how many citations are received, on average, by the typical paper published in that particular journal. The journal impact factor cannot be used meaningfully to compare journals in different fields. For example, biological journals receive orders of magnitude more citations than those in engineering. The journal impact factor is widely criticised for use as a lazy proxy for the quality of a particular paper. If you want to know what the quality of a particular paper is, then read it and judge it on its own merits. The intrinsic merit of a paper is much more important than where it is published. The relevance and quality of a paper are much more important than the impact factor of the journal in which it is published. Because authors are driven to chase the recognition that supposedly comes from publishing in highly ranked journals, this can lead to some serious problems. Publications in highranking journals are not only more likely to be fraudulent than articles in lower ranking journals, but also more likely to present discoveries which are less reliable (i.e., are inflated, or cannot subsequently be replicated). Some of the sociological mechanisms behind these correlations have been well documented, such as pressure to publish (preferably positive results in high-ranking journals), which leads to the potential for decreased ethical standards. (Brembs et al., 2013). Critics of the status quo object to evaluating research on the basis of where it is published. The shorthand way to do this is by the journal impact factor — an index now kept by Thomson Reuters. In December 2012, hundreds of scientific leaders, funding bodies, journals (including Science, but not Nature) and other organizations gathered in San Francisco to sign the Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which criticizes reliance on the impact factor and commits signatories to evaluate research on the basis of its scientific merit. It is important to stimulate a scientific culture and implement policy measures that shift the competition from quantity to quality - that is, to stimulate individual researchers to reduce the quantity and increase the quality of their output so that a larger fraction of the published literature is worth reading. In South Africa, a large source of university income accrues from a government subsidy received from the Department of Higher Education and Training for academic publications in what it calls accredited journals. In 2011, for instance, the government allocated R2.2 billion to universities for their research outputs. For each article that appears in one of these journals the department remits about R120 000 to the university at which the academic author is employed (Thomas, 2015). This means that academics are pressurised to publish prolifically and to increase their subsidy income. The unintended consequence of this subsidy system is that it encourages an unnecessary proliferation of papers.

The h-index The prominence of a particular author can be gauged to some extent by the number of his or her publications that are cited many times. One of the most widely used measures of scientific influence today is the so-called ‘h-index’, which reduces this influence to a single number. The index was

Figure 13—Eugene Garfield

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Truth and error in scientific publishing proposed in 2005 by Jorge E. Hirsch, a physics professor at the University of California, San Diego (Hirsch, 2005). The h-index takes into account both the number of citations and the number of papers that an author has to his/her name. The measure of impact and the quantity of scientific output are expressed as a single number, h, that stands for Hirsch or highly cited. Hirsch defines the h-index as the maximum number of an author's papers that have been cited at least h times. For example, having an h-index of 13 means that the author has 13 papers that have each been referenced 13 or more times. This avoids difficulties where the total number of papers does not indicate the quality of scientific publications, whereas citation counts can be disproportionately affected by a single publication of major influence. The index is a useful comparison between authors within a specific subject area. Care should be taken not to compare a young scientist with someone at the end of a long career, as the h-index increases over time. People with a high h-index tend to be older and well established in their fields. However, on a like-for-like basis, it is a good measure of productivity. In order to determine an author's h-index, a curve can be plotted of the number of citations versus paper number, with papers numbered in order of decreasing citations (Hirsch, 2005). The intersection of the 45° line with the curve indicates the h value, as shown in Figure 15. Google Scholar is able to generate h-index values for any published scientist. For example, Albert Einstein was listed as having an h-index of 105 (Google Scholar, 2015). This means that he has 105 publications that have been cited 105 times or more.

Google and PageRank The Google search engine ranks the importance of a document in a search according to the networked importance of the pages that link to it. If a paper is referred (linked) to by an ‘important’ paper (or page on a website), then some of that importance is conferred on the paper to which it is linked. This iterative networked calculation forms the heart of the extremely effective search engine that millions of people around the world rely on. The PageRank algorithm (Page et al., 1998; Brin and Page, 1998) was developed by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, the founders of Google. PageRank (named after Page) was influenced by Eugene Garfield’s work on citation analysis at the University of Pennsylvania from the 1950s. In their original paper (Page et al., 1998), Garfield is referenced. Page’s and Brin’s breakthrough was to create an algorithm that manages to take into account both the number of links into a particular site and the number of links into each of the linking sites. This mirrored the rough approach of academic citationcounting, and worked exceptionally well.

Benford’s Law Benford’s Law is an interesting and useful mathematical technique that can be used in the detection of fraudulent data in scientific publications (as well as for investigations of accounting fraud). It provides a fascinating insight into the patterns around the first (leftmost) digit of a series of numbers. Simon Newcomb, a Canadian mathematician, noticed that, when using his book of log tables, the earlier pages (which contained numbers that start with 1) were much more worn than the other pages. He documented some of the implications of this discovery in 1881 in a paper entitled ‘Note on the Frequency of Use of the Different Digits in Natural Numbers’ (Newcomb, 1881). The physicist Frank Benford rediscovered this observation in 1938 and published an article called ‘The Law of Anomalous Numbers’ (Benford, 1938). As yet another example of Stigler’s Law, this curious pattern is named Benford’s Law. Benford’s Law is perhaps best illustrated by means of an example. Imagine having a list of randomly occurring measurements, for example, the altitude (in metres) of the 122 000 most highly populated towns in the world. It is easy to imagine that the leftmost digit of each number would be evenly distributed between the numerals 1–9, which results

Figure 14—Jorge Hirsch

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Figure 15—Calculation of the h-index


Truth and error in scientific publishing in an even frequency distribution of about 11 per cent each. This is not the case in reality, however. Even more intriguing is the fact that the distribution remains approximately the same even if the units are changed from metres, to feet, or to cubits (where 1 cubit = 523 mm), as shown in Figure 17 (DataGenetics, 2013). The numeral 1 is much more prevalent as the first digit of many lists of numbers, and there is a decreasing frequency of the remaining digits 2–9. It has been found that this same pattern applies to a wide variety of data sets, including stock market volume, distances to stars, electricity bills, street addresses, stock prices, population numbers, death rates, lengths of rivers, physical and mathematical constants, and Fibonacci numbers. They all follow this pattern of having the first digit being governed by a logarithmic distribution. Benford’s Law applies to processes described by power laws (which are very common in nature). It is likely to be best satisfied to a high level of accuracy when values span several orders of magnitude rather uniformly (for example, populations of villages / towns / cities, or stock-market prices). On the other hand, a distribution that is mostly or entirely within one order of magnitude (for example, heights of human adults, or IQ scores) is unlikely to satisfy Benford’s Law very accurately, or at all. Where the distribution of first digits of a data set is scale-invariant (or independent of the units that the data are expressed in), the distribution of first digits is always given by Benford’s Law. Benford’s Law is very useful in the detection of fraudulent data, because most perpetrators of fraud are not aware of this peculiar pattern so they typically create an even distribution of first digits in their concocted data. The underlying premise of Benford's Law is that the subject population of quantities, expressed in the base 10 and more or less arbitrary units, is fairly evenly distributed on a logarithmic scale. Benford’s formula states that the probability of the leading digit (d) being of a certain value can be described by the following function:

This simplifies to:

A good visual explanation for the derivation of these equations can be found elsewhere (DataGenetics, 2013). One helpful picture is to imagine a plant growing where it doubles in size every week. To go from length 1.0 to 2.0 it would have to increase by 100% (and would have a value that begins with 1 for a whole week), but to go from 2.0 to 3.0 it would need to grow only 50% (and so would have a value that starts with 2 for much less time), and so on. This follows a logarithmic scale. Series of data that are made up by multiplication (multiplicative fluctuations) tend to be well described by Benford’s Law. More technically, the central limit theorem says that multiplying more and more random variables will create a lognormal distribution with larger and larger variance, so eventually it covers many orders of magnitude almost uniformly. However, series of data that are generated by addition (additive fluctuations) do not lead to Benford’s Law – instead they lead to normal probability distributions (again by the central limit theorem), which do not satisfy Benford’s Law. Some well-known infinite integer sequences provably satisfy Benford’s Law exactly (in the asymptotic limit as more and more terms of the sequence are included). Among these are the Fibonacci numbers. This allows us to close the circle of the story by saying that the advent of computers and electronic publishing, and computers and mathematics, all come together to help us, we hope, to find better ways of getting closer and closer to the truth.

Conclusions Scientific publishing remains alive and well, despite some problems and challenges. The publication of about two million scientific papers per year is a very important component of the advancement of our understanding of the truth about the world in which we live. Electronic communications technology provides some wonderful opportunities to improve the way we communicate scientific results more openly. The approaches outlined here should help us to get closer to the truth. We would do well to remember, in discussions about subjects such as anthropogenic climate change or the benefits of a lowcarbohydrate diet, some of the principles espoused here.

Acknowledgements This paper is published with the permission of Mintek. Helpful discussions with Paul den Hoed and some early ideas from Sarah Jones are gratefully acknowledged.

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Proceedings, 118th Annual General Meeting, 2015

The 118th Annual General Meeting of The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy was held at The Country Club, Johannesburg, Napier Road, Auckland Park on Thursday, 13 August 2015.

Welcome The President, Jim Porter, extended a special welcome to the guests and representatives of our sister institutes and other associations, and also to recipients of awards, senior members of industry, Honorary Life Fellows, pastPresidents, our members, and other guests, among them the following: Geological Society of South Africa, Jeanette McGill, President Mine Ventilation Society of South Africa, Len de Villiers, President South African Institution of Chemical Engineers, Dawie van Vuuren, President South African Institute of Electrical Engineers, Andre Hoffman, President South African Women in Mining, Melody Kweba, President

Members James Dudley Bethel

Retired Members Wilhelm Bouver Howe In memory of the deceased and in sympathy with the bereaved, all rose and observed a moment of silence.

Honorary Fellowship Alastair Macfarlane: Honorary Life Fellowship is awarded by the Council to Corporate members of the Institute who have rendered outstanding service to the Institute over many years. It is my pleasure to announce that the Council has decided to award Honorary Fellowship to: ÂŽ Oskar Steffen, for his outstanding leadership of the SAIMM over many years. Oskar is also a recipient of the Brigadier Stokes Memorial Award ÂŽ Matthew Handley, for his outstanding contribution and continued support on the Publications Committee within the SAIMM.

Brigadier Stokes Memorial Award John Austin Richard Beck John Cruise Roger Dixon Henry James Gys Landman Joshua Ngoma

Rod Pickering Don Ross-Watt Gordon Smith Dick Stacey Oskar Steffen Willem van Niekerk

Minutes The minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting, which were published in the September 2014 issue of the Journal, and sent to all members, were confirmed.

Obituaries The President announced the deaths, during the year, of the following members:

Honorary Life Fellows Sandor Budavari, Joseph Lurie

Fellows Richard Graham, Michael Kilroe Charles Roberts, Andrew Simon Wood

Retired Fellows Brian Moore

Jim Porter: The Brigadier Stokes Memorial Award was instituted in 1980 to commemorate the outstanding contribution to the South African mining industry made by Brigadier R.S.G. Stokes, an Honorary Life Fellow and pastPresident of this Institute. This is the premier award of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and is made to an individual for the very highest achievement in the South African mining and metallurgical industry. It gives me great pleasure to announce that the award for 2015 is to be made to Sipho Abednego Nkosi. Jim Porter called upon Mzila Mthenjane, to read the citation: Sipho Nkosi has made an exceptional contribution to the South African mining industry, covering a broad spectrum of arenas that continue to benefit the growth, development, and transformation of the country. Sipho was born in northern KwaZulu-Natal in 1954 and his tertiary studies took place during the tumultuous sociopolitical landscape governing the country in the 1970s and 1980s. He overcame challenges to nevertheless complete his studies and begin a career that enabled him to gain a depth of experience in the energy and coal sectors both locally and internationally. He harnessed this experience to make a significant contribution to transformation in the mining industry, which began with the formation of Eyesizwe Coal in 1998. VOLUME 115

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Past-Presidents attending


Proceedings, 118th Annual General Meeting, 2015 Eyesizwe was the forerunner to the creation of Exxaro Resources in 2006, which is now widely regarded as a model of black economic empowerment (BEE) and transformation across all sectors in the country and a ‘champion of transformation’ in the mining industry. The formation of Exxaro involved one of South Africa’s largest BEE transactions, when Kumba Resources was unbundled and its non-iron ore assets merged with those of Eyesizwe. Kumba was then re-listed on the JSE as Exxaro Resources Limited. ‘When we formed Exxaro, our vision was to create a truly South African, truly empowered company that could empower others in a way that set new standards for transformation in the country,’ Sipho has previously been quoted as saying. The company is today a major South African-based diversified resources company and the second largest coal producer in the country. Just over 52% of Exxaro is owned by formerly disadvantaged and broad-based South Africans in the form of BEE Holdco, 10% is held by Anglo American plc, while the remainder is held by minorities, including employees through the MPower scheme, which is in its second phase. What distinguishes Exxaro from many other empowerment companies is that its BEE shareholders are also involved in the management of the company at executive and board level. ‘Exxaro enables historically disadvantaged people to be part of the mainstream economy.’ In his role as the leader of Exxaro, serving as chief executive officer since 2007, Sipho has overseen a meaningful distribution of wealth to a range of previously disadvantaged South Africans. Since Exxaro’s formation in 2006 more than R6.6 billion has been paid in dividends to shareholders and nearly R1 billion has been returned to over 9 000 participants in the company employee share scheme. In 2014 alone, the company invested more than R230 million in community development, social and labour plans, and discretionary donations. In the same year, R7.7 billion was spent with HDSA-owned suppliers. Sipho is a strong supporter of the government’s National Development Plan and through his company, contributions are made to the development of infrastructure in areas surrounding operations, most significantly in Lephalale, Limpopo province, where major water, housing, and road developments have taken place. Job creation is also provided through Exxaro’s employment of some 7 500 people and the same number of contractors. Sipho is a proponent of skills development: ‘We believe that empowering our people will help grow the company and the nation. I am proud that we are one of the industry’s leading trainers. Annually we invest more than 5% of our payroll on training and people development.’ An active bursary and learnership programme is run with more than 3 000 young people having enrolled in Exxaro learnerships and the company accounting for a sizeable portion of all engineering learnerships registered with the Mining Qualifications Authority. Sipho has contributed broadly to the mining industry by serving as president of the Chamber of Mines of South Africa in 2008-2010 and on the Executive Council of the Chamber

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since November 2006. Previously he served as Chairman of the Chamber’s Collieries Committee. His leadership style—embracing an inclusive, consultative, and unassuming approach—has stood him in good stead both within his company and beyond. This, together with the well-known charisma and humour, have enabled him to build an extensive network of relationships throughout business, political, and community circles. Sipho plays an instrumental role as a thought leader in the industry where he offers counsel and advice to peers and others. He is oft-quoted in the media on industry issues and regularly presents at local and international industry and investment conferences. Sipho is passionate about youth development, and on a personal level, is a role model to younger people—providing guidance and mentorship. He is widely acknowledged for his entrepreneurial skills and business leadership. In 2012 he was the South African winner in the Master Entrepreneur Category of the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Awards, which was followed by him representing South Africa at the global awards held in Monte Carlo the following year. In 2013 he received the Tienie Louw Award for business leadership at the Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut’s National Congress. Sipho holds the following degrees: BComm (University of Zululand), BComm (Hons)(Econ) (Unisa), MBA (University of Massachusetts, Boston), Diploma in Marketing Management (Unisa), Advanced Management Programme (University of Oxford). In March 2015 it was announced that Sipho will retire as CEO of Exxaro on 31 March 2016. He is married to Nondili and has three children. Alastair Macfarlane called upon Sipho Nkosi to come forward to collect his award from Jim Porter. He then gave a short acceptance speech.

Presentation of awards, medals, and certificates Alastair Macfarlane: announced the following awards, medals, and certificates, which were presented by Jim Porter.

50-year Membership Awards (with effect from 1 July 1964 to 30 June 1965)

ÂŽ ÂŽ ÂŽ ÂŽ

John Douglas Austin Anthony Simon Malone Kalman Imre Oravecz Anthony William John Hancock.

The Danie Krige Memorial Award The Danie Krige Memorial Award was instituted in 2013 to honour the memory of Professor Danie Krige, who was one of South Africa’s most influential mining engineers and a geo-statistician of international repute. The Danie Krige Memorial Award is considered for the best geostatistical paper published in the SAIMM Journal between January and December 2014. M.Z. Abzalov for his paper published in the March 2014 issue of the Journal entitled ‘Localized uniform conditioning (LUC): Method and application case studies’.

Gold and Silver Medals Papers published in the Journal from March 2014 to


Proceedings, 118th Annual General Meeting, 2015 February 2015 by members of the Institute were considered for medals.

Gold Medals Gold medals are awarded for papers that are of a world-class standard, and judged to be publications that will become key references in their mining or metallurgy field in the future. No gold medals were awarded this year.

Silver Medals Silver medals are awarded for papers that make a major contribution to the professions of mining and metallurgy and to the prestige of the Institute. Silver Medals were awarded to: J. Wesseloo, for his paper published in the October 2014 issue of the Journal entitled ‘Evaluation of the spatial variation of b-value’.

Outotec Postgraduate Scholarships for students conducting research in the area of sustainable mineral processing. The scholarships were awarded to: Alex Opitz

(University of Cape Town): The development of an integrated approach for ARD prediction from waste rock. Pierre Albertyn (University of Stellenbosch): The recovery of precious metals from waste PCBs with ammonium thiosulphate—effect of copper feed impurities.

Annual Report Jim Porter presented the Annual Report with highlights of his year as President.

Accounts

G.F. Esterhuizen, for his paper published in the October 2014 issue of the Journal entitled ‘Extending empirical evidence through numerical modelling in rock engineering design’.

The Honorary Treasurer, Cuthbert Musingwini, presented the financial statements, which are reproduced in the Annual Report in this edition of the Journal.

V. Yahorava, for his paper published in the May 2014 issue of the Journal entitled ‘Evaluation of different adsorbents for copper removal from cobalt electrolyte’.

Office bearers and Members of Council for 2015/2016

Presentation of Student Prizes Alastair Macfarlane announced the student winners of the SAIMM Prestige Prize and Jim Porter presented the awards to the students adjudged by their departments to be the best final-year students in 2014.

University of the Witwatersrand Mining Metallurgy

Prianka Padayachee Marinki Maria Malatse

University of Pretoria Mining

Kara Lombard

University of Johannesburg Mining Metallurgy

Omphemetse Princess Khunou Cedric Maleka

The following SAIMM student prizes were presented at the Western Cape Branch AGM on 6 August 2015.

University of Cape Town Best final-year student Mineral Processing

Darryl Brown

University of Stellenbosch Best final-year student Mineral Processing

Adriaan Henning

Cape Peninsula University of Technology Best final-year student Mineral Processing

James Brassell

In addition, the Western Cape Branch also awarded two

President President-elect Senior vice-President Junior vice-President Immediate past-President Honorary Treasurer

Rodney Jones Cuthbert Musingwini Selo Ndlovu Alastair Macfarlane Jim Porter Cuthbert Musingwini

In terms of the election of ordinary members of Council (Clause 3.2.7 of the Constitution and By-law B2.1), there were fourteen vacancies and the following members are now declared elected (in alphabetical order): Zelmia Botha Vaughn Duke Isabel Geldenhuys Matthew Handley William Joughin Molefi Motuku Donovan Munro

Godknows Njowa Andrew Smith Michael Solomon Joalet Steenkamp Mpho Tlala David Tudor Dirk van Niekerk

In terms of By-law F1.7 of the Constitution, the chairpersons of the branches are as follows: Botswana DRC Johannesburg Namibia Northern Cape Pretoria Western Cape Zambia Zimbabwe Zululand

Len Dimbungu Susa Maleba Ian Ashmole Nikowa Namate Cedrick van Wyk Pierre Bredell Aubrey Mainza Darius Muma Stephen Ndiyamba Christo Mienie

These chairpersons will be ex-officio members of Council. During the last year, your Council approved the establishment VOLUME 115

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M. Kotze, and D. Auerswald, co-authors and non-members of the Institute, received certificates.

Jim Porter announced the office bearers for the ensuing year, elected by the retiring Council in accordance with Clauses 3.5, 5.1, and 5.2 of the Constitution:


Proceedings, 118th Annual General Meeting, 2015 of a Young Professionals Council (YPC) to serve the needs of our members who are 35 years and younger to make the SAIMM more relevant and to ensure that we are in touch with the changing needs of our younger members. In terms of By-law I, Clause 4.4.6 the YPC must consist of a minimum of 13 and a maximum of 18 members who are 35 years of age and younger. We received the required number of nominations and did not have to conduct a formal voting process. The office bearers of the YPC are: Chairman Vice Chairman Treasurer Secretary

Tshepo Mmola Nirvashnie Bagirathi Sihe Nhleko Vulani Maseko

The following past-Presidents have signified their willingness to serve on Council for the ensuing year: Nic Barcza Gys Landman Richard Beck Joshua Ngoma John Cruise Rams Ramokgopa Roger Dixon Mike Rogers Marek Dworzanowski Gordon Smith Frank Egerton Willem van Niekerk Henry James Jim Porter thanked those past-Presidents who indicated that they cannot serve on Council for the next year for all their time, effort, and dedication in the past. He also thanked past-Presidents for their continued support. He congratulated all those elected, and thanked those who agreed to serve another term of office.

Election of auditors and honorary legal advisers for 2015/2016 Jim Porter proposed, and it was agreed, that R.H. Kitching be reappointed as Auditor for the coming year and that Van Hulsteyn, Attorneys, be reappointed as honorary legal advisers.

The top 5 proposers: Elias Matinde Wence Kutekwatekwa Shepherd Gaihai Rodney Jones Darius Muma and Joalet Steenkamp (share fifth place). The Top 5 referees: Matthew Handley Thomas Stacey Marek Dworzanowski Richard Minnitt Johan de Korte The author who has published the most papers in the Journal: Guven Akdogan Thank you to these members for their continued support of the SAIMM.

Induction of President Jim Porter introduced the new President, Rodney Jones, and then called upon Alastair Macfarlane to read his curriculum vitae.

Presidential Address Rodney Jones then presented his Presidential Address entitled: Truth and Error in Scientific Publishing, which is reproduced elsewhere in this edition of the Journal.

Vote of thanks Cuthbert Musingwini, gave the vote of thanks.

Closure The meeting closed at 19:22.

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GENERAL SAIMM 5 Star Incentive Programme The SAIMM is introducing an incentive programme for Fellows, Members, and Associates. Cuthbert Musingwini, who has been driving this initiative, was called upon to tell us more. Cuthbert mentions the benefits: The Top 5 proposers, the Top 5 referees, and the author who has submitted the most number of papers for publication in the Journal will receive a free ticket to the SAIMM Annual Banquet as well as mention at the AGM. Members will also receive access to discounts offered by a number of service providers. Two of them are present this evening, and you are invited to meet them after the proceeding to find out more about the exciting offers they have available. Another benefit will be for members who attend three conferences within a 2-year period, who will be entitled to attend their fourth conference at no cost.

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Proceedings, 118th Annual General Meeting, 2015 Honorary Life Fellowship Awards

Alastair Macfarlane announcing the award winners Oskar Steffen, receiving his Honorary Life Fellowship award from Jim Porter

Brigadier Stokes Award

Sipho Nkosi, recipient of the Brigadier Stokes Award, receiving his Platinum Medal from Jim Porter

50-year Membership Award

John Austin, receiving his 50-year Membership lapel badge

Matthew Handley, receiving his Honorary Life Fellowship award from Jim Porter

Danie Krige Memorial Award

Dick Minnitt accepting the Danie Krige Memorial Award on behalf of M.Z. Abzalov

Silver Medal Award winners

Volha Yahorava receiving her Silver Medal Award, Marthie Kotze, and Derrin Auerswald received certificates for their paper that was published in the Journal VOLUME 115

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Gerhard Keyter accepting the Silver Medal Award, for J. Wesseloo whose paper was published in the Journal


Proceedings, 118th Annual General Meeting, 2015

Student Prizes

Prianka Padayachee receiving her Student prize

Marinki Malatse receiving her Student prize

Omphemetse Khunou receiving her Student prize

Kara Lombard receiving her Student prize

Cedric Maleka receiving his Student prize

Cuthbert Musingwini mentions the benefits of the SAIMM 5 Star Incentive Programme Carl Bergmann accepting his gift from Cuthbert for the competition held promoting the SAIMM 5 Star Incentive Programme

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Alastair Macfarlane presenting Jim Porter with his Presidential plaque


Proceedings, 118th Annual General Meeting, 2015

Office Bearers for 2015/2016

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Office Bearers for 2015/2016—Front row (from left to right): Selo Ndlovu, Cuthbert Musingwini, Rodney Jones, Mzila Mthenjane and Sam Moolla (Manager) Back row (from left to right): Alastair Macfarlane and Jim Porter


Proceedings, 118th Annual General Meeting, 2015

Council members and Past Presidents of the SAIMM

Front row (from left to right): Joalet Steenkamp, Selo Ndlovu, Cuthbert Musingwini, Rodney Jones, Mzila Mthenjane, Joshua Ngoma, Gordon Smith Back row (from left to right): Darius Muma, Vaughn Duke, Godknows Njowa, Dirk van Niekerk, Alastair Macfarlane, Jim Porter, Matthew Handley, John Cruise, Richard Beck, Henry James, Mpho Tlala

Past Presidents of the SAIMM

Past Presidents serving on council—Front row (from left to right): Gys Landman (2010–2011), Jim Porter (2014–2015), Henry James (1985–1986), John Austin (1984–1985), Richard Beck (1991–1992), John Cruise (1994–1995), Gordon Smith (2012–2013), Back row (from left to right): Don Ross-Watt (1995–1996), Oskar Steffen (1989–1990), Rod Pickering (2007–2008), Dick Stacey (2003–2004), Joshua Ngoma (2009–2010)

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Proceedings, 118th Annual General Meeting, 2015

Members and their guests at the cocktail party

Dick Stacey and John Austin Daniel Limpitlaw, Joshua Ngoma, Simon Grimbeeck, and Mzila Mthenjane

Huw Phillips and Mike Woodhall

Markus Erwee, Quinn Reynolds, Pierre Bredell, and Paul den Hoed

Lloyd Nelson and Ian Ralston

Danie Jensen and Tshepo Mmola

Mike McWha and Alan McKenzie

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Nkhume Tshiongo-Magwe and Mark Cresswell

Matthew Handley, Phil Piper, and Gerhard Keyter


Proceedings, 118th Annual General Meeting, 2015

Students

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Annual report FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015

President J.L. Porter President-elect R.T. Jones Vice-Presidents Senior C. Musingwini

Junior S. Ndlovu

Immediate Past-President M. Dworzanowski

Honorary Treasurer C. Musingwini

Members of Council N.A. Barcza R.D. Beck F.T. Cawooda J.A. Cruise J.R. Dixon V.G. Duke F.M.G. Egerton M.F. Handley G.V.R. Landman A.S. Macfarlane R.P. Mohring M. Motuku M. Mthenjane D.D. Munro J.C. Ngoma aObserver bObserver

G. Njowa T. Pegram S.J. Ramokgopa M.H. Rogers S. Rupprecht N. Searle A.G. Smith G.L. Smith M.H. Solomon H.J. Tluczekb D. Tudor J.N. van der Merwe D.J. van Niekerk W.H. van Niekerk

SSC SANCOT

Branch Chairmen Botswana DRC Branch Johannesburg Branch Namibian Branch Northern Cape Pretoria Branch Western Cape Branch Zambian Branch Zimbabwean Branch Zululand Branch

L.E. Dimbungu S. Maleba I. Ashmole N.M. Namate C.A. van Wyk N. Naude C. Dorfling D. Muma S. Ndiyamba C.W. Mienie

Past-Presidents serving on Council N.A. Barcza R.D. Beck J.A. Cruise J.R. Dixon F.M.G. Egerton G.V.R. Landman R.P. Mohring

J.C. Ngoma S.J. Ramokgopa M.H. Rogers G.L. Smith J.N. van der Merwe W.H. van Niekerk

Key objectives of the Institute To initiate and give effect to the means whereby the requirement for technology and scientific knowledge of the minerals and metals section of the southern African economy is satisfied; and to represent and promote the interests of its members.

Arrangement of this Report In accordance with the current management policy, this report on the activities of the Institute is presented under eight main headings: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Interests of Individual Members Technical Meetings Publications Regional Development Engineering Science and Technology in South Africa State Liaison International Liaison Management and Administration.

1. Interests of Individual Members Portfolio Holder: J.L. Porter From the perspective of growth in membership, the Institute had one of the more successful years in its 121-year history. As at the end of the 2015 year, total membership across all categories stood at 4793, representing a growth of some 12.3 per cent year-on-year. Of this number, 3 886 are based in South Africa. We continue to see strong growth in our more established country branches in Zimbabwe and Zambia, with a steady increase in membership in the newer branches in Namibia, the DRC, and Botswana that now have a combined non-South African membership of 536. It is with great delight that we are able to report that, through the efforts of our newly appointed Regional Development Manager, student membership is now just under 25 per cent of total membership (Table I). This is enormously significant for the longer term sustainability of the Institute. We are, at last, in sight of our strategic target of 5 000 members across all categories. Among the highlights of the year was the formal establishment of the Botswana Branch and the election of a Branch Committee. From meetings with local government officials in Botswana as well as a number of other country branches, it is clear that these SAIMM initiatives are closely watched. For this reason, the path that the SAIMM has embarked upon for regional growth is now cast in stone. If we deviate from this course and fail to follow through with creating sustainable country branches, the Institute will suffer significant reputational damage. For this reason, the SAIMM Council continues to support the investment in the Regional Development Manager role. This is seen as fundamental to support, coaching, and transfer of the Institute’s knowledge to our country branches. In particular, our newly established VOLUME 115

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Council for 2014/2015


Annual report Table I

South African membership analysis and annual growth Grade

Number of Members 2015

Number of Member 2014

% growth

Fellows Life Fellows Honorary Fellows Honorary Life Fellows Retired Fellows Members Life Member Retired Member Associates Retired Associates Company Affiliates Students

297 3 1 32 117 1309 1 87 924 8 121 986

315 4 1 32 105 1154 1 82 990 9 126 638

-6% -25% 0% 0% 11% 13% 0% 6% -7% -11% -4% 55%

Totals

3 886

3 457

12.4%

Northern Cape Branch has been adversely affected by the downturn in the mining industry and will need support over the next year or two. The successful growth in membership runs counter to the overall sentiment in the mining industry, where discretionary spending on conference attendance and professional membership has been dramatically reduced. This has had a significant impact on our members, more of whom are now having to find the funds themselves to maintain their membership, as opposed to their employers subsidizing them. How the SAIMM responds to this change in the next year will be essential to the success of this portfolio. It is now appropriate for the SAIMM to curtail its short-term plan of establishing new branches. For economic and tactical reasons, we now have to focus on bedding down the successes of the last two to three years in the region and make sure that each of our country branches is able to plan and host at least one successful international conference per annum. However, we continue to monitor developments in other countries of the SADC region where we have members: fifteen in Tanzania, four in Lesotho, four in Mozambique, and two in Swaziland. West Africa has a membership of four, with two members in Nigeria and two in Mali. Table II and Figure 1 indicate the growth trends in membership. We currently have the highest number of paying

members that have ever been registered with the SAIMM. However, the prevailing high levels of employment uncertainty in the professional disciplines continue to impact on our ability to collect all of our membership fees. This has two consequences. The first is that we continue to maintain a programme to support those members who have fallen on hard economic times but who wish to participate in and contribute to the SAIMM. The second is that there are many members who are simply are lost to the southern African industry through movement to other employment sectors or emigration. Unfortunately, many of these people lose contact with the SAIMM and so have to be struck off our membership list. We call on all of our current members to assist the Secretariat in maintaining contact with this latter category of people. In addition to the above, the Membership Committee has completed the following tasks in the year under review: ÂŽ Re-designing the application form to make it easier to apply for membership ÂŽ Making membership application forms available online ÂŽ Re-defining membership benefits in conjunction with our sister institutes around the world to ensure that reciprocity is more visible and effective ÂŽ Implementing the revised by-laws relating to membership

Table II

Total southern African membership analysis for the past 7 years Membership grade

Jul 09

Honorary Life Fellow Honorary Fellow Life Fellow Fellow Retired Fellow Life Member Member Retired Member Associate Retired Associate Student Company Affiliate Total

37 4 10 426 137 1 901 99 821 12 1033 143 3624

Jul 10

Jul 11

37 34 4 3 9 9 423 420 134 137 1 1 946 1075 98 97 977 1148 13 13 972 380 128 132 3742 3449

Jul 12

Jul 13

Jul 14

Jul 15

36 3 7 421 130 1 1169 99 1146 13 549 126 3700

54 2 7 429 125 1 1334 92 1132 13 672 123 3984

53 2 7 434 123 1 1584 94 1173 12 754 128 4365

53 1 7 412 140 1 1702 96 1176 12 1069 124 4793

Figure 1—Membership growth over the past 7 years

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Annual report

The Membership Committee is also working on new initiatives for the year ahead: ÂŽ Reviewing again the definitions of our membership categories to ensure that we are accurately reflecting the changes taking place in industry ÂŽ Re-design of the SAIMM website to further improve application and payment efficiency ÂŽ Rolling out the brand new 5 Star Incentive Programme for members ÂŽ Recognizing our new Fellows at the annual banquet ÂŽ Ongoing encouragement of members to join ECSA and benefit from the reduction in fees ÂŽ Creating an electronic membership archive to ensure easier access and prevent loss of documentation ÂŽ Linking our Young Professionals Council with the student member database so that we can maintain continuity of this important class of member as they progress through their early careers. There is no doubt that the twin objectives of membership growth and improved fee collection are going to be real challenges for the 2016 year. Membership and conference fees are maintained well within inflation parameters to ensure that our members continue to get value for their hard-earned cash. The 5 Star Incentive Programme represents a new initiative to recognize those members that actively support their Institute Members will receive the following benefits: ÂŽ Top 5 Proposers for the current financial year are to be given a free ticket to the SAIMM Annual Banquet with mention at the Annual General Meeting ÂŽ Top 5 Referees for the financial year are to be given a free ticket to the SAIMM Annual Banquet with mention at the Annual General Meeting ÂŽ Access to discounts offered by Service providers that have negotiated discounted rates and special offers for you our valued member. ÂŽ Conference attendance within a 2 year period and applies to events that are paid for. If you attend 3 events you get the next conference that you register for at no cost. ÂŽ The author with the most number of papers published in the SAIMM Journal in the previous financial year would be recognised at the Annual General Meeting and will receive a free ticket to the SAIMM Annual Banquet I would also like to congratulate the Membership Team in the SAIMM office for dealing with the heavy workload during the year and their incredibly proactive efforts to resolve membership fee collections, as well as keeping track of a very mobile membership. I look forward to working with this team and addressing the challenges in the year ahead.

1.1 Membership Committee J.L. Porter, Chairperson N.A. Barcza R.D. Beck J.A. Cruise J.R. Dixon

M.H. Rogers D.A.J. Ross-Watt G.L. Smith T.R. Stacey

G.V.R. Landman R.P. Mohring J.C. Ngoma R.G.B. Pickering S.J. Ramokgopa

O.K.H. Steffen J.N. van der Merwe D.J. van Niekerk M. Woodhall

Membership The SAIMM membership comprises engineers, metallurgists, chemists, physicists, geologists, certificated managers, and technikon diplomates, and other disciplines, all of whom have an interest in the fields of mining, extractive metallurgy, metals technology, and other related areas.

Requirements for Corporate membership HONORARY LIFE FELLOW: An Honorary Life Fellow shall be a person whom the Institute specifically desires to honour in consideration of services rendered to the Institute, to science, or to industry. Honorary Life Fellows shall have all the privileges of Corporate Members. Ž The election of an Honorary Life Fellow shall take place at a Council meeting, due notice having been given at the preceding Council meeting of Council’s intention to nominate a person as an Honorary Life Fellow. The election shall require the majority vote of Corporate Members of Council present at a Council meeting Ž The election of an Honorary Life Fellow shall be announced at the following Annual General Meeting of the Institute Ž An Honorary Life Fellow will have all membership fees and subscriptions waived. FELLOW: A candidate for admission to or transfer into the category of Fellow shall: Ž Be at least 35 (thirty-five) years of age Ž Have, for a period of at least 5 (five) years, been practising in a senior technical position in mining or metallurgical undertakings, or in governmental, educational, or research organizations concerned with those industries, or Ž Have, for a period of at least 5 (five) years, been practising as a consultant in the skills of mining and metallurgy, and Ž Be practising his/her profession at the time of application, satisfy Council that he/she is a fit and proper person to become a Fellow, and Council shall be satisfied that his/her qualifications, training, and technical experience justify such professional status, and Ž Have been a Member of good standing for 5 (five) years and have promoted the interests of the SAIMM through: – Serving on committee structures, and/or – Publishing in the SAIMM Journal or conference proceedings, and/or – By other means acceptable to Council. MEMBER: A candidate for admission to or transfer into the category of Member shall: Ž Be at least 25 (twenty-five) years of age Ž Have, for a period of at least 2 (two) years, been practising in a responsible or senior technical position in minerals and metals industry undertakings or in governmental, service, educational, or research organizations concerned with those industries, or VOLUME 115

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ÂŽ Actively focusing on upgrading members to higher grades of membership ÂŽ Encouraging members to join ECSA and benefit from the reduction in fees.


Annual report Table I

Summary of new applications and membership movements for 2014/2015 and comparison of membership grades and total membership 2014/2015 Members July 2014

Membership grade

Honorary Life Fellow Honorary Fellow Life Fellow

New members

Transfers in

Transfers out

Reinstatements

Resignations

Deceased

Struck off

Net gain/ (loss)

Members June 2015

53

0

3

0

0

0

-3

0

0

53

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

2

7

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

7

Fellow

434

0

9

-18

0

-4

-3

-6

-22

412

Retired Fellow

123

0

17

-1

1

0

-1

0

16

139

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

1 584

117

30

-11

31

-17

0

-32

118

1 702

94

0

3

0

0

0

-1

0

2

96

1 173

114

21

-31

2

-14

0

-89

3

1 176

12

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

12

Student

754

706

1

-21

1

0

0

-372

315

1069

Company Affiliate

128

3

0

0

0

-1

0

-6

-4

124

4365

940

84

-82

35

-36

-8

-505

428

4 793

Life Member Member Retired Member Associate Retired Associate

Total

ÂŽ Have, for a period of at least 2 (two) years, been practising as a consultant in the minerals and metals industries, and ÂŽ Be practising his/her profession at the time of his/her application, satisfy Council that he/she is a fit and proper person to become a Member, and Council shall be satisfied that his/her qualification, training, and technical experience justifies such professional status.

ÂŽ ÂŽ ÂŽ

Requirements for Non-corporate membership COMPANY AFFILIATE: Companies involved in or associated with the mining and metallurgical industries are eligible for admission to the category of Company Affiliate. HONORARY FELLOW: Honorary Fellows shall be persons of distinction in public service, science, or the arts and shall be elected or re-elected by Council for the current year. They shall enjoy all the privileges and rights of members, except those of holding office and voting. ASSOCIATE: A candidate for admission into the category of Associate shall: ÂŽ Be at least 18 (eighteen) years of age, and ÂŽ Be involved in minerals and metals industry undertakings or in governmental, service, educational, or research organizations concerned with those industries, but not meet requirements to be registered as a Corporate Member ÂŽ Satisfy Council that he/she is a fit and proper person to become an Associate Member. STUDENT: A candidate for admission into the category of Student shall: ÂŽ Be a person, in the third or further year of being educated or trained in a manner approved by Council to

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ÂŽ

occupy a technical position or associated with the minerals or metals industries Satisfy Council that he/she is a fit and proper person to become a Student Member Remain a Student Member only while he/she is being educated in a manner approved by Council Confirm their membership at the beginning of each academic year by submitting proof of registration at their applicable tertiary institution. Failure to submit proof of registration will result in termination of membership Not remain a Student Member after the end of the Institute’s financial year in which he/she attains the age of 28 (twenty-eight) years. Council may relax the provisions of this clause in such cases as it considers appropriate.

Membership roll Members of the Institute are divided into Corporate and NonCorporate Members, all of whom are entitled to attend and speak at meetings. Only Corporate Members are entitled to vote. All applications for membership or transfer require one proposer and one seconder. RESIGNATION: A Member may resign from the Institute by sending his or her written resignation to the Secretary together with payment of any monies due. RETIRED MEMBERSHIP: A Fellow or Member who has bona fide retired from active business may retain membership at a reduced subscription providing he or she has been a member for 20 years. Members can contact the Secretary to establish the number of years of service prior to submitting a written request for Retired Membership to the Institute.


Annual report

CHANGE OF DETAILS: It is essential that members contact the Institute without delay about change in designation, change in employer, payment address, or change in postal address. Without this the communication link to members is broken. Also, members must ensure that, where subscriptions are paid by a company, the Institute has on record the correct payment address.

Benefits of membership Individuals derive various benefits from membership of the Institute: Ž Contact with fellow members Ž Special reduced fees when attending congresses, symposia, colloquia, conferences, schools, discussion groups, etc. Ž Notices of events promoting technology transfer, which also satisfy the need for continuing education Ž A monthly Journal with a balanced content and of high technical standard, which serves as a communication medium to keep members informed on matters relating to their professional interests Ž Participation in technical excursions, banquets, and other social events, which create further opportunities for professional association and fellowship Ž Tax deduction of membership fees in most cases Ž Reduced registration fees for professional registration through the Engineering Council of South Africa. Companies that become Members of the Institute Ž Benefit from the opportunities to exchange knowledge, particularly about new developments and research Ž Receive the Institute’s publications of international conferences held in South Africa, as well as monographs on a variety of subjects and regular copies of the monthly Journal Ž Are entitled to send two non-member employees to mining and metallurgical schools, colloquia, congresses, visits, and excursions at Member rates Ž Receive newsletters and notices about all Institute activities Ž Benefit from the fact that Company Affiliateship is tax deductible Ž Have ample opportunity to send delegates to attend technical meetings to obtain information and to benefit from the experience of others.

1.2 Young Professionals’ Council (incorporating the Career Guidance and Education Committee) T. Mmola, Chairperson N.G.C. Blackham* R. Blunden A.W. Dougall* V.G. Duke* D.M. Gama J. Janse van Vuuren M. Khorombi, D.E.P. Klenam P.J. Knottenbelt* G.V.R. Landman* E.S. Links J.A. Luckmann* P.J.K. Leeuw* G. Mahlong T.K. Makomane

M. Mafiri V.G. Maseko K. Mmoloke T.D. Mokoena T.T. Moraba M.S. Motlhabane S. Ndlovu* L. Nene** A.S. Nhleko K. Ramasia S.M. Rupprecht* C. Setuke A.G. Smith* I.R. Wermuth* L. Zombene

*Career Guidance and Education Committee members ** SANCOT Observer

On 12 September 2014, the Career Guidance and Education (CGE) Committee held a workshop with the primary objective of convening an interim council of young professionals to: Ž Establish and entrench a Youth Council to represent the interests of SAIMM members 35 years of age and younger Ž Set up the rules for the functioning of the Youth Council (similar to the SAIMM Council, but subordinate) Ž Draft suitable terms of reference for the Youth Council for approval Ž Prepare an election process for members to serve on the Youth Council. In this regard, the interim council and the CGE committee have been exceedingly successful. The establishment of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Young Professionals’ Council (SAIMM-YPC) and the rules for the functioning of the SAIMM-YPC (By-law I – Young Professionals’ Council) have been approved by Council (16 January 2015). The election process for the 2015/2016 YPC commenced in March 2015 and will conclude in July 2015. The SAIMM-YPC has been involved in activities that were previously organized by the CGE Committee. The SAIMM-YPC presented at the Engineering Focus Week that took place on 4– 8 May 2015 at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre. A Career Development in the Minerals Industry event is being organized for 31 of July 2015 as a follow-up to the 2013 career guidance event. The SAIMM-YPC has also joined the organizing committee of the Young Professionals’ Conference to be held from 21–22 October 2015. Participation in these activities has been an important process in the transfer of know-how from the CGE Committee to the SAIMM-YPC. Several programmes to address the various challenges faced by young professionals in mining and metallurgy are still in the early stages of development. The YPC has decided to revisit the Mentorship Programme, as mentorship remains an important part of the development of young professionals. The YPC has also involved itself in the fundraising and marketing efforts of the Scholarship Trust Fund. Going forward, the SAIMM–YPC focus will engage with the mining industry to VOLUME 115

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STUDENTS: A candidate may remain a Student Member only while he or she is being educated or trained in a manner approved by the Council. When he or she no longer qualifies as a Student Member, he or she shall automatically be transferred to the category of Associate. Students are reminded to forward a copy of their degree certificates to the Institute on graduation. A candidate may not remain a Student Member after the end of the Institute’s financial year in which he or she attains the age of twenty-eight years, unless the Institute receives written confirmation from the university or technikon that the Student Member is still a full-time student.


Annual report support young professionals in mining and metallurgy. In this regard, the SAIMM-YPC has identified three focus areas – Education, Career Guidance, and Enterprise. Overcoming challenges such as getting time off work and travelling long distances to attend meetings, the members of the interim council have shown remarkable commitment, energy, and eagerness to provide active leadership and bring about positive influence in the mining industry. Their efforts and that of the CGE Committee in ensuring the sustained longterm success of the younger members of the Institute, and ensuring that the SAIMM–YPC becomes an integral part of the Institute, is acknowledged.

1.3 Promotion of the SAIMM Portfolio holder: J.L. Porter The year has been characterized by the usual highs and lows in terms of our efforts to grow the reach of the Institute geographically as well as building greater relevance to industry and offering value to our members. The latter aspect is critical. After 121 years of successful existence, our institutional environment is changing faster than ever before. My message here is that we have to be more proactive. The status quo is no longer acceptable if we are to maintain our relevance and continue to offer value to our membership. As a result of deep structural changes in the Southern Africa mining industry in recent years, the SAIMM has been reviewing how it operates as an Institute and addressed the following question: ‘What do we need to do to adapt to changing circumstances?’ For example, several of the larger mining groups have reduced the numbers of staff employed in their corporate offices, with some capacity moving to other sectors and geographies. This has resulted in lower attendance at conferences. Swings in commodity prices and ageing mining assets have curtailed operating budgets and capital expenditure, resulting in individuals, rather than their employers, paying their own membership fees. At the same time, many new junior and mid-tier mining companies have entered our region, and our membership demographics have we also changed significantly. Employment opportunities for our young professionals are under extreme pressure. Key actions undertaken by the SAIMM to respond to the above in recent years include: Ž The change from ‘South’ to ‘Southern’ in our name Ž Re-writing our by-laws to bring them in line and to create organizational flexibility Ž Implementation of the two-tiered Complaints and Ethics Committees Ž The establishment of new branches throughout the region Ž The creation of the Young Professionals Council (YPC) Ž The appointment of a Regional Development role within the SAIMM office Ž Support of the Mining Dialogue 360 initiative. The last five points are highlights of the year under review, but could not have been actioned without the first two being already in place. Furthermore, the SAIMM is financially secure for the present; we now have ten formally established branches; we are running in excess of 25 per cent of our membership in the Student category; our YPC is already adding value in terms of its guidance to Office Bearers and Council. These are all by design, are highlights, and represent some of

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the achievements in this and recent years. They are, however, not sufficient when viewed against the backdrop of a depressed global mining industry and some significant regional challenges that impact on the operation of the Institute. The promotion of the SAIMM going forward will require Council to consider additional tactics by which the Institute can engage with new role-players in the industry, leverage our growing regional footprint, and continue to support the career development of our young professionals.

Professional Associations During the past year the SAIMM has maintained dialogue and collaboration with associated organisations, specifically the: ÂŽ ÂŽ ÂŽ ÂŽ ÂŽ ÂŽ ÂŽ ÂŽ

Association of Mine Managers of South Africa (AMMSA) South African Colliery Managers Association (SACMA) Southern African Coal Processing Society (SACPS) Mine Metallurgical Managers Association (MMMA) Institute of Mine Surveyors of South Africa (IMSSA) Mine Ventilation Society of South Africa (MVSSA; Fossil Fuel Foundation (FFF) Geological Society of South Africa (GSSA).

The Global Minerals Professionals Alliance (GMPA) between the SAIMM, the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), and the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME) continues to explore ways to improve collaboration, and the SAIMM participates fully in regional meetings. One of the initiatives is the Global Mining Standards and Guidelines Group (GMSG). As this is a structure that requires some technical delivery capability, the SAIMM has established a relationship with the Centre for Mechanised Mining Systems at the University of the Witwatersrand, which will manage future projects in the GMSG on behalf of the SAIMM.

Management and Office Administratioon In recent years the SAIMM had moved away from monthly Council meetings to a one meeting per quarter schedule, which also included all of the Branch Chairmen (four Council meetings plus the AGM). This was one of the responses to the changing circumstances/pressures on corporate members, who give their time on a voluntary basis. However, during the past year the pace of change and the number of initiatives being actioned by the Institute resulted in slow delivery and gaps in communication and follow-up, as there was insufficient time devoted to discussion by Council. This was resolved by introducing two additional Council meetings to discuss a limited agenda. This situation will be monitored in the year ahead. Attendance at all Council meetings has been excellent with all-round participation in the deliberations. The various committees of the SAIMM have performed well during the year, as is reflected elsewhere in this report. Of the active Council members, Office Bearers, management, and staff, the SAIMM now has approximately a 45% representation from those members of our population that were previously excluded from such participation. The collective effort of the 17 dedicated staff members is acknowledged, with each person contributing in their own way to the overall success of the SAIMM. We specifically acknowledge staff members who have received long service awards during the year:


Annual report Anna Panana (25 years) Dawn van der Walt (17 years) Apathia Sello (15 years) Zuliakha Malgas.

We give them our heartfelt thanks for their loyal and valuable service.

Finance and Accounts This topic is covered fully in the Treasurer’s Report. However, it is important to note that at the beginning of the year, Council made a clear decision to maintain expenditure and momentum on all projects and events. It was fully recognized that revenues would be under pressure due to the downturn in commodity prices, but the accumulated invested funds of approximately R30 million were in place for just such a situation. It was necessary to draw down funds from both the AFC (investment) account as well as the short-term call account to manage cash flows during the year and fund the operating loss of R1.4 million. Notwithstanding this operating loss, our fair value investments gained a further R2.2 million and we managed a very small surplus for the year of R13 000. At the last Council meeting the budget for the 2015/16 financial year was approved but with clear guidelines from Council that should revenues continue to be under pressure there would have to be a review. This will be monitored by Council on a quarterly basis. A key initiative that moved forward during the year was the implementation of the Pastel accounting package in the Western Cape Branch. The Western Cape Branch is the pilot for how we would want all of the SAIMM branches to be structured and managed financially in the long term. Financial sustainability through membership numbers and core regional conferences are the indicators that trigger when and how we continue to implement the financial management, accounting, and treasury systems. The Investment sub-committee was tasked by Council to: 1. Independently assess the quality of the current investment and effectiveness of the managed investment account 2. Independently determine if there are other investment instruments that could be employed by the SAIMM 3. Make recommendations on the way forward. We are able to report that an independent investment advisor confirmed that: Ž AFC is a well-managed investment account with higher than average returns. However, the risk profile of the investments was not optimized and Council mandated the President to adjust the investment mandate to AFC accordingly Ž It was determined that fixed property is an additional and viable investment instrument that warranted further investigation Ž Council has re-appointed a new Investment Committee with a mandate to investigate the viability of the SAIMM investing in fixed property.

Technical Programme: Conferencing The conferencing department hosted some 16 events during the period August 2014 to July 2015. SAIMM events were hosted throughout the southern African sub-region with delegates from across the globe. However, attendances have been

increasingly erratic, resulting in five planned conferences being cancelled with losses in excess of R50 000. With some international conferencing requiring over R1 million in upfront funding, it is clear that the short-term financial risks are becoming unacceptable. For this reason, Council has mandated that insurance be taken out to cover losses in the event of conference cancellation. In addition, the President called for a joint workshop between the two Technical Programme Committees (TPCs) and Council members. The objective was to review performance and consider ways of changing the function of the TPCs to better reflect the economic and operational circumstances in the southern African mining industry. A follow-up session has been scheduled for September 2015. Despite the economic circumstances, the SAIMM continued to receive invaluable support from industry partners in terms of conference sponsorship and participation, and we would like to place on record our gratitude to them.

Publications The Journal continued to be published monthly, although there were delays again in deliveries due to ongoing postal strikes. The Journal includes the President’s Corner by the Institute’s current President, Jim Porter, and the Journal Comment, to which there have been various contributions over the past 12 months. The quality of published papers continues to be of a high standard, and contributions from SAIMM conference and authors world-wide continue in significant numbers. There was no gold medal award for the best published paper this year. The open access system for electronic communication and the retrieval of information is functioning well and the SAIMM is served by the OneMine system (www.onemine.org), the African Journal Archive (www.ajarchive.org), and SciELO SA (www.scielo.org.za). The SAIMM began publishing a newsletter during the year. The objective is to create a medium through which more informal information about people and events can be communicated to membership. This is also available on the website and through other electronic media.

Membership The SAIMM began the financial year with 4 365 members and ended with 4 793, a gain of 428. There has been a 7 per cent growth in full members, and a remarkable growth of 42 per cent in student memberships. This is a direct result of the activities of the Regional Development Manager and a successful conclusion to the first year of activities in this task. The Membership Committee continues to function well with many initiatives in hand. One of the key strategies in this regard is the link between the Committee and the work of the Young Professionals Council. In the year ahead, the tools for keeping contact with young professionals as they embark on their first five years in industry are to be developed. Furthermore, an overhaul of our Company Affiliate database and the SAIMM offering to industry is required. At this AGM we will be launching the SAIMM 5 Star Incentive Programme. This has been in gestation for at least three years. It is aimed at recognizing the contributions of Fellows and Members to the technical and professional activities of the Institute. Each member of the SAIMM who wished to participate in this initiative will be issued with an Incentive membership card. VOLUME 115

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Annual report Strategy The future of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy has been dependent on meaningful regional expansion for several years. It is now time for consolidation and a focus on creating sustainability in the branches as well as on marketing to industry so that they, as well as our new members, are aware of what the SAIMM has to offer. Developing and maintaining this plan will be the basis of the Regional Development Manager’s activities for the next year. The 2015 strategy review was held on 28 July. This is a critically important session that facilitates the hand-over from the outgoing to the incoming President and Council. It has now become a fixture in the SAIMM calendar.

Conclusion In my first contribution to the President’s Corner in the Journal last year, I closed the article with the following short paragraph: ‘As I have pointed out in my Presidential address, the challenges are severe and the need for action acute. Now is not the time for insular thinking, it is time for greater levels of collaborative thinking and investment than at any time in our mining history. The speed with which we are able to find the collaborative structures and make changes to the mining process in hard rock mines will be the measure of success.’ As members of the SAIMM it is no longer good enough for us to sit on the sidelines and lament over the current difficulties. I invite our members to submit constructive suggestions to the SAIMM on what YOU believe we should be doing to contribute as a role-player in the mining industry. What can we do to move the issues forward and contribute to activities such as the Mining Laboratory? Is it through the Mining Dialogues 360 initiative or other vehicles still to be defined? We have many highly knowledgeable and experienced members in our ranks who would like to find a way to be engaged. Let us hear your thoughts, ideas and suggestions.

1.4 Awards and Adjudication Committees Awards and Adjudication Committee—Mining

1923 1930 1931 1932 1934

1938 1941 1943 1946

1951 1953 1954 1955 1958 1960

1961 1966 1970 1974

1975 1976 1978 1979 1980

M.H. Rogers, Chairman J.R. Dixon F.M.G. Egerton M.F. Handley R.G.B. Pickering

G.L. Smith T.R. Stacey D. Tudor

Awards and Adjudication Committee—Metallurgy D. Tudor, Chairman R.D. Beck A.M. Garbers-Craig

R.T. Jones R.L. Paul

Honorary Life Fellows Honorary Life Fellowship is awarded by Council to Corporate Members of the Institute who have rendered outstanding service to the industry or to the Institute over a considerable period. Council has conferred Honorary Life Fellowship on the following persons: Pre– 1923

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1982 1983 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996

A.F. Crosse J. Littleton J. Moir H.A. White P. Cazalet A. Whitby J.R. Thurlow Wm. Cullen W.R. Feldtmann E.H. Johnson G. Melvill S. Newton J. Henderson Sir R.N. KotzĂŠ J. van N. Door C.J. Gray Jas Gray J.V. Muller John Orr W.W. Mein P.E. Hall C. Biccard Jeppe P.N. Lategan R.A.H. Flugge-de-Smidt G. Hildick-Smith A.J. Orenstein H.J. van Eck C.S. McLean F.G. Hill H.E. Cross R.C.J. Goode R.J. Adamson W. Bleloch H. Britten M. Barcza J. de V. Lambrechts D.G. Maxwell J.K.E. Douglas D.D. Howat J.P. Hugo Hon. S.P. Botha Hon. P.G.J. Koornhof A. Louw M.G. Atmore C.S. MacPhail P.R. Jochens D.G. Malan D.G. Krige A.N. Brown J.D. Austin R.P. King P.A. von Wielligh S. Budavari L.W.P. van den Bosch H. Wagner J. Lurie No award B.C. Alberts R.D. Beck P.R. Janisch R.J. Dippenaar J.S. Freer

J.P. Williams

J.A. Wilkenson

A. McArthur Johnston G.H. Stanley F.W. Watson

T.K. Prentice R.S.G. Stokes S.J. Truscott G.A. Watermeyer J.A. Woodburn B. St. J. van der Riet

A.J. Walton F. Wartenweiler

F. Meyer D.M. Jamieson C.J. Irving J.F. Reid J.T. McIntyre A.R.O. Williams V.C. Robinson P.W.J. van Rensburg R.P. Plewman R.E. Robinson

M.D.G. Salamon G.Y. Nisbet D.A. Viljoen

G.T. van Rooyen

H.E. James H.G. Mosenthal


Annual report

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

J.A. Cruise D.A.J. Ross-Watt No award N.A. Barcza R.P. Mohring M.H. Rogers L.A. Cramer C.T. O’Connor A.A.B. Douglas No award F.A. Camisani-Calzolari T.R. Stacey No award E.U.H. Sachse I. Walton R.T. Jones No award No award No award G.V.R. Landman A.S. Macfarlane O.K.H. Steffen

J.R. Dixon D.J. van Niekerk R.F. Sandenbergh J.H. Selby P.J. Knottenbelt

SAIMM 50 Year Club The Institute established the 50 Year Club in 1989 to recognize the faithful and loyal support of its senior members with 50 years’ unbroken membership. They become members of the club on the 50th anniversary of their joining the Institute. Their names are published each year in the Annual Report and they are presented with a gold lapel badge on a suitable occasion. There are no fees, and the only obligation of members is to wear their lapel badges with pride and affection at all meetings of the Institute. The present members of the club are as follows:

R.G.B. Pickering M.F. Handley

Brigadier Stokes Memorial Award The Brigadier Stokes Memorial Award, which takes the form of a platinum medal, is awarded to an individual for the very highest achievement in the South African mining and metallurgical industry, and is not necessarily based on technical expertise. The Award was established in 1980, and the previous recipients were as follows: 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

2010 C. O’Connor 2011 B.C. Alberts 2012 R.P. Mohring 2013 H.R. Phillips 2014 R.M. Godsell This year the award is made to S.A. Nkosi for his outstanding contribution to the industry over many years.

H.F. Oppenheimer W. Bleloch F.G. Hill A.W. Whillier (posthumously) D.G. Krige R.E. Robinson M.D.G. Salamon T.F. Muller W.J. (Wim) de Villiers R.A. Plumbridge W.G. Boustred P. du P. Kruger E. Pavitt D.A. Pretorius H. Wagner O.K.H. Steffen B.E. Hersov D.W. Horsfall (posthumously) B.P. Gilbertson L. Boyd A.H. Mokken T.L. Gibbs J. Ogilvie Thompson P.V. Cox H.J. Smith P. Motsepe G.T. van Rooyen D.H. Laubscher T.R. Stacey C.J. Fauconnier

Year to June

Member

1924 1926 1927 1930

E.C. Polkinghorne* R.M. Martin* W. Allen* E.T. Dunstan* (posthumously) P.L. Ward* F. Bowdler* J.E. Laschinger* F.D. Cartwright* E.R.C. O’Connor* C.H. Coxon* B.M. Roberts* J. Levin* A.A. von Maltitz* D.D. McWilliam* T. Waterman* A.C.M. Cornish-Bowden* J.W.V. Mortleman* H.E. Cross* K. Rood* E.F. Laschinger* A. Siff* E. Margo O. Weiss* O.B. Swallow* O. Deane* A.H. Mokken* T.L. Gibbs* H.L. Munro* R.C.J. Goode* R.M.F. Seawright* F.G. Hill* A.C. Pigott* D.M. Jamieson* J.S. van Zijl* D.J. Rogers* L. Walter* W. Bleloch* J.J. Klein* L.A. Bushell* C.D. Storrar K.W. Findlay* V.C. Barnes* C.A. McKechnie* E.T.S. Brown* J.A. Nixon R.S. Cooke* E. Popplewell* J.K.E. Douglas C.G. Sowry* A.L.A. Forder* E.W. Thiel* G. Armstrong-Smith* R.S. Pearson* D.E.R. Ayres* D.C.J. Squirrell* E.H.D. Carman R.F.J. Teichmann* W.G.H. Jackson* I.S. van Eyssen* T.A. Newman S.J. Venning* L.D.C. Bok* G.D. Gettliffe* A.W.L. Brereton* G.G. Stanley* A.H.H. Davison* D. de V. Oxford* D.J. Forder E. Pavitt A.R.C. Fowler* A.C. Petersen*

1931 1932 1933

1934

1935 1936

1937

1938

1939

1940 1941

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Annual report

1942

1943 1944

1945 1946 1947

1948

1949

1950

1951

1952

1953

1954 1955

1956

1957

1958 1959

1960

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H.F.W. Ketelbey* J.D. McNamara* T.F. Muller* R.E. Burnton* R.C. Espley-Jones* N.M. Hayne* R.T. NaudĂŠ* D.J. Molony* J.D. McMorran* A.F. Dick R.B. MacGillivray* L.J. Prince* J.F. Reid* J.L. Curtis* E.T. Pinkney* W.I. Spence G.H. Grange W.B. Howe J. Marr-Levin C.J. Parr* D.F. Foster M.H. Grusd* P.A. Laxen* G.Y. Nisbet G.P. Bennett* J.F. Curtis* O. Davel D.F. Grieve B.E. Hersov D.G. Maxwell D.G. Krige* B.H.L. Leach M.J. Martinson W.D. Ortlepp* A.N. Brown M.J. Deats W. Lurie* N. Martincevic B.G. Fordyce G. Langton* A.A. Sealey R.C. Bertram R.A.O. Chelius* S.P. Ellis C.T. Fenton G.A. Brown D.R. Chelius M.F. Dawson L.M. Falcon K. Babich J.J. Blom R. Campbell J.F. Dear* R.H. Swan H.E.K Allen D.C. Brink G.D. Louw R. Hemp G. Joynt B. Moore R.E. Robinson C. Roper

E.R. Rudolph* P.W.J. van Rensburg* O.L. Papendorf* V.O. Steed J.E. van Leeuwen* W.C. Walmsley* R.P. Plewman* V.M. Reinecke* A.S. Swartz A.H. Taute* P.B. Weehuizen* K.E. Steele*

1961

W.B. Evans R.A. Featherstone I.R.H. Forrest J.S. Freer B.W. Holtshousen S.I. Du Preez P.J. Heystek L. Anderson H.K.R. Cahnbley G.C. Clatworthy R.E.F. Cowley J.A.J. De Cuyper J. Douglas K. Imre

1962 1963

1964

G.S. Lee B.J. Love P.J. Muller G.J.C. Young W.J.G. Young E. Schmid J.N. Gallie J.J. Geldenhuys T.J. Kotze A.H. Munro A.G. Netto A.W. John A. Simon

* Deceased since becoming members of the Club

J.D. Pollard V.C. Robinson* A.N. Shand* G.R. Still J. Pope* N.A. Stacey J.A. Tyser J.P. Hugo D.A. Immelman

The Danie Krige Memorial Award Following discussions at Office Bearers and Council during 2013 it was agreed to honour the memory and contribution to the minerals industry made by the late Prof. Danie Krige. It was agreed, amongst other activities, to make an annual award of a Danie Krige medal for a qualifying geostatistics paper published in the SAIMM Journal of the previous year. The recipient of the award for 2015 is Dr M.Z. Abzalov.

Gold and Silver Medals R.P. Plasket* V.C. Ward

Papers published in the Journal from March 2014 to February 2015 by members of the Institute were considered for medals.

N.C. Pope W.T. Ruhmer T. Zadkin*

Gold Medals

E.P. Mortimer D.J. Murphy H.J. Stucke* R.G. Williams G.D. Tainton J. Uys* N. Zolezzi R.B.W. Wiggill G.R. Parker W.B. Parker M.A. Madeyski* D. Rankin G.C. Thompson A.M. Edwards R.C. More O’Ferrall N.C. Officer B.S. Tatterson P.J. van der Walt H.A.G. Slater G.T. Van Rooyen C.T. Shaw L.W.P. van den Bosch* H. von Rahden M. Wishart

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Gold medals are awarded for papers that are of a world-class standard, and judged to be publications that will become key references in their mining or metallurgical field in the future. No medals were awarded. Silver Medals Silver medals are awarded for papers that make a major contribution to the professions of mining and metallurgy and to the prestige of the Institute. Silver Medal were awarded to: J. Wesseloo for his paper published in the October 2014 issue of the Journal entitled ‘Evaluation of the spatial variation of b-value’. G.F. Esterhuizen for his paper published in the October 2014 issue of the Journal entitled ‘Extending empirical evidence through numerical modelling in rock engineering design’. V. Yahorava, for his paper published in the May 2014 issue of the Journal entitled ‘Evaluation of different adsorbents for copper removal from cobalt eletrolyte’.

Student Prizes Prizes were awarded to the following students and were presented at faculty prizegiving ceremonies held at the respective universities. The prize winners were as follows:

University of the Witwatersrand Mining Engineering Metallurgical Engineering

P. Padayachee M.M. Maltse


Annual report University of Pretoria Mining Engineering

K. Lombard

University of Johannesburg Mining Engineering Metallurgical Engineering

O.P. Khunou C.M. Maleka

University of Cape Town Mineral Processing

D. Brown

managers who will contribute to maintaining and growing the industry so that it continues to be a productive part of South Africa’s economy. Members are reminded that contributions to the Trust Fund are tax-deductible and can be made online to the Trust Fund’s bank account, (SAIMM Trust Fund, FNB, branch code 251705, account number 62227511286). We look forward to your continued support.

1.6 Banquet Committee

University of Stellenbosch Mineral Processing

A. Henning

Cape Peninsula University of Technology Mineral Processing

J. Brassell

The prizes for the universities of Cape Town and Stellenbosch and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology were awarded at the Western Cape Branch Annual General Meeting on 5 August 2015. In addition, the Western Cape Branch also award two Outotec Postgraduate Scholarships for students conducting research in the area of sustainable mineral processing. These scholarships were awarded to: Ž Alex Opitz (University of Cape Town)The Development of an Integrated Approach for ARD prediction from waste rock Ž Pierre Albertyn (University of Stellenbosch) The Recovery of Precious Metals from Waste PCBs with Ammonium Thiosulphate – Effect of Copper Feed Impurities.

M. Dworzanowski R.T. Jones C. Musingwini

S. Ndlovu J.L. Porte

The 2015 banquet was held in the Ballroom at the Sandton Convention Centre, and this will probably be the venue for the banquet in the future as the Sandton Sun does not have a ballroom any longer. The guest speaker was Mr Jason Drew, who described himself as a ‘serial entrepreneur, passionate environmentalist, and visionary’, who argued that the industrial revolution is over and the sustainability revolution has begun. There were two VIP tables and 26 Sponsors and Members tables, with 414 guests in total. The evening was a great success, with many friends and acquaintances catching up with each other and the news in the industry.

2. Technical Meetings Portfolio Holders: R.T. Jones and C. Musingwini

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1.5 SAIMM Scholarship Trust Fund J.R. Dixon, Chairman R.P. Mohring, Vice-Chairman F.M.G. Egerton M.H. Rogers

T. Mmola (co-opted from YPC) W.H. van Niekerk

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Contributions to the Trust Fund by individual members and company affiliates totalled R42 712, which is disappointing but probably reflects the current economic environment. The SAIMM continued its support of the Trust Fund with a contribution of R220 000. Awards of R262 000 (R305 000 last year) were made to the Universities supported by the Trust Fund. The money was allocated based on the number of students, in all four years of study, at a particular institution as a percentage of the total of 2627 students, which is a remarkable number in itself. The role of the Scholarship Trust Fund has become even more important as student numbers continue to grow at an alarming rate. The Trust Fund is struggling to meet its mandate in supporting those needy students who do not have bursaries and depend on family, friends, and part-time work for funding. The Trustees have recognized that the current marketing of the Trust and the user-friendliness of the payment system need a re-think. To this end we have engaged with the Young Professionals Forum (YPF), and jointly we will be discussing our strategy with a professional marketing company. The mining and metallurgical industry currently benefits from the quality and numbers of graduates who have in the past received support from the Trust Fund. Students who receive support are the future innovators, engineers, and

The SAIMM conference department organised a total of 13 events for the period July 2014 to June 2015 with an attendance of 2077 delegates. A total of 62 conference delegated signed up at conferences to become members of the SAIMM. Geographically, SAIMM events were held all over the Southern African region with delegates from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Canada, China, Denmark, DRC, France, Germany, Lesotho, Madagascar, Namibia, Nigeria, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, USA, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The SAIMM, partnered with other kindred organisations such as the Association of Mine Manager of South Africa, South African Coal Managers Association and Mine Metallurgical managers Association of South Africa during this period. Events in partnership included the MineSAFE 2014 conference with a record attendance of over 976 delegates. The agreement negotiated with the Advance Metals Initiative (AMI) in 2010, as endorsed by the Department of Science and Technology were concluded is scheduled to continue until 2020 and will hosts a special edition of the Journal. The SAIMM received tremendous support from our industry partners in terms of conference sponsorship and participation; we would like to thank them for their invaluable support. The conference department looks forward to another successful financial period and to providing our members and potential members with a conference service that will be educational, informative and provide excellent networking opportunities, at the high level that has become synonymous with the SAIMM.


Annual report 2.1 Technical Programme Committee—Mining D.D. Munro, Chairman R.T. Jones, Metallurgy Representative A.W. Dougall V.G. Duke A. du Plessis C.R. Frederick y G. Guler M.F. Handle W. Joughin G.V.R. Landman D. Limpitlaw J.A. Luckmann A.S. Macfarlane N.J. McGeorge R.C.A. Minnitt I.M. Mthenjane C. Musingwini J. Ngoma G. Njowa

S.P.F. Nong J.L. Porter B. Ripp S.M. Rupprecht N.W. Searle R. Sivalingum A.G. Smith C.B. Smith G.L. Smith M.H. Solomon T.R. Stacey J. Theron T. van den Berg R.C.W. Webber-Youngman I.R. Wermuth M. Woodhall

The Mining Technical Programme Committee is mandated to provide a selection of events through the year that address the needs of the members of the Institute. These events are generally technical in nature and comprise schools, colloquia, and conferences. During the past year seven such mining and three joint mining-metallurgy events were held, attracting over 1700 attendees. During a strategy session later in the year, most of the Committee members were surprised by the fact that the attendees were predominately non-members of the Institute. This is seen as a sign of the value that the SAIMM is delivering

to the broader industry. However, it has also prompted the Committee to investigate the actual needs of our members over the next financial year. The first event in the year was the very popular Mine Planning School. This event attracted 68 delegates to the new Mine Design Laboratory at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Presentations discussed techniques in the estimation of mineral reserves and new technology in the form of case studies, which proved to be a functional concept, and which received positive feedback with healthy sponsorship from industry. One area of collaboration between the SAIMM and other bodies is through the Global Mining Standards and Guidelines Group, which aims at facilitating the adoption of global standards across all spheres of mining. The first meeting in South Africa was held at Emperors Palace, Kempton Park in August 2014 and attracted 15 international delegates. This is to be an ongoing initiative, and future meetings will be held at in different locations around the globe. The annual MineSafe Conference continues to be one of the largest on the SAIMM calendar, with the 2014 event attracting 976 attendees from industry over the three days (two technical and an awards day). Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, was a fitting venue for this conference due to its location and facilities, and our sponsors generously added to the success of the event. Planning is already under way for the next event, running as a partnership to ensure that the SAIMM and its partners remain in tune with industry. The third Mine Project Valuation School was presented in September, again utilizing the Mine Design Laboratory facilities at the University of the Witwatersrand. There were 58 people who attended this school, which focused on the career development of our members.

Schedule of Mining/Metallurgy Technical Conferences, 2014/2015 Type of Event

Date

Title

Convenor

Attendance

School

15–16 July 2014

Mine Planning School

C. Musingwini

68

Conference

4–5 August 2014

Pyrometallurgical Modelling Conference

K. Vreugdenburg

66

Workshop

20 August 2014

Global Mining Standards and Guidelines Group Workshop

J. Porter

15

Conference

20–22 August 2014

MineSAFE 2014 Conference

T. van den Berg

976

School

9–11 September 2014

3rd Mineral Project Valuation School

M. Woodhall

58

Conference

16–17 September 2014

Surface Mining 2014 Conference

C. Frededicks

126

Conference

20–22 October 2014

6th International Platinum Conference

G. Smith

297

Colloquium

12 November 2014

12th Student Colloquium 2014

Z. Botha

142

Conference

11–12 March 2015

Mining Business Optimisation Conference 2015

M. Woodhall

14

Conference

8–10 April 2015

5th Sulphur and Sulphuric Acid 2015 Conference

T. Claassens

93

Conference

23–25 April 2015

SANCOT - Mechanised underground Excavation in

R. Tluczek

50

Mining and Civil Engineering Conference

12–13 May 2015

Mining Environment and Society 2015 Conference

I. Watson

45

Conference

25–26 June 2015

International Metal recovery and Accounting

S. Ndiyamba

127

Conference 2015 - Zimbabwe

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Annual report Nasrec was the venue for the bi-annual Electra Mining show in late September, providing an ideal opportunity for both the SAIMM and Electra Mining to attract the key role-players in the surface mining industry. The SAIMM presented the 2014 Surface Mining Conference over two days, attracting 120 delegates. This was also a testing ground for accepting walk-in visitors for this event, and appeared to work well. Platinum 2014, was held at Sun City in October, attracting 297 attendees. This was the sixth such event and its popularity has not dwindled. This event received the most sponsorships, which is testament to the diligence of the organizing committee as well as the value that our generous sponsors see in our events. The jointly chaired Student Colloquium brings the best of southern African students to a single venue to present their research projects. As always, tensions ran high and the judges were impressed by the breadth of the presentations at the Mintek venue. The 142 attendees all registered on the day of the event. We all look forward to next year’s event, which will precede the Young Professionals Conference. The Mining Business Optimization Conference that was held at Mintek in March attracted 14 attendees. Our annual SANCOT-SAIMM event was postponed to April 2015 and moved to the Elangeni Maharani Hotel in Durban. The focus was on mechanized underground tunnelling in both mining and civil applications, which attracted an audience of 50 people. Thank you again to our generous sponsors. The final event for 2015 was the Mining Environment and Society Conference, held at Mintek. This event attracted 45 attendees from across industry and government and highlighted some of the latest thinking in the South African market. The 2016 calendar plans have already begun, with the conferences expected to be larger and to have an international appeal. In addition, we will be piloting a few new programmes of shorter duration, aimed at local attendees who cannot afford the time out of the office that is associated with multi-day events. We encourage your support and any ideas that you may have for enhancing the programme in future.

processes and techniques for improvements in the industry, as well as promoting networking between industry professionals working in the metallurgical field. Some events were organized in conjunction with the Mining Technical Programme Committee. SAIMM conferences generally receive accreditation from the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) for the requirements of continuing professional development (CPD). The proceedings of these conferences provide valuable reference material. Formal proceedings of high-quality peer-reviewed papers were published for some of the larger conferences. This year, conference delegates were provided with an electronic copy of the proceedings, and were given the choice of purchasing a printed copy as an optional extra. Conference proceedings are also fully published on the SAIMM website, in order to make the information searchable and available to as wide an audience as possible. The SAIMM continues to make their website publications available free of charge (via open access) to the general public, in recognition of the time and effort freely contributed by authors and the organizations to which they belong. Attendance figures for this year’s metallurgical technical conferences varied from 66 to 297. Sponsorship from industry has continued at a very significant level, despite the rather poor state of the economy. The support of our sponsors is highly appreciated.

Conference by Event Type Mining

7

Metallurgy

3

Mining & Metallurgy

3 13

2.2 Technical Programme Committee—Metallurgy R.T. Jones, Chairman Z. Botha, Vice-chairperson T. Claassens P. den Hoed E. Dhlamini M. Dworzanowski K.J. Hay A.S. la Grange J. Mishra M. Motuku A.F. Mulaba-Bafubiandi

N. Naude S. Ndlovu H.A. Simonsen K.C. Sole J. Steenkamp M. Valenta P.J. van Staden K. Vreugdenburg

Attendee Breakdown Members

578

Non-Members

1499 2077

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The Metallurgy Technical Programme Committee has supported a good selection of topical technical conferences for the continuing education of metallurgical professionals throughout the year. The choice of subject matter for these conferences is volunteer-driven, and the work of the conference convenors is highly appreciated. These events provide an important forum for the efficient dissemination of information about new


Annual report The 2014/2015 year has included a variety of events, and some highlights are mentioned below. A conference on Pyrometallurgical Modelling was held in August 2014, and was attended by 66 delegates. Pyrometallurgy superficially appears primitive and little changed from hundreds of years ago, but is one of the most challenging areas to understand and model. The simultaneous effects of very high temperatures, energy transfer, fluid dynamics, electromagnetics, phase changes, multiphase flow, free surface flow, particulate materials, and thermochemistry continue to provide much to interest pyrometallurgical modellers. The dramatic increases in computing power in recent years make it possible to carry out different modelling approaches that earlier generations could only have dreamed about. The Western Cape Branch of the SAIMM held the 32nd event in their annual Mineral Processing Conference series, now expanded to the ‘Southern African Mineral Beneficiation and Metallurgy Conference’, at the Vineyard Hotel in Cape Town in August 2014. This well-established event features close interaction between the local universities and industry.

Attendance by Continent South Africa

1850

Africa

149

Europe

55

Americas

18

Asia

4

United Emirates

1 2077

Countries in attendance at conference Australia

4

Nigeria

3

Austria

6

Philippines

1

1

Portugal

1

Belgium Botswana

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Qatar

1

Canada

5

Sweden

5

China

3

Switzerland

1

Denmark

3

The Netherlands

5

DRC

8

United Kingdom

13

1

USA

13

France

842

11

Germany

15

Lesotho

2

Madagascar

1

Namibia

3

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Zambia Zimbabwe

3 118 227


Annual report Conference Days - Per Event Programme

Days

Mine Planning School

2

Pyrometallurgical Modelling Conference

2

Global Mining Standards and Guidelines Group Workshop

1

MineSAFE 2014 Conference

3

3rd Mineral Project Valuation School

2

Surface Mining 2014 Conference

2

6th International Platinum Conference

3

12th Student Colloquium 2014

1

Mining Business Optimisation Conference 2015

2

5th Sulphur and Sulphuric Acid 2015 Conference

3

SANCOT - Mechanised undergroundExcavation in Mining and Civil Engineering

2

Mining Environment and Society 2015 Conference

2

International Metal recovery and Accounting Conference 2015 Zimbabwe

2

Total Number of Conference Days

27

Conference Sponsorship - Per Event Days

Mine Planning School

90 000,00

Pyrometallurgical Modelling Conference

20 000,00

Global Mining Standards and Guidelines Group Workshop

0,00

MineSAFE 2014 Conference

532 500,00

3rd Mineral Project Valuation School

37 500,00

Surface Mining 2014 Conference

65 000,00

6th International Platinum Conference

935 000,00

12th Student Colloquium 2014

30 000,00

Mining Business Optimisation Conference 2015

10 000,00

5th Sulphur and Sulphuric Acid 2015 Conference

535 000,00

SANCOT - Mechanised underground Excavation in Mining and Civil Engineering

89 000,00

Mining Environment and Society 2015 Conference

17 000,00

International Metal recovery and Accounting Conference 2015 Zimbabwe Total Sponsorship

368 357,00

2 729 357,00

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Programme


Annual report The MineSafe conference, held in August 2014, included metallurgical plant operations for the first time. This prestigious event recognizes safety accomplishments in the mining industry. The 6th International Platinum Conference was held at Sun City in October 2014. There were 297 attendees, somewhat fewer than for previous events but a quite reasonable number given the difficult conditions prevailing in the platinum industry. This conference remains a very important gathering of industry professionals, and encompasses geology, mining, metallurgical processing, market applications, and economics. The importance of the event is underlined by the very significant support from a number of industrial sponsors and exhibitors. The annual Student Colloquium was held during November 2014 at Mintek in Randburg, and included parallel sessions encompassing mining and metallurgy. This event is subsidized by the SAIMM from the surplus funds from other events, in support of the various tertiary educational institutions in southern Africa. This event has, since 2002, continued to provide a showcase for students to present their final-year projects, and the 2014 colloquium was attended by 142 people. The student presentations were generally of high quality, and some were subsequently published in the Journal of the SAIMM. Another long-running conference series published by SAIMM is Industrial Fluidization South Africa (IFSA). The IFSA conferences are held every three years, and the November 2014 event held at the Cradle of Humankind was the fifth in the series. This conference focuses on fluidized-bed reactor technology, with a particular emphasis on coal combustion. The 5th Sulphur and Sulphuric Acid Conference was held in Durban in April 2015. This new venue made it possible to accommodate new and interesting technical visits. The conference was attended by 93 people, and was very well supported by sponsors. The Fourteenth International Ferro-Alloys Congress (Infacon XIV), which is covered in more detail elsewhere in this Annual Report, was held in June 2015, in Kyiv, Ukraine. The technical proceedings are in English, but simultaneous translation between Russian and English was provided for the presentations. The next Infacon event will be held in South Africa in 2018. The Zimbabwe Branch of the SAIMM hosted a major twoday conference in Harare in June 2015, and managed to attract 127 delegates to the International Metal Recovery and Accounting Conference. The event was well supported by government, industry, and university representatives. There has continued to be excellent cooperation between the various international mining and metallurgical societies, including those based in the USA (SME, TMS, and AIST), Australia (AusIMM), Canada (CIM), and Europe (GDMB). This has led to SAIMM participation on the organizing committees of a number of overseas international events, as well as cosponsorship of events (which also entails publicizing the events to SAIMM members). The Metallurgy Technical Programme Committee continued to be supported by a group of highly capable members, and many enjoyable meetings were held during the year. SAIMM’s conferencing team is to be commended for their highly

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professional approach in handling conference arrangements, resulting in many favourable comments from attendees. The combined effort of all these people has resulted in a number of worthwhile technical events being provided for the benefit of the metallurgical community of southern Africa.

2.3 South African National Committee on Tunnelling (SANCOT) H.J. (Ron) Tluczek, Chairman C. Viljoen, SANCOT Vice Chairman L. Nene, SANCOT Young Members Group Chairman G.A. Davis P.H. Ferreira M. Lebitsa J.L. Porter D. Roos

T.R. Stacey F.B. Stevens J. van der Westhuizen J.W. Walls M. Walnstein

The International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA) held its 41st annual meeting in Dubrovnik, Croatia from 22 to 28 May 2015, in conjunction with the World Tunnel Congress 2015 ’Promoting Tunnelling in South East European Region’ organized by the ITA and the Croatian Association for Tunnelling and Underground Space. More than 1550 persons participated in the conference. The Association registered two new Member Nations, Guatemala and Qatar, and 21 new Affiliate Members in the preceding year, which resulted in a total of 73 Member Nations and 282 Affiliate members (taking into account some resignations). Fifty-seven of the 73 Member Nations were represented in the General Assembly. Ron Tluczek, Chairman of SANCOT, represented South Africa at the General Assembly on behalf of the SANCOT Committee. The Open Session, which took place on 26 May, was dedicated to ’Underground Space and Natural Resources’ with a special focus on hydro. A panel of seven experts made presentations and a floor discussion was held on three main themes – sustainability, constructability, and finance and insurance. At the end of the session it was very clear that hydro power tunnels have proven to be a very sustainable solution, especially when due attention is given to constructability by utilizing advanced technology and contractual practices. Financial models should be based on long-term revenues. With the current market development in renewable energy, hydro tunnels and related structures have proven to provide the most reliable and economical long-term solutions for the supply of energy for our planet. Underground space can make hydro power schemes more sustainable with respect to environmental, social, and economic aspects, when used in suitable settings and with a clear understanding of all risk, particularly geotechnical risk. Other risks to be aware of include financial challenges, construction risk, hydrological risk, offtaker risk, regulatory risk, life-cycle risk, and changes in climate and technology. The ITA has produced a video of the Open Session which can be viewed on the ITA Youtube Channel (https://youtu.be/47fcycz9pyg). Although formed only a year ago, the ITA Young Members Group has been very active, strengthening the international network between young members and participating in two major events in Greece and UAE. The ITA YM group has also created a new magazine, ‘Breakthrough’.


Annual report

Ž Strategy for Site Investigation on Tunneling Projects Ž Guidelines for Good Working Practice in High Pressure Compressed Air (HPCA) Ž An Owners Guide to Immersed Tunnels Ž Rebuilt Equipment – Guidelines on Rebuilds of Machinery for Mechanised Tunnel Excavation Ž Guideline for Good Practice of Fibre Reinforced Concrete Precast Segments Ž Guidelines on Measurement Frequencies Ž Remote Measurement Ž Survey of existing regulations and recognised recommendations (on operation and safety of road tunnels). All these documents are available free of charge on the ITA website and are available for comments. The next annual meetings of the ITA General Assembly will be held at the following venues: San Francisco, USA, from 22–28 April 2016, during the ITA-AITES WTC 2016 ‘Uniting our Industry’. Bergen, Norway, from 9–16 June 2017, during the ITAAITES WTC 2017 ’Surface Problems – Underground Solutions’. Dubai, UAE, from 20–26 April 2018, during the ITA-AITES WTC 2018 ’Smart Cities: Managing the Use of Underground Space to Enhance Quality of Life’.

SANCOT News At a meeting held on 14 January 2015, the South African National Committee on Tunnelling approved the formation of a Young Members Group (SANCOT–YMG). Mr. Lucky Nene was nominated and accepted as the Chairman of the YMG. SANCOT–YMG has adopted its mandate from its mother bodies SANCOT and SAIMM and is working closely with the youth body of ITA, which is ITA–YM. The mandate as adopted from the ITA–YM is structured as follows: (a) To provide a technical networking platform within the ITA, SANCOT, and SAIMM for young professionals and students (b) To bridge the gap between generations and to network across all experience levels in the industry (c) To create awareness of the tunnelling and underground space industry among new generations (d) To provide young professionals and students with a voice in the ITA, SANCOT, and SAIMM, including the Working Groups. (e) To look after the next generation of tunnelling professionals and to pass on the aims and ideals of the ITA, SANCOT, and SAIMM. Through general interactions with other professional platforms, young professionals have shown interest in this youth structure and a desire to take part. It is therefore

envisaged that all interested companies would encourage their young professionals, both within mining and civil engineering, to nominate representatives within SANCOT–YMG. This participation and involvement is encouraged to extend beyond the workplace and will include those young professionals that are at academic institutions. SANCOT held a Conference in Durban from 23–25 April 2015. The theme of the conference was ’Mechanized Underground Excavation in Mining and Civil Engineering’. The conference was intended to promote interaction and closer communication between personnel and companies in the mining and civil industries, and to create a platform where expertise and experience gained in mechanized underground excavation could be shared. In the civil engineering sector, due to the global increase in urbanization, pressure is being placed on governments and the public sector to provide expanded services such as safe and reliable public transport, electricity, gas, water, and sewage facilities. This results in further development of road, rail, and metro infrastructure. However, the availability of space for this necessary infrastructure in the urban environment is becoming a major challenge. In order to keep up with this increasing demand, civil designers and contractors are having to resort to tunnelling more than ever before and, in order to deliver these services timeously, mechanized underground excavation and support installation is proving to be cost-effective. In the mining sector, the fast, efficient, and safe abstraction of raw mineral reserves is of strategic importance. However, rising labour costs, coupled with labour unrest, impact heavily on the ability of companies to achieve these goals. The South African mining sector needs to mechanize at a faster pace in order to remain globally competitive. This is especially true when developing stopes and vertical shafts, since a typical deep-level mine has a life of 30 to 40 years, meaning that shafts are not sunk regularly and the specialized expertise may not be readily available. With the prospect of several major tunnelling projects on the horizon, the active SANCOT membership is increasing. As a result, a number of Working Groups have either been resurrected or created within SANCOT, namely: WG 3: Contract Practices/SANCOT Constitution WG 12: Sprayed Concrete Use WG 14: Vertical Tunnelling WG 21: Life Cycle Asset Management. There is also a Working Group that will be looking at hosting the ITA World Tunnel Congress in South Africa in 2020. This is as a result of numerous enquiries that Ron Tluczek has received at recent ITA World Tunnelling Congresses, and there would appear to be a lot of international support for holding a WTC in Africa, and specifically in South Africa.

3. Publications Portfolio Holder: S. Ndlovu D. Tudor, Chairman R.D. Beck J. Beukes P. den Hoed M. Dworzanowski M.F. Handley R.T. Jones VOLUME 115

W.C. Joughin J.A. Luckmann C. Musingwini R.E. Robinson T.R. Stacey R.J. Stewart

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South African representatives participated in four Working Groups. Ron Tluczek participated in WG 2 (Research), Tony Boniface in WG 5 (Health and Safety in Works), Chris Viljoen in WG 12 (Sprayed Concrete Use), and Monica Walnstein in WG 21 (Life Cycle Asset Management). Chris Viljoen made a presentation to W G 12 on the status of a guideline for sprayed concrete. Eight reports were published in the previous year, three from ITA Working Groups, four from ITAtech Activity Groups, and one from the ITA COSUF Committee.:


Annual report 3.1 Journal The breakdown of papers published during the year is as follows: Year

Mining

Metallurgy

Other

Total

2014

43

41

13

97

2015

75

49

4

128

Of the 128 papers published in 2015, 54 were from outside South Africa. The rejection rate of papers received was 24 per cent The average monthly print run during the year was 3675 copies. Advertising revenue for the year totaled R1 684 082 which was some 4 per cent (R65 918) below forecast. It became apparent during the course of the year that a number of our traditional and long-supporting advertisers were cutting back on their advertising spend to the extent that some withdrew altogether. Additions to, and refinement of, the referee database system continued during the year.

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The Journal is now available online at http://issuu.com/saimm and has been allocated the on-line ISSN 2411-9717. As part of its services to South African scholarly publications, the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) has been assisting us with the introduction of a digital object identifier (DOI) which is assigned to each and every article that is digitally available thought the world wide web. DOI is a unique alphanumeric string assigned to each separate digital item (article) published as part of our Journal. Each DOI is associated with a set of basic metadata and a URL pointer to the full text. ASSAf has registered with CrossRef, and has been assigned a DOI prefix (http://dx.doi.org/10.17159) which can be used by all SciELO journals. Each SciELO journal will use a unique string which the SAIMM will introduce to the Journal during the course of the coming year. We are indebted to our members who undertake the onerous task of refereeing papers. The Publications Committee has introduced a process of ‘prescreening’ to alleviate the need to referee papers that may not meet the basic publishing criteria when the submitted abstract is reviewed. The publications team of Dawn van der Walt, Zuliakha Malgas, and Kelly Matthee has continued its good work in producing the Journal.


Annual report "6,;<:-?2798?6+? >+>;>>9 Eric, Rauf Erwee, Markus Everson, Ray Falcon, Rosemary Fatti, Paul Felipe, Joao Foster, Stephen Freulon, Xavier Genc, Bekir Gerhard, Stenzel Ghosh, Tathagata Giblett, Aidan Gibson, Jon Glacken, Ian Goodfellow, Ryan Groot, Dick Guibal, Daniel Hadjigeorgiou, John Hancox, John Hand, Peter Handley, Matthew Hangone, Gregory Harley, Michael Harris, Richard Hay, Kevin Hebblewhite, Bruce Hermanus, May Heydenrych, Mike Hobbs, Phillip Holm, Kevin Humby, Tracey Hundermark, Rodney James, John Jansen, Joel Joughin, William Kapageridis, Ioannis Karimi, Mohsen Kecojevic, Vladislav Kis, Ekin Knobbs, Clive Kotze, Marthie Krause, Paul Kruger, Buks Kruger, Coert Kyriakidis, Phaedon Labram, Steve Labuschagne, Inus Lagendijk, Herman Lake, James Landman, Gys Lane, Gary Leach, Tony Limpitlaw, Daniel Lloyd, Phillip Lodewijks, Henk Lomberg, Ken Loveday, Brian Luckmann, John Luckos, Adam Lyman, Geoff Lynch, Richard Machaka, Ronald Mainza, Aubrey Malan, Francois Malovichko, Dmitry Malysiak, Vratislav Marcotte, Denis Maritz, Jannie Marriott, John

Matinde, Elias Mbaya, Richard McDonald, Andy McGeorge, Norman McKechnie, Bill McMillan, Kevin Mendecki, Aleksander Mills, Ken Minasny, Budiman Minney, Dave Minnitt, Richard Montiel, Luis Morgan, Craig Morrison, Nigel Mostert, Roelf Muller, Jacques Musingwini, Cuthbert Mustapha, Hussein Naicker, Oomeshnie Naik, Sandip Naismith, Alan Napier, John Nasiri, Mehdi Neomagus, Hein Newcombe, Bianca Nheta, Willie Njowa, Godknows Nolet, Isobel Noppe, Mark Ntuli, Freeman Nyembwe, Didier O’Connor, Donald Oboirien, Bilainu Olea, Ricardo Olivier, George Ortiz, Julian Orton, Thomas Orzol, Carsten Oyekola, Sean Parker, Harry Pelton, Arthur Petersen, Jochen Petersen, Kurt Petho, Sandor Petrik, Lesley Pettit, Wayne Phillips, Huw Pickering, Rod Pieterse, Jason Pistorius, Chris Pistorius, Pieter Potgieter, Herman Priest, Graham Prins, Chris Prinsloo, Herman Prout, Barry Purcell, Walter Qiu, Biao Radcliffe, Peter Randolph, Neville Render, Christine Reynolds, Quinn Rivoirard, Jacques Roodt, Andreas Rorke, Tony Rose, David Rupprecht, Steven Saka, Abdurakee Sandenbergh, Roelf

Saydam, Serkan Schutte, Schu Schwartz, Ian Schweitzer, Jochen Seebregts, Andrew Shackleton, Natalie Singh, Navin Singh, Nirdesh Siyasiya, Charles Slabbert, Deon Smith, Craig Smith, Gordon Sole, Kathy Solomon, Mike Spearing, Sam Spears, David Spottiswoode, Steve Srivastava, R. Mohan Stacey, Thomas Steenekamp, Nico Steenkamp, Joalet Steinhouse, Roelf Stewart, Ron Stumpf, Waldo Theron, Kobus Thomson, Andrew Thursten, Malcolm Topal, Erkan Topic, Mira Uludag, Erhan Valenta, Mike Van Alphen, Chris Van der Merwe, Josias Van der Merwe, Nielen Van der Riet, Mark Van Deventer, Piet Van Heerden, Daan Van Hille, Rob Van Meirvenne, Marc Van Niekerk, Dirk Van Olst, Rex Van Schalkwyk, Rudi Van Schoor, Michael Van Zyl, P.G. Vegter, Nanne Vietti, Andrew Virnig, Mike Visser, Jurgens Vogt, Declan Von Glehn, Frank Vosloo, Manie Vreugdenburg, Kobus Waanders, Frans Wakefield, Tim Walters, Derek Weerasekara, Nirmal Wermuth, Ivan Wesseloo, Johan Whyte, Rod Wijns, Chris Wilke, Andries Wood, Andrew Woodhall, Mike Wortley, Mike Ye, Scott Yilmaz, Halil Young, David Zietsman, Johan

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Abbasy, Farzaan Abdellatif, Masoud Abzalov, Marat Akdogan, Guven Aldrich, Chris Angus, Auchterlonie Armstrong, Robert Ashmole, Ian Auret, Lidia Bada, Samson Bakker, Dirk Banks, Kevin Barker, Ian Bartlett, Hugh Beck, Richard Bekker, Annie Benade, Jaco Bertoli, Olivier Beukes, Johan Beukes, Paul Birch, Clinton Bisaka, Kabwika Blackham, Norman Bluhm, Steven Bock, Immo Bohringer, Walter Botha, Doret Bourgault, Gilles Brink, van, Zyl Bryson, Leslie Bryson, Mike Buttemer, Keith Campbell, Quentin Canulat, Ismet Carsky, Milan Cawood, Fred Chamberlain, Vaughn Chatterjee, Snehamoy Chileshe, Peter Chown, Lesley Cichowicz, Artur Clark, Isobel Clay, Andy Coetzee, Henk Cook, Alan Corin, Kirsten Cornish, Lesley Craig, ken Croll, Robert Cunningham, Claude Davis, Burton De Korte, Johan De Vaux, Deryck Demyanov, Vasily Den Hoed, Paul Deng, Zhiyong Deutsch, Clayton Digby, Caroline Dixon, Roger Dohm, Christina Dougall, Andre Dougherty, Heather Du Plessis, JJL Du Preez, Nick Durrheim, Ray Duthe, Diane Dworzanowski, Marek Engelbrecht, Andre Erasmus, Lourens


Annual report 4. Regional Development Key Performance Areas To promote the interests of members based in different regions, the SAIMM: ÂŽ Supports the establishment and maintenance of branches to satisfy the local needs of its members for professional association and the exchange of technical information ÂŽ Co-operates with other member societies of AS&TS and with associations and interest groups that have close ties with operating mines and metallurgical plants by holding joint technical meetings and collaborating in the field of publication.

4.1 SAIMM Branches 4.1.1 Botswana S. Maleba, Chairman No report.

4.1.2 DRC Branch S. Maleba, Chairman K. Banika F. Lubala

D. Sambwa D. Tshibanda

The DRC Branch currently has about 50 members, and the number is increasing.

Events for 2015 The Branch planned for two technical events for 2015: Ž Technical event at Tenke Fungurume Mining (TFM). Preparation is under way and we are hoping to hold the event in September 2015 Ž Visit to Kamoa (Ivanoe Mines), October 2015 Ž iPad DRC/2015 : SAIMM Support October 2015 A visit to mine in the Lubumbashi area is still in preparation, and the Committee is looking to MMG Kinsevere to host the event around the first week of November 2015. The AGM will be organized in November. New Year event. Studen’s prizes: grants to students in the Polytechnic Faculties of the universities of Lubumbashi and Kolwezi. This event will be scheduled according to the universities’ programmes. Workshops: Ž Workshop on reporting standards (SRK and SAIMM), 20–21 August 2015 Ž Geotechnical and hydrogeology: impact of water on mines’ stability, October 2015. Committee Meeting 27 July 2015 A Committee meeting was held to discuss the second bi-annual 2015.

4.1.3 Johannesburg Branch I. Ashmole, Chairman J. Luckmann, Vice-Chairman B. Abilliera J. Clarke

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G. Dellas V.G. Duke C. Heili R. Heins H. Jantzen D. Jensen

M. Mthenjane D. Porter G. Ralph G. Stripp M.R. Tlala I. Wermuth

Introduction The Johannesburg Branch’s main activity is to organize technical presentations on a monthly basis between February and November each year. These are generally held on the third Thursday of each month, and since June 2014 have been held at the premises of Worley Parsons at Melrose Arch. During the year under review, we have been very successful in securing a large number of high-quality presentations. The increased student attendance at these events reported over previous years has been maintained, and we have also over the past year managed to obtain significant participation from the metallurgy students at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), to add to the numbers from the mining departments at Wits and the University of Johannesburg. This student involvement is considered important, as through the Johannesburg Branch events many of these students are signed up as student members of the Institute, with a good conversion ration to Associate Membership after graduation. Increased attendance has continued to put pressure on the costs associated with the presentations and associated cocktail parties, while the poor economic situation has put pressure on the sponsorship received. The Committee has thus endeavoured to continue to control the costs, with the most significant measure being the change in venue from the South African Museum of Military History to the Worley Parsons premises in Melrose Arch – we are most grateful to Worley Parsons for providing us with a high-quality venue at no charge. We kicked off the year in July 2014 with a presentation entitled ‘Is Africa still the Wild West of the mining industry?’ from Gavin Andrews of The Minerals Corporation – an interesting and thought-provoking discussion of doing business in the minerals industry in Africa. This was followed in August by our annual student debate, entitled ‘Socioeconomic Issues around Mining – how do we turn around the negative image and attract investment back?’ This proved a lively and interesting debate – the students were well prepared, and the question time ran well over the allotted time. In September, Allan Widlake of Murray and Roberts gave an interesting talk on the ‘Next-generation shaft boring machine for shaft enlargement’ – a talk which offered interesting possibilities for the future of shaft-sinking on brownfield project extensions. October saw a return to metallurgical subjects, with Arnold Swarts of SMP delivering a very interesting talk on a new modular leach technology which can be installed and commissioned in a fraction of the time required for conventional processes and allows for fast-tracking of projects for early production. In November, Jeremy Clarke of Paradigm Project Management delivered a talk entitled ‘Mineral projects – a new paradigm’ – certainly an interesting and thought-provoking approach to delivering projects more efficiently. 2015 kicked off with a thoroughly interesting presentation on ‘Doing business with China’ by Dr Shengfei Gan in February, while in March Luis Fernando Contreras of SRK


Annual report Johannesburg Branch of the SAIMM: technical presentations 2014/2015 Date

Title

Presenter

Sponsor

Responsibility Venue

The Mineral Corporation

R. Heins

Worley Parsons

I. Ashmole, V. Duke, and R. Heins

Worley Parsons

17 July 2014

Is Africa still the Wild West of the mining industry?

G. Andrews

21 August 2014

Socio-economic issues around mining/how to turn around negative image and attract investment

Student Debate

18 September 2014

Murray and Roberts New Mining Equipment

A. Widlake

Murray and Roberts

I. Ashmole

Worley Parsons

16 October 2015

Scorpion Mineral Processing new leach technology

A. Swarts

Scorpion Mineral Processing

R. Heins

Worley Parsons

19 February 2015

How to do business with China

Dr Gan

Sound Mining

I. Ashmole

Worley Parsons, Melrose Arch

19 March 2015

Slope stability risk assessment

L.F. Contraros

SRK

M. Mostert

Worley Parsons, Melrose Arch

16 April 2015

Waterberg coal mineralogy / automated mineralogical analysis of coal and related products

Dr C. van Alphen Eskom?

G. Stripp

Worley Parsons, Melrose Arch

21 May 2015

Venetia underground project

K. Botha

G. Dellas

Worley Parsons, Melrose Arch

16 July 2015

SAMREC/SAMVAL

K. Lomberg and S. Rupprecht

S. Rupprecht

Worley Parsons, Melrose Arch

AGM The Branch AGM was held on 18 June 2015.

Committee We welcome the following new members who were elected at the AGM to the Committee: Ronald Tlala, Danie Jensen, and Bruno Abilleira. We would like to thank outgoing members Andre Dougall and Vaughn Duke for their contributions over the years.

4.1.4 Namibian Branch G.B. Ockhuizen, Chairman H.N. Abraham D. Chimanikire S.S. Massipa T.G. Murasiki

A.M. Mutileni N.M. Namate

Our membership drive is continuing. A focused effort is being made to convert the student members who entered the workforce to Associate Members, as well as trying to get the existing members who have discontinued their subscriptions to reactivate them. We have created a Namibian Branch Facebook group in an effort to encourage more membership and to discuss issues faced in the mining industry. Increased efforts are being made to recruit new members from the mining companies that are currently developing new projects (Swakop Uranium and B2 Gold). Owing to the depressed commodity prices, especially uranium, some members are being affected by retrenchments, which could have an effect on our membership numbers. The Drill and Blast school that was scheduled to take place in May 2014 has been postponed to September 2014, due to limited registrations and the depressed market. Efforts are still being made to host more events.

4.1.5 Northern Cape C. van Wyk, Chairman T. du Toit, Vice Chairman A. April B. Basson C. Kearns

J. Leader I. Lute B. Theron

A Branch committee was elected at a meeting at the Namakwari Lodge at Kathu, which was attended by more than 20 members. Six professionals were accepted as members and a number are awaiting approval of their applications. VOLUME 115

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presented a paper entitled ‘An economic risk evaluation approach for pit slope optimization’. There was no presentation in April, as we were unable to confirm either a speaker or sponsorship. May saw a presentation from Kevin Botha of De Beers on ‘The Venetia underground project’. While this presentation attracted a record attendance of nearly 280 people, sponsorship arrangements that had seemed secure fell through days before the event, leaving the Committee with a difficult decision as to whether to cancel the event or proceed without sponsorship. It was decided in view of the confirmed attendance that we should proceed, but this obviously resulted in a huge financial shortfall. A presentation on the updates to the SAMREC and SAMVAL codes, which had been scheduled for June, was postponed to July due to very poor confirmed attendance numbers. Going forward, we once again appear to have a full programme ahead of us, although in some cases it appears that we may struggle to secure full sponsorship of the presentations. In terms of the Committee, I would like to thank in particular Russell Heins, Jeremy Clarke, Dave Porter, Hein Jantzen, and George Dellas for their contributions in securing presentations and sponsorships, and Jacqui E’Silva for the secretarial and organizational duties.

DBCM


Annual report Since the election, Brenda Theron has had to withdraw due to personal commitments. The committee was led by the SAIMM Constitution (By-law F) in the nomination and appointment of a new committee member, Mr. Marius Luther from Petra Diamonds.

Activities The promotion and recruitment strategy was reviewed at the Branch committee meeting on 19 June 2015. Members agreed that attendance at technical events will be adversely influenced by the current economic climate. It was decided to arrange technical information sessions between Khumani and Kumba Iron Ore’s Sishen Mine, and an event is planned for the next two months. We also plan to host a promotional stall at the Kathu Exhibition event, which will take place in Hotazel.

Membership Members were recruited mainly from the Kathu area, specifically from the Khumani and Sishen mines. A few members from the Kolomela Mine in Postmasburg also joined the Institute.

Challenges The development of a strategy for the Northern Cape Branch was discussed at the first Branch meeting on 14 January 2015. This included events planned for 2015. The committee also reviewed the strategy for 2015 in view of the current economic climate. Prices for bulk commodities decreased significantly in 2014/2015 to their lowest levels in recent times. The Northern Cape mining companies that are affected the most are currently focused on mitigating the influence of this on their operations. A decision was taken at the 19 June Branch meeting to focus on growing and maintaining interest among core members. A technical session is to be held between Khumani and Sishen mines, and an event facilitated with vendors can be combined with the Branch Annual General Meeting in 2015. No date for the Annual General Meeting has been determined yet.

Integrated professional strategies Discussions were held regarding strategic collaboration with the Northern Cape Mine Managers Association, which is already established in the Northern Cape, as well as on maintaining the SAIMM brand and identity. Members agreed that collaboration could enhance the sharing of technical knowledge in the area. This will also present more potential members to the Institute and ensure buy-in from senior management. A strategy had been drafted and is currently in circulation for review.

4.1.6 Pretoria Branch N. NaudĂŠ, Chairman G. Ngema, Secretary K. de Wet W.W. de Graaf D. Powell

R. Mabapa C. Siyasiya

The activities of the Branch continued with the format of previous years. A number of seminars were organized in conjunction with the Department of Mining Engineering and the Department of Material Science and Metallurgical Engineering at the University of Pretoria’s main campus. The first event, ‘Shovel to Shelf Conference’ scheduled for 26

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November 2014, did not materialize due to the lack of interest. This might be attributed to the overloading of diaries of people in industry. One of the core functions of the Pretoria Branch is to grow SAIMM member numbers through student membership. This is achieved through hosting events on relevant topics, and it also gives the students an opportunity to mingle with industry professionals on an informal basis. The second event comprised a mini-colloquium on campus, at which Professor Courtney Young, Department Head and Prater Distinguished Professor of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at Montana Tech, University of Montana, gave two presentations: ÂŽ Enargite spectroectrochemistry in acid or basic environments ÂŽ Flow sheet development for lunar soil simulant production. The session was well attended by metallurgical engineering students, university personnel, and industry professionals, and was followed by a cocktail function. A special word of thanks goes to the sponsor (the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering) for providing snacks and refreshments. Finally, thanks to the Committee, the SAIMM Secretariat, and lastly a special word of thanks to Daleen Gudmanz and Gabi Ngema for playing a key role in making sure that all the events ran smoothly.

4.1.7 Western Cape Branch C. Dorfling, Chairman L. Auret L. Bbosa R.D. Beck J.A. Cruise D. Deglon A. Mainza

A. Nesbitt T. Ojumu J. Petersen C. Sweet J. Sweet

Academic personnel and students from the three main tertiary educational institutions in the Western Cape (the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Stellenbosch University, and University of Cape Town) represent the majority of the members of the Western Cape Branch. Branch events are therefore aimed mainly at providing students with information about mineral processing career options and at creating a platform for students and academics to discuss their research. The annual Southern African Mineral Beneficiation and Metallurgy Conference (Minproc) was held at the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West on 7–8 August 2014. Titus Mathe from Eskom delivered the first plenary presentation focusing on the regulation of the engineering practice in South Africa, the accountability and liability of Engineering Practitioners, and the potential impact on the mining industry. A total of 32 full oral presentations, 29 short poster presentations, and 20 posters without presentations were delivered over the course of two days. Research in bio- and hydrometallurgy (18 oral and short poster presentations), comminution (9 presentations), flotation (11 presentations), and sustainability in mining and minerals processing (9 presentations) featured strongly in the proceedings. The conference was concluded by a plenary presentation by J-P Franzidis, providing delegates with an interesting overview of his experiences in the mineral processing industry over the past 40 years.


Annual report

4.1.8 Zambian Branch D. Muma, Chairman C. Mwale, Vice Chairman A. Mhone, Secretary C. Ngulube, Treasurer W. Munalula S. Sondashi

H. Zimba

The Branch held a successful student colloquium at the Copperbelt University in Kitwe on 11 June 2015. A total of 141 delegates attended the event, the majority of whom applied to become members of the Institute. The event consisted of project presentations from the final-year students, a technical presentation from the representative of the Chamber of Mines

of Zambia (CMZ), and the membership presentation from the SAIMM secretariat. The technical event that was scheduled in Chingola in June did not take place as planned due to some external disruptions in the preceding events.

Membership recruitment drive The Zambian Branch has mounted a vigorous membership recruitment campaign at both the corporate and the individual levels. During the period May 2014 to June 2015, membership increased by 41%, ands is likely to increase further above 50% with special focus on corporate and company membership.

Branch Annual General Meeting This is scheduled for end of August 2015.

Other activities The Branch has taken serious interest in the hosting of the Copper-Cobalt Africa Conference, in association with the 8th Southern African Base Metals Conference to be held from 6–8 July in Livingstone, Zambia. This conference is hosted by the Mining and Metallurgy Technical Committees of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM). The Zambian Branch has offered to render support where possible and also strengthen the links between government agencies, the mining industries, and the SAIMM.

4.1.9 Zimbabwean Branch N. Stephen, Chairman E. Hove, Secretary S. Clara M. Georgina D. Godfrey M. Godfrey G. Mufulatelwa

Z. Othniel G. Shepherd M. Stanley C. Wenvceslaus

Membership The Zimbabwe Branch membership continues to grow through networking and awareness events targeted at engaging potential members, particularly students at tertiary institutions. The Regional Development Manager has been instrumental in assisting in this endeavour with presentations at various forums.

Networking events The Branch successfully organized networking and technical events, including one international conference, during the course of the year. An event was held on 22 July 2014 at the Zimbabwe School of Mines in Bulawayo, with the theme: ‘Supply Chain Challenges in the Zimbabwean Mining Industry – Enhancing Local Procurement in Line with ZIMASSET Economic Blueprint’. The conference provided an opportunity to debate the local procurement and supply chain challenges in Zimbabwe, and explore the way forward in building capacity for local procurement. The conference drew participants from various mining companies in Zimbabwe and the region. On 24 July the Branch visited Nimr and Chapman in Bulawayo, one of the biggest foundries in Zimbabwe. In March 2015, the Branch organized a very successful event the University of Zimbabwe, the main focus of which was to create awareness of the SAIMM’s activities among staff VOLUME 115

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Several student prizes were awarded at the conference dinner, including the conference poster prize which was won by Yusuf Bello from Stellenbosch University. The Outotec Sustainability poster prize was won by Jana van Rensburg from North West University for her project entitled ‘Drying of fine coal using warm air in a fluidised dense medium bed’. The President-elect of the SAIMM, Jim Porter, presented SAIMM prizes to the best final-year student in Mineral Processing at the three main Western Cape tertiary education institutions in 2014. The recipients of these awards were Sipiwe Shoko from Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Mieke Lareman from Stellenbosch University, and Bianca Jansen from the University of Cape Town. The conference dinner was preceded by the Branch AGM, at which the outgoing chairperson, Tunde Ojumu, presented his report and the new Committee was elected. Christie Dorfling was elected as chairperson, Aubrey Mainza as vicechairperson, and Craig Sweet as treasurer. The conference was preceded by a one-day workshop entitled ‘Opportunities to improve energy efficiency in processes’. Jim Petrie (Department of Economic Development, Western Cape Government), Markus Reuter (Outotec), Titus Mathe (Eskom), Kiangi Kiangi (Metso), Tony Anyimadu (AngloGold Ashanti), and Jacques Eksteen (Western Australian School of Mines, Curtin University) presented material to facilitate lively discussions regarding this very important topic. The Western Cape Branch held its annual students’ evening at the University of Cape Town on 15 April 2015. The event aims to be a platform where final-year chemical engineering students are informed about the role and activities of the SAIMM as well as careers in the mining and metallurgy industries. Approximately 70 students from the three main tertiary education institutions attended the event, and found the presentation by Malcolm Walker (SAIMM Regional Development Manager) very interesting and informative. Given the Western Cape Branch’s commitment to supporting student activities and through generous sponsorship from Outotec, the Outotec Travel Grants were again awarded in the past year. Lucy van de Ruit and Dereck Ndoro received Outotec travel grants to attend the XXVII International Mineral Processing Conference 2014 in Santiago and the International Symposium on Industrial Crystallization 2014 in Toulouse, respectively. The Branch finances are in good order. A total of 81 abstracts have been received for Minproc 2015, which takes place at The Vineyard hotel in Cape Town on 6–7 August 2015.


Annual report and students in all relevant departments. The departments of Mining Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Geology, Chemistry, and the Institute of Mining Research also gave presentations. The Regional Development Manager, Mr Malcolm Walker, presented an overview of the SAIMM. It is planned to hold similar events at the other tertiary institutions in the near future as part of the awareness and membership drive. In June 2015 the Branch, with the assistance of the SAIMM administration, organized a two-day inaugural International Conference on Metals Recovery and Accounting. The highly successful conference was well attended and well sponsored, and featured presentations from various speakers on the subject across the value chain. A review of the conference is currently being conducted, while the papers are being peerreviewed so as to prepare a proceedings booklet.

Branch elections The Branch Chairman, Dr Elias Matinde, resigned in December following his relocation to South Africa. The Branch Secretary also resigned for personal reasons. Stephen Ndiyamba and Stanley Matutu took over as interim Chairman and Secretary respectively. Elections for the 2015/2016 committee will be held in July 2015, as the Committee was focusing on the organizing the recently held international conference.

Calendar of events Ž July 2015: Membership drive desk at the Minentra Ž October 2016: Branch event and mine visit – details to be provided Ž March 2016: Branch event and mine visit – details to be provided Ž June 2016: International conference – details to be advised.

4.1.10 Zululand Branch C. Mienie, Chairman K. Adams E. Clare B. Cox

W. Jordaan R. Kutama B. Maramba

Kirri Adams resigned from the Committee as she has accepted a position at a mining company in Kenya. We are looking into a new member from BHPB to fill her shoes. Blessing Maramba resigned from Tata Steel and moved out of the area, and has also left the metallurgical field.

Conferences There were no major conferences in the area planned for this year. The industry is under pressure from low commodity prices and sluggish sales. Most of the mines are operating below budget and are busy with cost-cutting initiatives. The Zululand Branch is working closely with SAIMM central office with regard to organizing the Heavy Minerals Conference (HMC). Due to the low level of interest at this time, the conference has been postponed by a year to August 2016.

Branch activities Branch committee meetings were held on 20 January, 18 February, and 25 March 2015.

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Technical meetings Branch meetings to date were sponsored by equipment suppliers. Ž 25 March 2015—polyurethane wear lining and other products, Uretech (Pty) Ltd, 22 people attending. Ž 27 May 2015—Safeway Furnace Monitoring Systems (Pty) Ltd, 12 people attending. Sam Moolla and Jacqui E’Silva from SAIMM head office also attended this meeting.

The year ahead The following activities are planned for the forthcoming year. ÂŽ ÂŽ ÂŽ ÂŽ ÂŽ ÂŽ

Technical presentation—vibrating screens and feeders Plant visit—Tronox Mine rehabilitation Plant visit—BHP Billiton Hillside (aluminium smelter) Other—financial/investments Social—birdwatching event with family braai Social—end–of-year wine or whiskey tasting.

5. Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA)

Professional Advisory Committees PAC Mining M.H. Rogers, Chairman R.P. Mohring, Vice-Chairman M.J. Motomogolo C. Musingwini J.C. Ngoma R.C.D. Phillis V.O. Seboni G.L. Smith

V.P. Tobias D.J. van Niekerk S. Uludag R.C.W. Webber-Youngman L. Zindi S. Zitha

PAC Metallurgy M. Dworzanowski, Chairman K.C. Mistry, Vice-Chairman R.H. Eric I.J. Geldenhuys R.T. Jones S.M. Naik J. Phiri

K. Poonan R.F. Sandenbergh M.D. Seke M. Vermaak

PAC Mining The SAIMM has been associated with ECSA and its forerunner, the South African Council for Professional Engineers (SACPE), as a founding Voluntary Association since their inception. The SAIMM provides input into the ECSA committees by nominating SAIMM members to stand on those committees on a voluntary basis. The Institute also propose nominations for persons representing mining and metallurgy to stand on the ECSA Council The Committee continued to review and recommend applicants for registration as Professional Engineer. The SAIMM continued to arrange peer reviews of candidate professional mining engineers, which assistance is appreciated. The impasse between ECSA and the Council for the Built Environment in respect of the ‘Identification of Engineering Work’ continues, with little progress having been made. No input was required from the Committee. Work on ‘Discipline Specific Training Guides’ for candidate engineers progressed during the year, with the Committee focusing on the mining engineering discipline.


Annual report ECSA is in the process of implementing the ‘New Registration System’ whereby future candidates for registration will be able to register on-line. The transformation of this Committee has been implemented as planned, except that we have not been able to locate an Asian for appointment to the Committee. Six members of the current Committee with greater than twelve years’ service will no longer be eligible to serve after July 2016 and will resign. Although it will be reasonably easy to appoint a more racially balanced Committee, this is not the case for women. The incoming Chairman and Committee will have to fill the vacancies with assistance from the SAIMM. It is noted that 57 per cent of the Committee are black or coloured, and 14 per cent are women. The emphasis for the incoming Committee will be gender equality.

Ž The proposed IDoEW Regulations, which have been approved by the Council for the Built Environment (CBE), are is being considered by the Competition Commission of South Africa (CC) for the purpose of determining whether ECSA will qualify for exemption from the anticompetitive legislation Ž ECSA has provided the CC with appropriate information to enable the Council of the CC to make its decision in respect of the CBE/ECSA’s said exemption application. The CC’s decision is imminent Ž The CC, with the support of ECSA, has consulted all the interested and affected parties who submitted comments and who have raised concerns regarding the proposed IDoEW Regulations (CBE Board Notice).

Engineering candidature The mission of ECSA is to ensure, through a co-operative process of quality assurance, that persons entering the profession are educated and trained according to widely accepted standards, so as to be able to render a professional service for the benefit of the public and the country as a whole. The Professional Advisory Committees (PACs) of ECSA contribute to this mission by considering matters specific to the discipline, and also contribute to wider policy matters as required. During 2014/2015 the PAC Metallurgical Engineering again considered applicants for registration as Professional Engineer by means of paper evaluations and interviews, in which volunteers from the SAIMM participated. The requirement for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) of Professional Engineers for all registered persons opens up opportunities for the SAIMM to support the profession by offering seminars and conferences. This contributes to the CPD category 1, developmental activities. The SAIMM also supports the CPD process in category 3, individual activities, in which membership of the SAIMM, presenting papers at SAIMM conferences, and participating in SAIMM committees all contribute to CPD credits. The Committee records its thanks to the organizing committees and the secretariat of the SAIMM for the issuing of CPD certificates. During 2014/2015 three new members of the Committee were nominated by the SAIMM and their nominations were approved by the ECSA Council. The new members are Mr S.M. Naik, Mr K. Poonan, and Mr M.D. Seke.

6. State Liaison Portfolio Holder: J.L. Porter

6.1 Outcomes-based Education and Training (OBET) Portfolio Holder: D.J. van Niekerk

Compulsory registration with ECSA ÂŽ The registration of persons currently performing Identified Engineering Work (IEW) is voluntary ÂŽ The promulgation and implementation of the proposed Identification of Engineering Work (IDoEW) Regulations will make registration with the Engineering Council of SA (ECSA) compulsory for engineering practitioners who perform IEW and take responsibility for such work

Ž ECSA is busy investigating an appropriate approach/model that will enable employers who train candidate engineering practitioners under ECSA’s Commitment and Undertaking (C&U) to claim some of the education and training expenditure from the relevant Education and Training Quality Assurer (ETQA) Ž ECSA has established task teams to investigate and advise in respect of the preferred model for the funding of the Stage 2 training and experience of candidate engineering practitioners.

New Registration System (NRS) ÂŽ The NRS departs from the legacy registration system in that ECSA has decided to adopt an OBET-compliant competency standards and assessment model that is internationally benchmarked and recognized ÂŽ ECSA undertook a most successful NRS public consultation process during March 2015 in the main centres across South Africa ÂŽ Applicants will continue to submit their applications to register with ECSA in a paper-based format until the online registration system becomes operational. An appropriate phasing-in period of 12 months will be observed for paper-based applications.

IEW in the SA Mining and Minerals Sector (SAM&MS) Ž Engineering practitioners in the SAM&MS who perform IEW and take responsibility for such work will need to become registered in the appropriate category with ECSA Ž The engineering practitioners in the SAM&MS who will be most affected by the proposed IDoEW regulations include Engineers, Engineering Technologists, Certificated Engineers, and Engineering Technicians Ž The level descriptors in the proposed IDoEW Regulations make an unambiguous distinction between the levels of engineering practice vis-a-vis ‘complex’ (PrEng), ‘broadly-defined’ (PrEng Tech and Pr Cert Eng), and ‘well-defined’ (PrEng Techn) Ž Numerous discussions held between the Mine Health and Safety Council (MHSC), the Mining Regulations Advisory Committee (MRAC)’s Task Team dealing with mandatory licensing in the SAM&MS, and ECSA, have led to a joint agreement to investigate the possibility of instituting some form of exemption for competent persons who perform and take responsibility for IEW VOLUME 115

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Annual report ÂŽ ECSA has also consulted PLATO, SACNASP/GSSA, and the SAIMM and its associated Recognized Voluntary Associations in respect of overlaps between the Identified Work for the different professions/occupations in the SAM&MS. The agreed way forward in regard to the said overlaps that will be proposed to the CC is the incorporation of an appropriate exemption clause to the proposed IDoEW Regulations, as well as the establishment of joint IDoEW committees that will deal with specific overlaps.

Cheadle, Thompson, and Haysom (CTH) report ÂŽ The Cheadle, Thompson, and Haysom (CTH) report dealing with competency certificates in the SAM&MS was approved by a Stakeholder Consultative Workshop arranged by the Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) held on 20 July 2012 ÂŽ The work relating to the implementation of the recommendations of the said report was subsequently temporarily suspended until the completion of the Classification of Mines Project ÂŽ The CTH report was referred for implementation to the DMR MRAC.

Statutory Licensing in the SAM&MS Ž The DMR undertook to expedite the implementation of the report ‘Reverting back to the Blasting Certificate’ Ž The Inspectorate: Mineral Resources holds the position that Certificates of Competency (CoCs) issued by the DMR are not qualifications and may therefore be withdrawn or suspended. Legal counsel considers the use of CoCs as a licence-to-practice as unconstitutional Ž The DMR undertook to publish a draft list of occupations in the SAM&MS that would be subject to statutory licensing, e.g. ‘the Big Five appointments’.

Poor examination results: GCCs Ž The draft final report ‘Poor Examination results of Government Certificates of Competency (GCCs)’, compiled by a University of Johannesburg (UJ) team, was approved at an industry workshop held on 22 August 2014 Ž The MQA Board approved the report and forwarded it for consideration and implementation to the MHSC.

The ‘New Model for CEs’ Ž An ECSA Standards Generation Group (SGG) developed a ‘New Model for Certificated Engineers (CEs)’ which proposes that the GCCs (seven in total) for Managers and Engineers in the RSA be replaced by registration with ECSA in the appropriate category of Pr Cert Eng Ž ECSA is busy establishing a high-level Joint Steercom composed of representatives from the DMR, Department of Labour, Department of Transport, Department of Public Works, and ECSA to address the inappropriate duplication of requirements for CEs found in the different sets of legislation.

Implementation of an OBET-compliant dispensation in the SAM&MS ÂŽ The draft Stage 2, Level 7 QCTO-compliant qualification for CEs awaits submission to the Quality Council for

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Trades and Occupations (QCTO) for consideration and approval The draft stage 2, Level 5 QCTO-compliant qualification for Mine Overseers awaits submission to the QCTO The Level 4, QCTO-compliant qualification for Mine Planning Officers has been submitted for consideration/approval to the QCTO The Level 4, QCTO-compliant qualification for Occupational Environmental (Ventilation) Officers has been submitted for consideration/approval to the QCTO Numerous CocCs have been issued by the DMR as well as the Chamber of Mines of SA at levels 5 to 8 on the 10level National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

7. International liaison Portfolio Holder: R.T. Jones

Key Performance Areas To achieve its objectives, the SAIMM ÂŽ Participates in and represents South Africa on bodies such as the Mining, Metals & Minerals Society (TMS), and together with Mintek on INFACON ÂŽ Appoints corresponding members in areas such as Australasia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Europe, the Far East, Ghana, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, and interacts with sister institutions in other countries to promote international exchange of scientific and technical information.

7.1 APCOM Prof. C. Dohm, South African Representative

APCOM symposia APCOM was founded in 1961 by professors and students from the Earth sciences and mining departments at the universities of Arizona, Stanford, Pennsylvania, and the Colorado School of Mines. The Society of Mining Engineers (SME) also participated in the meeting. The focus was on exchanging knowledge and experience in operations research and computer methodologies and technologies available at that time, and the development of new techniques applicable to the mining industry. In 1969 the Operational Research Society of South Africa (ORSSA) played a significant role in formalizing and recording the proceedings of the meetings. Annual or bi-annual international APCOM Symposia have become important events, where practitioners and researchers use the opportunity to showcase innovative applications of computer technology. These forums stimulate debate, and promote and facilitate the advancement of operations research methodologies and computer technologies for the mining industry. They constitute a meeting place for industry leaders who have accepted the challenges of the mining environment, and are adapting old or developing new technology to solve age-old problems under different conditions. The aim is to develop, operate, and close mines in a manner that provides long-term value. That is, to improve the economic viability of mining within the everdemanding mining climate and the evolved broad view of long-term value. The 2015 International APCOM Council consists of the following members:


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Dr Sukumar Bandopadhyay

Dr JoĂŁo Felipe Costa

Dr Kadri Dagdelen Dr Sean Dessureault Dr Christina Dohm

Dr Robert Hall

Dr Evengy Kuzmin Dr Eduardo Magri Dr Antonio Nieto Dr Harry Parker

Dr Axel Preusse Dr Andrej Subelj

Dr Wang Yuehan

representing the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) representing the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME) representing the Federal University of Rio Grande De Sul, Brazil representing Colorado School of Mines, USA representing the University of Arizona, USA representing the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) representing the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum representing Moscow Mining Institute, Russia representing the University of Santiago, Chile representing Pennsylvania State University, USA representing the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME) representing Aachen University, Germany representing the Institute of Mining, Geotechnology and Environment, Slovenia representing China University of Mining and Technology.

37th APCOM Symposium 2015 The 37th APCOM Symposium was held at the Westmark Hotel and Convention Centre in Fairbanks, Alaska, during 24–27 May 2015, with 120 delegates, including 30 graduate students, attending. The Chairman of the Conference was Dr Sukumar Bandopadhyay of the University of Fairbanks. Mayor Luke Hopkins of Fairbanks North Borough and Steven Gardiner, 2015 SME President, delivered the welcoming addresses. The Conference kicked off with three keynote deliveries. Dr Raj Armani entertained the audience with the 50-year story of APCOM. This was followed by a presentation on ‘Technological Perspective on Risk Management and the New Paradigm for Smarter Mining and Complex Mineral Value Chains’ by Dr Dimitrakopoulos. Finally, Dr Deutsch presented the ‘geostatistical myths’ that are much talked about but rarely seen – referring to, for example, theoretical models using gridded blocks, which exist only in models and not in mines. The programme included a variety of topics, with 120 presentations delivered in 19 sessions over three days and covering Mine Automation (4), Geostatistics (14), Mine Exploration (6), Production Scheduling (8), Project Evaluation (4), Mine Planning (14), Mine Design Simulation (5), Mineral Processing (6), Mine Ventilation (10), Discrete-System Simulation in Mining (6), Geotech-Rock Mechanics (5),

Decision Making Computer Applications (4), Computer Modelling in Unconventional Resource Development (4), Optimization in Mining (4), Drilling and Blasting (6), Underground Mining(6), Off-shore Placer Resource Estimation (5), as well as a few in the Miscellaneous category (6). The Symposium Proceedings, containing 146 publications, are available to member on Onemine at www.onemine.org. The main sponsors of the 37th APCOM were Maptek, Pogo Mine, Kinross Fort Knox, ProCogs, and Cradle. Other sponsors were the University Alaska Fairbanks, the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, the SME, Usibelli Coal Mine, and the Association of Engineering and Environmental Geologists (AEG.)

38th APCOM Symposium The 38th International Symposium on the Application of Computers and Operations Research in the Mineral Industry (APCOM 2016) will be held in Denver, Colorado, during August 2016 at the Colorado School of Mines. The conference is cosponsored by the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME). The technical programme of this Symposium will be a balance of traditional areas of exploration, including geostatistics, mine design, production planning, investment analysis, artificial intelligence simulation, mine automation, rock mechanics, mineral processing, and data management systems. Important dates and conference details will be provided as and when received. The Chairman of the 37th Symposium and contact person is: Dr Kadri Dagdelen Department of Mining Engineering Colorado School of Mines, Denver, USA

7.2 INFACON N.A. Barcza, Chairman R.T. Jones, Secretary General The INFACON Congress was founded in South Africa in 1974 by the SAIMM, Mintek, and the Ferro Alloys Producers' Association (FAPA) when the first INFACON was held in Johannesburg. INFACON has already been held three times in South Africa, the most recent event being in Cape Town in 2004. The fourteenth Congress, INFACON XIV, was held in Kyiv in Ukraine in June 2015 (http://infacon14.com.ua). The International Committee on Ferro-Alloys (ICFA) was formed by the SAIMM, FAPA, and Mintek. Mintek provides the secretariat for ICFA. The primary objectives of ICFA are to promote the holding of the International Ferro-Alloys Congress (INFACON) every two to three years in appropriate locations, to ensure that the high technical standard of papers and presentations is maintained, and to increase and promote participation. ICFA also provides high-level assistance in the important process of transferring the hosting of INFACON from one country to the next, with the valued involvement of recent INFACON hosts. ICFA arranges the meeting of representatives from ferroalloy producing and consuming countries during each INFACON, to discuss the relevant technical content for VOLUME 115

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Annual report INFACON and decide on the country that will host the subsequent INFACON Congress. Prospective host countries are invited to make submissions in advance to ICFA accordingly. Criteria for selection include the appropriate professional standing of the organizing entity, the suitability of the location, and the necessary level of local and regional support from stakeholders such as industry, government, and relevant technical institutions. The current members of ICFA include: ABRAFE (Brazil), CSM (Chinese Society for Metals and the Chinese Ferroalloy Association, China), Euroalliages (Europe), IFAPA (India), JFA (Japan), CMI (Chemical-Metallurgical Institute, Kazakhstan), AIST (North America), FFF (Norway), Russia, FAPA (South Africa), UkrFA (Ukrainian Ferroalloys and other Elektrometallurgy Products Manufactures Association, Ukraine), and invited attendee Turkey, who participated in the ICFA meetings in Almaty and Kyiv. INFACON has been held in the following countries and locations: ÂŽ ÂŽ ÂŽ ÂŽ ÂŽ ÂŽ ÂŽ ÂŽ ÂŽ

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Brazil (1) in 1986, in Rio de Janeiro (ABRAFE) Canada (1) in 2001, in QuĂŠbec City (TFA) China (1) in 1998, in Beijing (CSM) Finland (1) in 2010, in Helsinki (Outotec) India (1) in 2007, in New Delhi (IFAPA) Japan (1) in 1983, in Tokyo (JFA) Kazakhstan (1) in 2013, in Almaty (CMI and National Center on Processing of Complex Materials) Norway (1) in 1995, in Trondheim (SINTEF) South Africa (3) in 1974, 1992, and 2004 in Johannesburg (1) and Cape Town (2) (FAPA, Mintek, and the SAIMM) Switzerland (1) in 1980, in Lausanne (IFPEO, now Euroalliages) Ukraine (1) in 2015, in Kyiv (UkrFA) USA (1) New Orleans, in 1989 (TFA).

INFACON contributes to the exchange of research and development information by publishing refereed papers covering the major and minor ferro-alloys. Participants include universities, research and development organizations, suppliers of services, engineering, and equipment, and in particular the ferro-alloy industry. The constitution for INFACON has been updated and is hosted on the Infacon website. The host organization for INFACON XIV was UkrFA, the Ukrainian Ferroalloys and the Elektrometallurgy Products Manufactures Association. The Organizing Committee for INFACON XIV was as follows: Ž Honorary Chairman – Professor Boris Paton, Academician and President of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine Ž Chairman of the Extended Programme Committee and Programme Committee – Professor Sergey Grishchenko Ž Chairman of the Organizing Committee – Pavel Kravchenko, Director General of PJSC Zaporozhye Ferroalloy Plant Ž Co-chairman of the Extended Programme Committee and Programme Committee – Dr Vladimir Kutsin, Director General of PJSC Nikopol Ferroalloy Plant Ž Chief Executive Officer of UkrFA and Deputy Director of the Public Association INFACON XIV – Sergey Kudryavtsev

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Ž Director of the Public Association INFACON XIV – Natalia Legkaya. The theme of INFACON XIV was ‘Energy efficiency and environmental friendliness are the future of the ferro-alloy industry’. INFACON XIV was a very successful event, with close to 250 delegates and exhibitors representing almost 30 countries. The leading participants in terms of delegates were Ukraine (64), South Africa (36), Norway (19), Kazakhstan (7), and Finland (7). There are 103 papers published in the two volumes of the INFACON XIV Proceedings. Professor Sergey Grishchenko and the INFACON XIV team can be justly proud of the excellent Congress held in Kyiv and for providing the delegates and their partners with a most enjoyable time in their wonderful city. Congratulations are due to all those involved with the success. The technical programme contained many interesting and topical presentations covering the major and minor ferro-alloys. The social activities were outstanding including an entertaining and spectacular evening boat cruise on the Dnieper River. The cultural highlight of the social programme was held in the State Hall with an evening of traditional Ukrainian cuisine, music, acrobatics, and dancing that reflected the proud traditions of this very historical city and the whole country. The post-Congress technical visits to the Nikopol ferromanganese and Pobuzhie ferronickel plants provided delegates with a great opportunity to see some of the very innovate pyrometallurgical processes in operation there. The meeting of ICFA was held during INFACON XIV on 2 June 2015 and was attended by representatives from most of the main ferro-alloy producing regions who are members of ICFA. The two most important decisions discussed at the meeting were the appointments of the new Chairman and Secretary General of ICFA and the award of the hosting of INFACON XV. The meeting supported the appointment of Rodney Jones to succeed Dr Nic Barcza, who has served ICFA for over twenty years. Isabel Geldenhuys, Manager of Mintek’s Pyrometallurgy Division, will succeed Rodney as Secretary General of ICFA. Both appointments became effective from the date of the ICFA meeting in Kyiv. The ICFA Committee offered their congratulations to the new appointees and thanked the outgoing Chairman. The award of the 15th International Ferro-Alloys Congress, INFACON XV, to South Africa was announced at the closing ceremony, and the event is planned for early 2018. INFACON XV will be held under the auspices of SAIMM, FAPA, and Mintek. The website for INFACON XV is http://www.infacon15.com The SAIMM has extensive experience in organizing the three previous successful ferro-alloy congresses in South Africa. This track record should encourage good support from prospective delegates from around the world. Special attention will be given to some regions that have not attended recent INFACONs to the extent that they did in the past. The SAIMM is the custodian of the INFACON Bursary Fund, which supports research and development in the field of ferroalloys. The fund was established from the surplus generated from the earlier INFACON X Congress in South Africa. Further details can be obtained from the SAIMM. INFACON XIV was well supported by sponsors who were acknowledged in the usual way. INFACON XV will, as in the past, provide opportunities for sponsorship in the usual


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ICFA contacts: Chairman: Rodney Jones, rtjones@global.co.za Secretary General: Isabel Geldenhuys, IsabelG@mintek.co.za Infacon website: http://www.pyrometallurgy.co.za/Infacon/ 7.3 SAMREC/SAMVAL F.T. Cawood, Chairman A. Bals R. Becker M. Booysens A. Clay K. Davies A. de Bruyn J.R. Dixon S. Foya D. Kruger

K. Lomberg C.D.A. Loxton A. Macfarlane K. Redman G.L. Smith E. Swindell D. van Niekerk J. Visser

The SAMREC/SAMVAL Committee (SSC) operates under the auspices of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) and the Geological Society of South Africa (GSSA). It oversees and administers the SAMCODES, which is a collective acronym for the following documents: ÂŽ The SAMREC Code, dealing with the reporting of mineral resources and reserves ÂŽ The SAMVAL Code, dealing the reporting of mineral asset valuations ÂŽ The SAMOG Code, dealing with the reporting of upstream petroleum resources, reserves, and asset valuations. During 2014 the SSC established a new Working Group (SAMESG) to consider the need for drafting a guideline document on how environmental, social, and governance issues impact on the reporting of resources, reserves, and asset valuations. The SSC meets quarterly, while its Working Groups (on each of the documents under administration) meet monthly. Ad hoc meetings and complaints are also dealt with in-between meetings. Key issues and events that influenced the business of the SSC during the past year are summarized below and are discussed in more detail later in this report: 1. The SAMREC Working Group revised its Code and is on target for implementation in May 2016 2. The SAMVAL Working Group made good progress on the updating of the SAMVAL Code 3. The SAMOG Code was implemented in early 2015 4. The SAMESG Working Group amended Table 1 of the SAMREC Code 5. The TOR of the SSC was revised 6. The ECSA Board notice on Identification of Engineering Work matter is potentially resolved 7. Three complaints were handled by the SSC during the period under review.

SAMREC Working Group (K. Lomberg, Chairperson) The SAMREC Working Group meets on a monthly basis. The group consults stakeholders regularly in-between meetings, in addition to making formal presentations and publications in the SAIMM and GSSA bulletins. The Working Group also developed SAMREC learning materials for presentations at schools and public consultations. The Exposure Draft was

released to members of the GSSA and SAIMM at branch meetings, and consultation included roadshows at Witbank, Cape Town, Rustenburg, Kimberley, and Johannesburg. The target date for launching the new updated SAMREC Code is May 2016. The next part of the approval process will be to consult with the JSE and the Financial Services Board (FSB). Thereafter, the Code will need to be published in the Government Gazette. A companion volume to provide industry guidelines is currently being compiled for release at a conference in May 2016 under the joint auspices of the GSSA and SAIMM. Competent Person training was undertaken through the GSSA and participation at the 35th International Geological Congress in August/September 2016 is planned by the South African CRIRSCO representatives. The SAMREC Code is regarded as the basis from which the other SAMCODES have developed, and the SAMREC Working Group therefore has to liaise with the other Working Groups on a regular basis. For example, the SAMESG Working Group added environmental, social, and governance content to Table 1 of the SAMREC Code, which required a close relationship between the two groups.

SAMVAL Working Group (A. Macfarlane and K. Redman, Chairpersons) The SAMVAL Working Group has been busy with a review and update of the SAMVAL Code. The final draft was circulated for internal comment and released for wider comment in May 2015 to the members of the Working Group, the SAIMM, and GSSA. Through a public participation process, key issues for review were identified and discussed during the roadshows mentioned under the SAMREC section. Revision issues include value definition, Competent Valuator statutory registration, and alignment (although this issue is substantively complex and to date has not been resolved) with international practise. The target date for launching the new updated Code is also May 2016 at the SSC conference on the updated Codes. Mrs Redman developed SSC materials for public consultation and presented these to the Competition Commission and MIASA. The focus of the period June 2014 to June 2015 was to finalize a draft that could be released for comment on the following basis: ÂŽ The final exposure draft was sent to members of the GSSA and SAIMM for further comment and consultation, which included roadshows ÂŽ The next part of the approval process will be to consult with the JSE and the FSB. This step includes a public participation process for further comment. Once any FSB issues have been resolved, the SAMVAL Code will be published in the Government Gazette ÂŽ Once the SAMVAL process is complete, overlaps with the South African Property Valuers Profession Act of 2000 (SAPVPA) must be resolved. Currently, valuations for companies that list on the JSE are performed under either the SAMVAL or SAMOG codes, while valuations of assets that are not held by a JSE-listed company overlap with SAPVPA ÂŽ A companion volume to provide industry guidelines is currently being compiled. This is in preparation for the conference to be held in May 2016 under the joint auspices of the GSSA and SAIMM VOLUME 115

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categories, namely: Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Details will be made available on the INFACON XV website and from the contacts below.


Annual report ÂŽ Mrs Redman presented an overview of the SAMCODES to MIASA (Mining Industry Association of Southern Africa) on 13 February 2015, in addition to giving a presentation in Kimberley at a diamond conference on behalf of the SSC. Mr McFarlane chaired the IMVAL Committee and successfully initiated discussions with international counterparts in setting up a global Mining Asset Valuation Group, with the intention of establishing a global counterpart to CRIRSCO. He was instrumental in getting the IMVAL template to finalization and the final draft has been circulated to member organizations, including the SAMVAL Working Group, for comment before finalization. Discussions with the International Valuations Standards Council with regard to the IMVAL template and the association of Mineral Asset Valuators with the IVSC are ongoing. Mr Clay and Mrs Redman are additional representatives on IMVAL. The current Chairperson of IMVAL is Mr Roscoe. During the review period, Mr McFarlane was succeeded by Mrs Redman as Chairperson of the SAMVAL Working Group. Mr McFarlane made a tremendous contribution during his time, and his hard work is recognized and appreciated by the SSC.

Oil and Gas Working Group (A. Clay, Chairperson) In late 2012, the Oil and Gas Committee was provided with a new mandate from the SSC to reactivate its work and create an Oil and Gas Reporting Standard for Public Reporting in South Africa. The SAMOG Code is the output document and the SAMOG Committee included experts (international and local), together with interested and affected parties. The Committee established a relationship with the Alberta Securities Commission as the custodians of the National Instrument 51101 reporting code, and Part 5 of that Code has been adopted with minor modifications to create the draft SAMOG Code. The Petroleum Resources Management System (PRMS) is the internationally accepted classification system for the petroleum industry and is the anchor of the new SAMOG Code for reporting resources and reserves as well as global definitions. Section 12 of JSE Act was redrafted to include oil and gas, which changes were approved by the JSE EXCO. The SAMOG Code was ratified by the SSC in 2014, and implemented early in 2015 after the JSE Act had been amended to accommodate this Code. The SSC managed the process of establishing the Oil and Gas JSE Readers Panel, which process required approval of a TOR, nominations, and JSE appointment. The Readers Panel is now waiting for the first submission under this Code. The JSE has managed to secure a memorandum of understanding with the Alberta Securities Commission for future maintenance of the Code. A revised version of the NI 51-101 is currently in preparation.

Reporting on environmental, social, and governance parameters (S. Dyke, Chairperson) The SSC gave its provisional blessing to an exploration of the possibility of developing a guideline document for the reporting of environmental, social, and governance issues. The first meeting was in July 2014 and since then the Committee has met monthly. The Working Group has been productive, and their outputs to date are: ÂŽ An initial consultation paper ÂŽ The case for developing a scoping exercise

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ÂŽ Amendment of Table 1 of the SAMREC Code. The Working Group has also initiated a public consultation process in this regard. The SAMREC Working Group, as the custodian of the SAMREC Code and Table 1, provided comment and additional input ÂŽ The first working draft of the SAMESG guideline was submitted to the SSC for consideration on 28 May 2015. During that SSC meeting, the Committee indicated that the guideline would be published on the SSC website and referenced as the official document for reporting purposes. The SAMESG guideline is aligned with both national and international principles. Both SAMREC and SAMVAL chairpersons have invited the SAMESG Working Group to submit a proposed edit for the SAMREC/SAMVAL codes as to how the SAMESG should be considered when reporting under the auspices of the respective Codes. The next part of the approval process will be to obtain approval from the SSC, and publication on the SSC website, following conversion of the SAMESG to an appropriate format. Its implementation might require amendment of the JSE Act and affect the composition of the JSE Readers Panels.

Revision of SSC terms of reference The current TOR document is dated June 2009 and permission for revision was approved by SAIMM office-bearers on 11 April 2014 after consultations with the GSSA. The new TOR document is likely to be implemented before the end of 2015. The main issues are: Ž The SSC Chair’s role needs to be properly defined at the time of appointment Ž All SSC revenue received will be ring-fenced within the SAIMM accounting system in order to provide for operational (including legal) expenses Ž The work of the SSC needs to be frequently communicated to members. Since the meeting, the President decided that the SSC Chair be invited on Council to communicate SSC business on a regular basis Ž An Oversight Committee consisting of GSSA and SAIMM office-bearers was established to discuss additional matters related to the TOR, budgetary requirements, and management of possible risks to the parent bodies. The TOR of the SSC provides for a system of rotating chairs between the GSSA and SAIMM. My two-year term as SSC Chair ends at the end of 2015 and the GSSA will nominate the Chair for the period 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2017. In terms of the TOR, the SAIMM has to nominate a Deputy Chair for this period. This SSC leadership matter must be an agenda point for decision at the final Oversight Committee Meeting for 2015.

IDoEW Board Notice – CBE Notice on the imminent regulation of the Engineering Profession Members of the SAMVAL Working Group were involved in providing written and verbal comments to the Competition Commission on the Engineering Council of South Africa Identification of Work proposals (IDoW) published as part of the requirements in fulfilment of the Council for the Built Environment Act. In addition, the SSC had fruitful meetings with ECSA, SAIMM, and the CC. The current state of affairs is: Ž ECSA acknowledged the overlaps and assuming that the CC is satisfied that the Notice is not uncompetitive, ECSA will address the exemptions issue in the Regulations to its Act


Annual report Ž ECSA further acknowledged that mutual exemptions may not work and it will be more appropriate for the wording in the different Acts/Regulations to ‘speak’ to each other Ž A joint working committee to address overlaps and develop appropriate legal text, consisting of members from ECSA, SACNASP, and PLATO, will be created. Its TOR will be established with SSC input.

Complaints handled by the SSC Three complaints regarding Competent Person/Valuator reports affecting the following companies were handled by the SSC during the period under review: In conclusion, as the outgoing Chairperson of the SSC, I would like to thank the SAIMM, GSSA, and SSC members for their hard work and support. This group of professionals is hard-working, and passionate about the work of the SSC and the future of the Committee and its working groups. I also want to thank the JSE, Working Group Chairs and all committees, who are all contributing enormously in developing and maintaining codes, guidelines, and regulations involving the business of the SSC.

2015 37.5 37.0 0.5 17.2 13.2 7.0 -01.39 +0.013

Assets Reserves Liabilities Revenue Cost of sales Operating expenses Operating surplus Total surplus

2014 38.9 36.8 2.1 17.1 12.7 6.7 0.2 5.5

Diff. -1.4 +0.2 -1.6 +0.1 +0.5 +0.3 -1.5 -5.49

The value of our assets, apart from this year’s dip, still remains healthy and has increased by R17.2 million over the past five years while our total liabilities at year’s end remain low at R0.5 million

Special projects The increase in the cost of sales over the previous financial year can be attributed primarily to special projects, which were not imprudent spending, but were authorized by Office Bearers and approved by Council. These include:

Portfolio Holder: M. Dworzanowski The Secretariat consists of: Miss Sam Moolla (Manager) Mr Alf Bettoni (Accountant) Miss Jacqui E'Silva (Head of Membership and Branch administrator) Mrs Camielah Jardine (Conference Co-ordinator) Miss Portia Malatji (Accounts Assistant) Mrs Zuliakha Malgas (DTP Operator) Miss Nazli Mamdoo (Conference Publications Co-ordinator) Miss Kelly Matthee (Journal and Subscriptions Co-ordinator) Miss Prudence Ntumeleng (Switchboard/Recept. & Asst. to Manager) Mrs Anna Panana (Conference Assistant) Miss Yolanda Ramokgadi (Conference Co-ordinator) Mrs Apathia Sello (Administration Clerk) Miss Keabetswe Shumba (Membership Application Processor) Mr Raymond van der Berg (Head of Conferencing) Mrs Dawn van der Walt (Head of Publications) Miss Naomi Wernecke (Membership Application Processor) The SAIMM, Office Bearers, and Council record their appreciation to the above for their service.

8.1 Finance J.L. Porter, C. Musingwini It has been expected for several years that the SAIMM would experience challenges to its income and expenditure, brought about by influences in the industry, labour volatility, and economic sluggishness. Well, it has happened this financial year. The cancellation of five technical programmes has strained our cash flow; we have had to draw down R1 million from our investments in order to fund daily operations and to continue to providing the quality service our members expect. Fortunately, over the years of abundance, our investment portfolio has performed better than expected and thus was able to sustain us during this past year; and perhaps will have to do so into the next. The uncertainty in the industry is not being calmed by rumours vis-Ă -vis job cuts.

ÂŽ R 136 000 for computer software for technical programmes ÂŽ R 104 000 for Danie Krige Awards ÂŽ R 220 000 donation to the Scholarship Trust Fund ÂŽ R 51 000 for Global Mining Standards Group ÂŽ R 27 000 for INFACON ÂŽ R 105 000 as bridging finance for Mining Dialogue ÂŽ R 305 000 membership write-off ÂŽ R330 000 for Regional Development/expenses

AFC Investment Portfolio This portfolio continues to perform and has maintained value under the expert guidance of Dee Campouroglou at AFC Investment Management. The portfolio opened on 1 July 2014 at R33.7 million and closed on 30 June 2015 at R34.4 million, an overall gain of R0.7 million after the R1 million we drew down to support cash flow. These figures include the Western Cape Branch’s share.

Western Cape Branch The Branch has successfully migrated to Pastel Accounting and has ended the year with its own set of accounts, which is included in the Annual Report. Special thanks to Meg Winter, Clare Pomario, and Treasure Craig Sweet for their patience and perseverance. And, speaking of thanks, as Treasurer I would like to extend my appreciation to Sam Moolla, Alf Bettoni, and the rest of the team, as well as to our auditor Bobby Kitching for yet another successful audit.

New Members Members C.E. Addinall, I.O. Asante, L. Auret, M.A. Austin, D. Avutia, L. Banda, V.N. Banda, E. Banga, S.W. Bhero, J. Botha, M.I. Botha, M.M. Brown, R.E.D. Bush, V.N. Buthelezi, H.M. Chauke, I. Chifamba, G. Chipepera, M. Chizura, L.P. Crabbe, J. Dadswell, M.T. Daling, D.D. Dames, I.E. Davidson, R. de Franca Rosendo, J.T. De Souza, C. de Wet,

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8. Management and Administration

The key highlights for 2015 are (in million rands)


Annual report M.S. Dekeda, G.M. Denton, N. Deonarain, C.M. Digby, G. Dombo, J.J. Dreyer, H.G. du Bois, J.H. Engelbrecht, A.G. Erasmus, Z. Fakhraei, A.O. Fapohunda, B. Farshadi, I. Ganje, T.J. Goosen, D. Gordine, X.C. Goso, G.L. Govender, C. Grobler, B.A.G. Grymonprez, D. Gwatinetsa, C.G. Higgins, D. Hlahane, M.A. Jethro, A.J. Joubert, F. Kabamba, E.F. Kankeu, J. Kasumba, A. Khot, G.S.R. Koll, P.M. Krishna, S. Krishnan, S.J. Louw, F. Madyirapanze, S. Mafu, G. Mafunda, T.E. Mapanzure, O.C. Mashabila, D. Mathuba, G. Mawere, P.M. May, B. McGeorge, D.S. Mdhlalose, J.P. Mirirai Bishi, A. Mlambo, K. Moswela, P.M. Motswagole, T. Moyo, T.B. Mubvirwi, L.C. Mudzingwa, C. Mukonoweshuro, L.B. Mukumbi, M.G. Mulaudzi, P.P. Mulder, M. Mungoni, K. Mushinka, K. Musiwa, A. Mutiti, C. Muzoriwa, M. Nasiri, L. Ncube, M.B. Ndasi, M. Nekongo, J.N. Nel, AM. Ntinginya, L.M. Ntsipe, W. Nyamapfeni, D. Oosthuizen, C.A. Opperman, M.A. Pereira, O. Pillay, K. Ponnan, L. Ramanala, C.P. Sadomba, G. Sakuhuni, B.M. Schlenter, M.S. Sekano, V.P. Sharma, H. Sikana, R. Sililo, A. Simutowe, N. Singh, B. Stofberg, R. Sukdhoe, N. Tatalias, F. Tembo, J.J. Thompson, I. Tichivangana, M. Tozvireva, A. Tsapayi, Y.M. van der Grijp, S.F.C van der Wath, B. Zimba, M.B. Zvigumbu.

Associates W.K. Banda, N.P. Boonzaier, G.G. Booth, T.P. Boshego, M.B. Bululu, P.K. Buthelezi, M.F. Cedron, B.T. Charandura, J. Chetty, S. Chibwe, M. Chikwekwe, C. de Jager, F.H. Enslin, G.T. Farirepi, J.H. Ferreira, E.L. Forner, T.N. Francis, M.C. Gaula, T. Gcwabaza, H.H. Gouws, S. Gunpath, K.B. HervĂŠ, C. Hofisi, R.G. Hove, C. Ilbury, C.S.A. Joseph, M. Kapembwa, N.M. Kazembe, M.J. Khumalo, P.F. Knights, J. P Labuschagne, L. Lehasa, M.M .A. Lelope, A.M. Lesufi, M. Letsoalo, X. Liu, S.C. Louw, A.F. Lubbe, R. Mahove, A.K. Majachani, A.T. Majachani, T.S. Makacha, N.M. Makgoto, N. Makheda, R. Makwela, M.T. Mamina, M.S. Manono, M.P. Maphutha, H.L. Maringa, S.X. Mashaba, K.M. Matare, S. Mazonde, P.S. Mbedzi, A.A. Mhlongo, R. Mitra, J.S.T. Moabi, N.N. Moeketsi, N.J. Mohlomi, L.A. Mokgokong, L.A. Mokgokong, G. Mokoisa, T.I. Molaoa, M.C. Moyo, A.E. Mudau, C. Mulenga, K. Mumatsi, T. Munjeri, H.C. Mushure, T.P. Mvubu, G.L. Mwenzi, N.G.N.G. Matthews, W. Naude, M. Ndlovu, T.F. Ndlovu, M. Nekongo, T.P. Ngobeni, P. Ntikang, N. Ntini, S.T. Nyamwawza, O.C. Nyaqela, S.T. Phalane, T.A. Rampai, C. Reddy, E. Rex, E. Rodrigues, M.M. Salamba, E.M.B. Santiago, F. Sasman, J. Scheepers, A. Seconds, N.O. Segapela, P. Segopolo, N. Sekgobela, S. Seporo, R.F. Serefentse, K. Setlhako, P. Seyanumd, N.A. Sithole, P.A. Sithole, I.H. Smuts, P.C. Snyders, A.J. Swart, P. Thuleleni Mathumbu, J.R. Town, S.P. Tsebe, K.D. Tshivhase, I.N. Tunnicliffe, K. Uazeua, L. van Heerden, N. van Noordwyk, R.H. van Zyl, P.J. Wessels.

Associate from Conferences G.G. Booth, T.P. Boshego, P.K. Buthelezi, M.F. Cedron, J.H. Ferreira, T.N. Francis, M.C. Gaula, T. Gcwabaza, H.H. Gouws, S. Gunpath, C. Ilbury, P.F. Knights, J.P. Labuschagne, S.C. Louw, T.S. Makacha, R. Makwela, M.S. Manono, H.L. Maringa, N.G. Matthews, P.S. Mbedzi,

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R. Mitra, L.A. Mokgokong, L.A. Mokgokong, G.E. Mokoisa, K.S. Mumatsi, T. Munjeri, S.T. Nyamwawza, C. Reddy, E. Rex, E. Rodrigues, M.M. Salamba, A. Seconds, P.R. Segopolo, N.G. Sekgobela, P. Seyanumd, P.C. Snyders, A.J. Swart, I.N. Tunnicliffe, L. van Heerden.

Students P.P. Aderam, J. Ahlers, A. Akinola, B. Amitu, N.N. Amwelo, O.A. April, A. Arumero, C.J. Badenhorst, N.J. Baloyi, V.D. Baloyi, S.T. Baloyi, M.S. Banyini, P.P.A. Beetge, K.A. Bele, L.M. Bester, P.W. Bester, N. Bhuda, S. Bilitane, Z.S.S. Binta, A.D. Biya, O.A. Boikanyo, S.C. Booi, M.T. Bopape, S. Buthelezi, Y. Chambati, T. Chauke, C. Chauke, A.N. Chauke, N.P. Chepape, C.K. Chigudu, C. Chigwede, T. Chikomo, K.D. Chima, V. Chipakwe, R.K. Chipara, I. Chiramba, T. Chitima, R.K. Chitsiku, K. Chivasa, J.M. Chiwara, M. Chiwawa, M.F. Chokoe, A. Damone, C. Dau, J. De Goede, D.M.D.N. De Ponte, J. De Villiers Thirion, E.R. De Wet, R. Demana, O.F. Dibwe, V.L. Diergaardt, N.P. Digomo, R.E. Dinkelmann, K.T. Dirwai, M. Dlamini, O.J. Dlamini, O. Dombo, J.A. du Plessis, S. Du Plessis, J.P. du Plessis, A.G.N. Du Toit, J. Du Toit, V. Dube, B.W. Dunhira, L.J. Ebrahim, A.J. Els, S.N. Epiga, O.A. Filani, C.L. Fourie, E.P. Furamera, T.Z. Galetuki, R.M. Ganga-Limando, L. Gcwabe, W. Goboza, I.T. Godra, G.L. Gomes-Sebastiao, A.A. Gqada, M. Grewar, L. Grobbelaar, M. Grobler, J. Groenewald, M.M. Guidao-Oab, T.W. Gwishiri, N.I. Hainana, A.W. Hall, R. Hambeka, J.K. Hamunyela, S.I. Hango, T.P.M. Hawadi, H.H. Heinrichs, K.C. Hendricks, M.D. Hendrique, J.C. Hlako, T.S.C. Hlatshwayo, B. Hlatshwayo, T. Hlengiwe, N.C. Hlongo, M.M. Hopane, P. Hove, M. Hurter, A. Hwacha, Y.L. Ikaneng, I. Itiola, T.M. Jack, I.M. James, N.E. Jeli, N. Jinyane, S.G. Jobson, A.B. John, N. Jokazi, B. Jordaan, T. Julius, B. Kabuya, M. Kadengwa, L. Kahenge, A. Kaka, F.N. Kalamba, I. Kalande, J. Kalenga, T.C. Karino, G.W. Kasonga, J.P. Kayumba-Saleh, A.M. Kekana, G.T. Kgaladi, D.J. Kgoete, M.G. Khalane, M.F. Khashole, H.H. Khoali, T.L. Khorommbi, B. Khosa ,N. Khosa, L.T. Khoza, C.K.A. Khumalo, L.T. Khumalo, L Kloppers, P.M. Komana, L.M. Korope, C.H. Kubayi, I.P. Kube, M.I. Kulula, S.J. Kunene, C.T. Kurira, V.B. Kuys, L.E. Labase, L.N. Langa, T.S. Lebona, K.T. Lebopo, M.B. Ledwaba, P. Lefifi, P. Lehgwati, K.M. Lekganyane, M.A. Lekoloane, D. J. Lekomanyane, T. Lekone, S. Leng, M.A. Lenonyana, K.F. Leshaba, T.C. Lesupi, K Letsoalo, W.M. Little, L.J. Little, P.T. Livhusha, L. Lizwane, K. Lombard, R. Lombard, T. Luvhengo, T.K. Maaba, T. Maake, J. Mabaso, S.B. Mabaso, A. Mabilu, R.S. Maboya, K.A. Mabule, S.W. Mabuza, N.R. Mabwe, K. Macheru, L.G. Machete, C.R. Machumi, S.A. Madanda, L. Madidimalo, A. Madolo, M. Maduna, K. Madzhasi , A. Madzvimbo, K. Mafema, T. Mafohla, M.G. Mafokeng, M. Mafunisa, P.P. Magagane, P.M. Magagane, S.B. Magagula, R.R. Magakane, H.S. Magampa, N.D. Magidela, H.T. Magidi, T. Magora, M.M. Magoro, G. Magosvongwe, S.J. Magwala, L.S. Magwaza, M.M. Magwede, K. Mahapa, P. Mahlabela, N.M. Mahlalela, V. Mahlangu, G.N. Mahlangu, C.R. Mahlaule, J. Mahomed, R.B. Mahundla, L. Maimela, D.E. Majika, L. Majola, J.S. Makaai, S.E. Makgata, M.T. Makgene, D.M. Makgoale, M. Makgolane, K.D. Makhafola, Z.M.M. Makhanda, L.M. Makhari, A.S. Makhubu, M.B. Makola,

VOLUME 115


Annual report

A.G. Ndou, M.G. Ndouvhada, N. Ndwendwa, Z.A. Nekhumbe, E.G. Nel, Y. Nel, L. Nemabaka, P. Nemaheni, A. Nemakonde, T. Nemasea, T.A. Nemavhola, R. Nepfumbada, E. Nephawe, F. Nesengani, L. Nethamba, M. Netshifhire, V.C. Netshilaphala, M. Netshilema, M.C. Netshiomvani, G.E. Netshipise, T.P. Netshisaulu, R. Netshithuthuni, T.M. Ngake, S.N. Ngcobo, Z. Ngculu, P. Nghonyama, J. Ngoato, N. Ngobeni, L. Ngobeni, K.R. Ngoma, C.M. Ngomane, T. Ngubane, V.N. Ngubane, K. Ngundu, L.V. Ngwenya, N.Q. Ngwenya, G.A. Nhenderere, S. Nkabinde, S.J. Nkosi, P.N. Nkosi, S. Nkosi, T.P. Nkosi, M.C. Nkwana, M.T. Nkwane, Y. Nleya, M.P. Nobela, W.H. Nobela, Z.Z. Nondudule, M.L. Ntangeni, M.E. Ntantiso, M.M. Ntsane, P.R. Ntuli, K. Ntwe, T.M.N. Nuukongo, T.T.T. Nyabote, C.T. Nyahwai, I. Nyamadzawo, K. Nyamuchiwa, R.N. Nyamugafata, H. Nyamwanza, N.B. Nyandeni, M. Nyanhongo, T. Nyasha, N. Nyathi, E. Nyikadzino, P. Olivier, T.L. Olyin, N. Othusitse, T. Otsengue, J.M. Page, T. Panganayi, T.M. Petje, T.C. Phago, B.I. Phakedi, H. Phaswana, K.G. Philo, T.L. Phophi, T.G. Phukubje, S. Phunguza, T. Poffu, S. Poswa, G.V. Potjieter, H.J. Prins, D.J. Prozesky, S.W. Qwabe, P.T. Raikane, J. Ramabu, N. Ramaremisa, D.R. Ramaridili, S. Ramaru, S.C. Ramashala, R. Ramathieledza, M. Ramavhoya, L. Ramawela, K. Ramonnye, A.A. Ramovha, T.D.O. Rampai, P. Ramudzult, M.T. Ramushu, P.M. Ramushu, K. Randau, B.D.P. Rapoo, P.E. Ratshiedana, Z.D. Ratshothe, R.S. Ravele, C. Reddy, N.B. Rekhotho, N. Rembuluwani, T. Ribeiro, K. Rikhotso, J.J. Roets, H. Rossouw, A.J. Rossouw, T. Rukono, C. Rumbidzai, K.T. Rusere, M.Y. Salojee, J. Sapsford, R. Schrywer, R.W. Sebapu, S. Seboko, M.E. Seete, J.L. Segoale, R.P. Segosapelo, M.B. Seima, T.G. Seimela, T.M. Sekoaila, P.J. Selepe, N.M. Seloadi, M.C. Sema, T. Semenya, T.S. Sepuru, B.T.V. Serutla, P.M. Seshoeni, M.G. Shabalala, M.T.V. Shabanga, M.C. Shabangu, T. Shandirwa, F.K. Shetu, A.N. Shiwalo, M. Shongwe, F.I. Shumba, M.S. Sibande, N.F. Sibisi, N.I. Sibisi, M.N. Sibiya, S.G. Sibiya, K.J. Sibiya, S.M. Sibuku, T. Silika, J.P. Silinda, W.G. Silva, C.T. Simelane, G.K. Sindumba, N.T. Singo, K. Sinthumule, M.G. Sitefane, K.C. Sithole, T.M. Sitimela, X.N. Siwela, J. Skoczynski, T.F. Skosana, G.P. Slabbert, M. Smith, M.E.G. Snyman, N. Snyman, A. Spratt, J.S. Steyn, Z. Stuurman, N. Sunduzwayo, J.C. Swanepoel, C.F.N. Tadonkeng, C. Tafadzwa, M. Takalo, A.S. Tambwe, C. Taute, R.T. Tavenga, S.S. Tema, E.N. Tembwa, M. Tharage, T. Thiba, J.L. Thobejane, M.S. Thokoane, D. Thomase, K.C. Thovhakale, T.J. Thulare, Z. Tjangura, M. Tjege, D. Tjiuongua, R.P.P. Tlhoaele, G. Tlhobolo, T. Tlhopile , S.T. Tlowana, S. Toperesu, R.L. Tseka, S.T. Tshabalala, S. Tshabalala, N.R. Tshibalo, T. Tshipani, R. Tshotheli, M. Tshukudu, M. Tshuma, M. Tsiane, C.K. Tsibuli, T. Tsiku, L.V. Tsikwe, V.T.M. Tsotsotso, M. Tuku, P.K. Twite, A.Q.Z. Tyira, A.T. Uchena, L. Valjee, C. van Aarde, M.C.J. van der Merwe, V.R. van der Merwe, S. van der Walt, R. van der Walt, J. van der Westhuizen, M. van der Westhuizen, S.M. van Wijngaarden, L. van Wyk, A. van Wyngaardt, W. van Zyl, L. Vece, H. Venter, P.M. Venter, E. Veterai, G.L. Visser, N. Vuma, A.J. Wessels, M. Wessels, T.C. Wheatley, S. Wicks, J. Witcho, K. Yabo, F. Zambezi, D.K. Zimucha, L.P. Zondo, S.L. Zulu, T.T. Zulu, F. Zvavamwe, K. Zwane.

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M.E. Makongoza, M.S. Makubasena, R. Makuku, N.P. Makwarimba, P.R. Malatji, O. Malatji, C.M. Malatji, C.M. Maleka, M.J. Maloka, S.M. Maluleka, W. Mambana, T.D. Mametja, M.J. Mampshika, G. Mampuru, F. Manan, R.L. Mandiwana, K. Mandiwana, I.P. Manenzhe, M.T. Manganyi, N.W. Mangezi, M.C. Mankuru, H.S. Mans, R. Manyadze, M.Z. Manyathela, M. Manyoba, T.H. Mapholo, T.J. Maphosa, M.G. Maphunye, K. Mapotsane, T.L. Mapoulo, A. Mapuranga, H. Maree, W.B. Maree, M. Mariba, R. Marubini, N.G. Maruping, T.L. Masehla, H. Maseru, C. Mashamba, P. Mashavhathanga, T.P. Mashiane, T. Mashike, K.M. Mashile, P.R. Mashitisho, K. Mashoene, V.L. Masiane, M.T.C. Masilo, S.O. Maskua, T. Masunda, M.S. Mathabatha, K.T. Mathabathe, I.N. Mathe, M. Matheba, K. Mathebula, T.F. Mathebula, G. Mathebula, F. Mathedimosa, M.J. Mathekga, T.C. Mathonsi, T. Matidza, A. Matita, T. Matjila, P.P. Matlala, R.P. Matlala, E.M. Matloa, T. Matlokotsi, B. Matlola, N.G. Matsanga, A.N. Matsemela, M. Matshinyatsimbi, M.E. Mavhungu, T.T. Mayisa, N.S. Mazibuko, S.G. Mazule, K.K. Mbhele, I.H. Mbodi, F.N. Mboumba, M. Mbulayeni, L. Mbuqa, H.K. Mdluli, S.M.G. Mdumela, G. Mentor, L Meyiwa, N.M. Mgiba, P. Mgwebeni, J. Mhani, N.M. Mhinou, Z.S. Mhlanga, K. Mhlanga, B.S. Mhlongo, T.G. Mhlophe, N. Mhlungu, J.S. Minnar, M.E. Mitshiabo, T.L. Mkhize, S.C. Mkhonto, I.K. Mkhwanazi, N.S. Mlotshwa, T.E. Mmethi, R. Mmola, K.J. Mmonwa, K.P. Mmotlana, M.E. Mncube, S.Z. Mntonga, O. Moagi, T.K. Moagi, A.O. Moakofi, R.J. Moeketsi, M.M. Moela, E. Moemedi, K.L. Moepi, D. Mofokeng, L. Mofokeng, T.A. Mogajane, K. Mogale, M.A. Moganedi, M.R. Mogano, T.J. Mogashane, K.L. Mogodiri, F. Mohale, M. Mohapi , M.A. Mohlala, L.D. Mohloua, T.M. Mojela, M. Mokhele, A.Z. Mokoena, P.B. Mokoena, A.T. Mokoena, B.C. Mokomele, L.K. Mokonyane, T.E. Mokoqama, O.N. Molefe, S. Molekwa, N.R. Molele, M. Molobeng, T.C. Moloi, T. Monaheng, T. Monchu, M.D. Montse, K.T. Moreme, D. Morena, T. Moretsele, F.D. Morkel, K.D. Morokong, A.P. Mosadi, K. Mosebedi, V.S. Mosebele, R. Moses, M.C. Moswatse, T.E. Moswete, P.N. Motete, P.N. Motha, W.B. Motholo, M. Mothulwe, L.D. Mothwa, T.K. Motjopi, B.Z. Motlhaping, L.M. Motlhoki, F.K. Motlogoneng, G. Motloung, I.M. Motloung, B. Motsaathebe, N. Moyo, M.H. Mpe, Y.K. Mphahlele, P.R. Mphahlele, N.B. Mphakoba, A. Mphaphuli, C.M. Mphela, M.R. Mphule, S. Mpila, B. Mpina, S.S. Mpofu, K.E. Mrwata, P.P. Mthimunye, B.P. Mthombeni, P.T. Mubaiwa, C.M. Mudau, J.N. Mudau, D. Mudau, T, Mudau, D.F. Muendane, A.T. Mugadzi, A.V. Mugari, F.K. Mukazi, M. Mukheli, N.N.B. Mukonoweshuro, P. Mukwevho, M. Mulaudzi, R. Mulovhedzi, M. Munkombwe, E. Munyikwa, E. Munzhedzi, U.Y. Murangi, L.T. Mureverwi, Z. Muruge, B. Murwira, M.L. Musariri, P.C. Musehane, F.S. Musekwa, P. Muserere, L.L. Mushavhanamadi, J.T. Mushore, M. Mushwana, N. Mutanga, K.T. Mutanga, S. Muthala, K. Muthuhadini, P. Mutimutema, N. Mutshinya, E. Muvuti, D.Q.A. Mvelase, R.I. Mwalange, A. Mwiya, D.P. Myburgh, M.N. Mzenzi, N. Naidoo, S. Nala, H.I.N. Namupolo, J.E. NaudĂŠ, T.N. Nbmakundani, R.F.Nchabeleng, M.V.Nchabeleng, N. Ndangana, D.K. Ndebele, S.G. Ndhlazi, S. Ndinisa, N.N. Ndiweni, P.S. Ndlangamanala, M. Ndlovu, P.V. Ndou,


Annual report H. Mukamba, K.B. Ngoma, B. Ngwenya, E.N. Ogunmuyiwa, L.B. Sekhokoane, T.M. Sinugo, A. Siwali, A.P. van Wyk, F.Y. Zitha.

Company Affiliates DTP Bouygues Construction, MIP Process Technologies, Technology Innovation Agency.

Members who retired

Resignations

Fellows

Fellows

R.J . Daniel, E. Ford, D .A. Giese, T.G. Heslop, K .G. Kartun, P.J. Ledger, W. Marais, M.H. Moys, G.P. Murray, P.A. Noble, K.C. Owen, G.R. Parker, L.M.S. Pinel, J.M.M. Rendu, M.G. Saner, L.F. Scheepers, M.E. Smith, D .A. Spencer.

B.A .Montpellier, G. Ashworth, B, Broekman, I.D. Cockerill.

Retired Fellows P.N. Vernon.

Members

Members

A.C. Botha, K.G. Fisher, C.P.J.B. Jeppe.

F.H. Badenhorst, K.J. Botes, A.H. Campher, P.J. Chetty, J.B. de Jager, R. Hayes, B. Lalla, A. Lewis, C. Lucion, S.R. Machaea, W.J. Marais, D.E. Marsden, C.U. Montan, D. Nowak, D.C. Swarts, R.J. Verster, D.J. Williams.

Deceased Honorary Life Fellows L.W.P. van den Bosch, S. Budavari, J. Lurie.

Associates M. Borrett, M.A. Bouchier, U.A. Curle, F. Daliri, M.T. Frans, J.L. Mokgawa, T.E. Muzinda, J. Nhiwatiwa, L. Njenge, M.N. Phasha, L. RabĂŠ, A. Roodt, J.J. Talija, E.C. van Heerden, A.C. van Niekerk.

Fellows R. Graham, R.M. Hlatshwayo, M.K.C. Roberts

Retired Fellows I.R.M. Chaston.

Students I. Huysamen, S.R. Nichol.

Retired Members W.B. Howe.

Company Affiliates Paul Wurth International SA.

Members who were reinstated Reinstated as a Member

Members transferred to Higher Grade

I. EKitchin, L. Meyer, T. Sisya.

Transfer from Fellow to Honorary Life Fellow G.V.R. Landman, A.S. Macfarlane, R.G.B. Pickering.

Reinstated as Associates A.T. Manuwa

Transfer from Member to Fellow J.A. Buckley, C.J.N.Dempers, P. den Hoed, L.J. Gardner, C.A. Roode, J.J. van Wijk,C Williams.

Members who were re-admitted

Transfer from Associate to Member

I. Corrans.

Re-Admitted as a Retired Member

R .M. Bailey, J.R. Ballot, C.C. Ballot, G.G. Booth, E.T. Boshoff, P.C. Botes, A.J. Carr, S.C. de Jager, N.N. Gerard, E. Katsande, R. Kutama, V. Maronga, D.S. Mathebula, K. Mukuku, J. Muller, D . Muma, S.K. Murphy, C.A. Ndunguru, M.J. Nethsipale, H. Ngarivume, J. Odendaal, S. Sandres, K.D. Scott, G. Strydom, F. Taljaard, M.R. Trivabaya, D. Van Deventer, J.J. van Vuuren, J.H. Visser, V.S. Zulu.

Transfer from Associate to Student J.H. Ferreira.

Re-Admitted as a Member M.D. Adams, N. Anthony, U. Bester, A.C. Botha, J.T.M. Chauke, . de Hill, K.C. Dirapelo, M. Duddy, S.J. Hattingh, D.F. Jensen, J.M. Kanda, W.M. Kuswani, L. Lijojo, S.I.S. Mahote, L. Makwamya, D. Mamphitha, L. Matthysen, E.M. Mochubele, M.H. Motloutsi, T.D. Mudimeli, K.M. Mushonga, T. Naidoo, J. Ncube, M.A. Ralephata, B. Swarts, P. Tyobeka, M.S. van Staden.

Re-Admitted as a Associate T.D. Lekoko.

Transfer from Student to Associate M. Brendon, M. Chhiba, T.S. Kagogo, T. Kwenane, K. Lombard, R. Lombard, D.N. Makili, C. Masinamela, F.M. Mohale, K. Moothi, O. Mosikare, D.E. MĂśwes, D.T. Mudau,

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Re-Admitted as a Student T.M. Chagwedera, M. Matsebula, F.T. Mdlongwa, L.G.I. Motsepe, T.N. Phuthi, M.N. Sinchembe. N

VOLUME 115


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Annual Financial Statements The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2015

Statement of Council members’ responsibilities and approval

The Council members are required to maintain adequate accounting records and are responsible for the content and integrity of the annual financial statements and related financial information included in this report. It is their responsiblity to ensure that the annual financial statements fairly present the state of affairs of the Institute as at the end of the financial year and the results of its operations and cash flows for the period then ended, in conformity with the accounting policies appropriate to the Institute. The external auditor is engaged to express an independent opinion on the annual financial statements. The annual financial statements are prepared in accordance with the accounting policies appropriate to the Institute and are based upon appropriate accounting policies consistently applied and supported by reasonable and prudent judgements and estimates. The Council members acknowledge that they are ultimately responsible for the system of internal financial control established by the Institute and place considerable importance on maintaining a strong control environment. To enable the Council members to meet these responsibilities, the Council set standards for internal control aimed at reducing the risk of error or loss in a costeffective manner. The standards include the proper delegation of responsibilities within a clearly defined framework, effective accounting procedures, and adequate segregation of duties to ensure an acceptable level of risk. These controls are monitored throughout the Institute and all employees are required to maintain the highest ethical standards in ensuring the Institute’s business is conducted in a manner that in all reasonable circumstances is above reproach. The focus of risk management in the Institute is on identifying, assessing, managing and monitoring all known forms of risk across the Institute. While operating risk cannot be fully eliminated, the Institute endeavours to minimize it by ensuring that appropriate infrastructure, controls, systems, and ethical behaviour are applied and managed within predetermined procedures and constraints. The Council members are of the opinion, based on the information and explanations given by management, that the system of internal control provides reasonable assurance that the financial records may be relied on for the preparation of the annual financial statements. However, any system of internal financial control can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance against material misstatement or loss. The external auditor is responsible for independently reviewing and reporting on the Institute’s annual financial statements. The annual financial statements have been examined by the Institute’s external auditor and his report is presented on page 866. The annual financial statements set out on pages 867 to 879, which have been prepared on the going concern basis, were approved by the members and are signed on their behalf by:

Signed by: J.L. Porter

4 August 2015

President

Date:

Signed by: C. Musingwini

4 August 2015

Treasurer

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Date:


Annual Financial Statements

Report of the independent auditor To the members of The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy I have audited the annual financial statements of The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, which comprise the statement of financial position as at 30 June 2015, the statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in reserves, and statement of cash flow for the year then ended, and a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory notes, as set out on pages 867 to 877.

Council Members’ responsibilty for the Annual Financial Statements The Institute’s Council members are responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these annual financial statements in accordance with the accounting policies appropriate to the Institute and for such internal control as the Council members determine is necessary to enable the preparation of annual financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditor’s responsibility My responsibility is to express an opinion on these annual financial statements based on my audit. I conducted my audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing. These standards require that I comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the annual financial statements are free from material misstatement. An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the annual financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgement, including the assessment of the risk of material misstatement of the annual financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the Institute’s preparation and fair presentation of the annual financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Institute’s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the annual financial statements. I believe that the audit evidence obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for my audit opinion.

Opinion In my opinion, the annual financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy as at 30 June 2015, and its financial performance and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with the accounting policies appropriate to the Institute.

Supplementary information Without qualifying my opinion, I draw attention to the fact that supplementary information set out on pages 878 to 879 does not form part of the annual financial statements and is presented as additional information. I have not audited this information and accordingly do not express an opinion thereon. AUDITOR: R.H. Kitching Chartered Accountant (S.A.) Registered Accountant and Auditor

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Annual Financial Statements The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Statement of Financial Position for the year ended 30 June 2015

Note

2015 R

2014 R

2 3 4

189 214 32 155 290

178 497 9 791 29 957 445

32 344 504

30 145 733

210 487 1 532 391 3 699 125

203 391 1 459 503 7 136 413

5 442 003

8 799 307

37 786 507

38 945 040

8

4 998 949 32 074 915 37 073 864

4 783 683 32 061 650 36 845 333

3

215 209

-

202 967 51 365 243 102

1 758 122 82 180 259 405

497 434

2 099 707

712 643

2 099 707

37 786 507

38 945 040

Assets Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment Loan to associate entity Other financial assets

Current assets Inventories Trade and other receivables Cash and cash equivalents

5 6 7

Total assets

Reserves and liabilities Reserves Reserves Retained income

Non-Current liabilities Loan from associate entity Current liabilities Trade and other payables Deferred income Provisions

Total liabilities Total reserves and liabilities

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Liabilities


Annual Financial Statements The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year ended 30 June 2015

Note

Revenue Cost of sales Gross profit Other income Operating expenses Operating surplus Investment revenue Royalties OneMine Fair value adjustments Finance costs Surplus for the year

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2015 R

2014 R

17 308 745 (13 263 913)

17 102 755 (12 736 233)

4 044 832 1 592 400 (7 035 335)

4 366 522 2 534 748 (6 700 453)

(1 398 103) 918 701 54 093 498 945 (60 371)

200 817 678 185 52 209 4 671 867 (67 574)

13 265

5 535 504


Annual Financial Statements The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Statement of Changes in Reserves for the year ended 30 June 2015

Retained incomes R

Total reserves R

4 577 687

26 526 146

31 103 833

– 205 996

5 535 504 -

5 535 504 205 996

205 996

5 535 504

5 741 500

4 783 683

32 061 650

36 845 333

– 215 266

13 265 -

13 265 215 266

215 266

13 265

228 531

4 998 949

32 074 915

37 073 864

Total changes Balance at 1 July 2014 Changes in reserves Surplus for the year Transfer of interest Total changes Balance at 30 June 2015 Note(s)

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Balance at 1 July 2013 Changes in reserves Surplus for the year Transfer of interest

Funds


Annual Financial Statements The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended 30 June 2015 Note 2015 R

2014 R

(3 534 904) 136 914 781 787 (60 371)

(1 577 383) 74 571 603 614 (67 574)

(2 676 574)

(966 772)

(75 251) 225 000 (1 125 729)

(26 288) (50 499) (163 048)

(975 980)

(239 835)

215 266

205 996

(3 437 288) 7 136 413

(1 000 611) 8 137 024

3 699 125

7 136 413

Cash flows from operating activities Cash generated from (used in) operations Interest income Dividends received Finance costs

11

Net cash from operating activites

Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of property, plant and equipment Loans received/(advanced) to associate entity Purchase of investments

2

Net cash from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities Interest allocated to fund investments Total cash movement for the year Cash at the beginning of the year Total cash at end of the year

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Annual Financial Statements The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Notes to the annual financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2015

Accounting policies 1.

Presentation of annual financial statements The annual financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting policies appropriate to the Institute. The annual financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, except for the measurement of certain financial instruments at fair value, and incorporate the principal accounting policies set out below. They are presented in South African rands. These accounting policies are consistent with the previous year.

1.1

Significant judgements and sources of estimation uncertainty In preparing the annual financal statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts represented in the annual financial statements and related disclosures. Use of available information and the application of judgement is inherent in the formation of estimates. Actual results in the future could differ from these estimates which may be material to the annual financial statements. Significant judgements include: Provisions Provisions were raised and management determined an estimate based on the information available. Inventories The inventories of publications are held and sold by the Institute for its own account and on behalf of its publishing partners who have underwritten some of the publications. The inventories are reflected in the financial statements at nominal value. The inventories of authors’ gifts and stock held from conferences are carried at cost. Provision is made for impairment.

1.2

Property, plant and equipment The cost of an item of property, plant and equipment is recognized as an asset when: • It is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Institute; and • The cost of the item can be measured reliably. Maintenance and repairs which neither materially add to the value of assets nor appreciably prolong their useful lives are charged against income. Property, plant, and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment losses. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method to write off the depreciable amount of items, other than land, over their estimated useful lives, using a method that reflects the pattern in which the assets’ future economic benefits are expected to be consumed by the Institute. Depreciation is provided on leasehold improvements over the remaining period of the lease. Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the proceeds with the carrying amount and are recognized in surplus or deficit in the period.

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The depreciation charge for each period is recognized in surplus or deficit. Medals, plaques, dies and banners are recorded at nominal values.


Annual Financial Statements The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Notes to the annual financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2015

Accounting policies 1.3

Impairment of assets The Institute assesses at each reporting period date whether there is any indication that an asset may be impaired. If any such indication exists, the Institute estimates the recoverable amount of the asset. If the recoverable amount of an asset is less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its recoverable amount. That reduction is an impairment loss. An impairment loss of assets carried at cost less any accumulated depreciation or amortization is recognized immediately in surplus or deficit. Any impairment loss of a revalued asset is treated as a revaluation decrease.

1.4

Financial instruments Initial recognition The Institute classifies financial instruments, or their component parts, on initial recognition as a financial asset, a financial liability, or an equity instrument in accordance with the substance of the contractual arrangement. Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognized on the Institute’s balance sheet when the Institute becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Financial assets and liabilities are recognized initially at cost; any transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or issue of the financial instrument are added to the cost. Subsequent measurement After initial measurement, financial assets are measured as follows: • Loans and receivables and held-to-maturity investments are measured at amortized cost less any impairment losses recognized to reflect irrecoverable amounts. Afters initial recognition, financial instruments at fair value through surplus or deficit are subsequently measured at fair value, with gains and losses arising from changes in fair value being included in surplus or deficit for the period. After initial recognition, financial liabilities are measured as follows: • Financial liabilities at fair value through surplus or deficit, including derivatives that are liabilities, are measured at fair value. • Other financial liabilities are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. Gains and losses A gain or loss arising from a change in a financial asset or financial liability is recognized as follows: • Where financial assets and financial liabilities are carried at amortized cost, a gain or loss is recognized in surplus or deficit through the amortization process and when the financial asset or financial liability is derecognized or impaired. • A gain or loss on a financial asset or financial liability classified as fair value through surplus or deficit is recognized in surplus or deficit.

1.5

Inventories Inventories are measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. The cost of inventories comprises all costs of purchase, costs of conversion, and other costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale.

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Annual Financial Statements The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Notes to the annual financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2015

Accounting policies 1.6

Provisions and contingencies Provisions are recognized when: • The Institute has an obligation at the reporting period date as a result of a past event; • It is probable that the Institute will be required to transfer economic benefits in settlement; and • The amount of the obligation can be estimated reliably. Provisions are not recognized for future operating losses. Provisions are measured at the present value of the amount expected to be required to settle the obligation. The increase in the provision due to the passage of time is recognized as interest expense.

1.7

Revenue Revenue is recognized to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Institute and the revenue can be reliably measured. Interest is recognized, in profit or loss, using the effective interest rate method. Donations are recognized as and when received.

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Dividends are recognized, in profit or loss, when the Institute’s right to receive payment is established.


Annual Financial Statements The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Notes to the annual financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2015 (Continued) 2.

Property, plant and equipment 2015

3.

2014

Cost/ Valuation

Accumulated depreciation

Carrying value

Cost/ Valuation

Accumulated depreciation

Carrying value

Furniture and fixtures Office equiment IT equipment

395 554 31 955 1 181 450

(351 693) (9 579) (1 058 473)

43 861 22 376 122 977

395 554 19 529 1 118 624

(342 056) (5 290) (1 007 864)

53 498 14 239 110 760

Total

1 608 959

(1 419 745)

189 214

1 533 707

(1 355 210)

178 497

Reconciliation of property, plant and equipment - 2015

Opening balance

Additions

Depreciation

Total

Furniture and fixtures Office equipment IT equipment

53 498 14 239 110 760

12 426 62 825

(9 637) (4 289) (50 608)

43 861 22 376 122 977

178 497

75 251

(64 534)

189 214

Reconciliation of property, plant and equipment - 2014

Opening balance

Additions

Depreciation

Total

Furniture and fixtures Office equipment IT equipment

65 762 6 205 142 630

1 842 10 449 13 997

(14 106) (2 415) (45 867)

53 498 14 239 110 760

214 597

26 288

(62 388)

178 497

(215 209)

9 791

(215 209)

9 791 -

(215 209)

9 791

Loan to associate entity Associate Entity

The SAIMM Scholarship Fund The loan is unsecured, interest free with no fixed terms of repayment. Non-current assets Non-current liabilities

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Annual Financial Statements The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Notes to the annual financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2015 (Continued)

2015 R 4.

2014 R

Other financial assets At fair value

Listed shares Bonds

Non-current assets At fair value

5.

6.

Inventories Finished goods

29 957 445 -

32 155 290

29 957 445

32 155 290

29 957 445

210 487

203 391

1 479 448 52 943

1 457 086 2 417

1 532 391

1 459 503

26 752 852 019 2 816 154 4 200

30 838 798 512 6 302 463 4 600

3 699 125

7 136 413

Trade and other receiveables Trade receiveables Franking machine

7.

29 830 527 2 324 763

Cash and cash equivalents Cash on hand Bank balances Short-term deposits Investment settlement account

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Cash and cash equivalents consist of:


Annual Financial Statements The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Notes to the annual financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2015 (continued) 2015 R 8.

2014 R

Funds Balance at beginning of year Interest received

4 783 683 215 266

4 577687 205 996

Balance at end of year

4 998 949

4 783 683

773 924 34 827

740 597 33 327

808 751

773 924

7 053 318

6 750 303

7 371

7 053

1 174 158 52 837

1 123 596 50 562

1 226 995

1 174 158

494 208 22 240

472 927 21 281

516 448

494 208

2 122 472 95 511

2 031 074 91 398

2 217 983

2 122 472

134 682 6 061

128 882 5 800

140 743

134 682

Comprising: Prof. R.E. Robinson Fund (Book Publications Fund) Balance at beginning of year Interest received

Brigadier Stokes Memorial Fund Balance at beginning of year Interest received

P.W.J. van Rensburg Memorial Fund (Education Fund) Balance at beginning of year Interest received

MacArthur Forrest Memorial Fund (Awards Fund) Balance at beginning of year Interest received

INFACON X Research Fund Balance at beginning of year Interest received

SANCOT Fund Balance at beginning of year Interest received

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Annual Financial Statements The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Notes to the annual financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2015 (continued) 2015 R 8.

2014 R

Funds (continued) The Dave Ortlepp Fund

9.

Balance at beginning of year Interest received

77 185 3 473

73 861 3 324

Balance at end of year

80 658

77 185

4 998 949

4 783 683

201 069

187 038

(571 287) (54 093) (498 945) 64 534 4 146 123

(1 868 088) (52 209) (4 671 867) 62 388 3 966 306

Operating surplus Operating surplus for the year is stated after accounting for the following: Operating lease charges Premises – Contractual amounts Profit (loss) on sale of other financial assets Royalties OneMine Profit on revaluation of non-current assets held for sale Depreciation on property, plant and equipment Employee costs

10.

Taxation No provision has been made for 2015 tax as the Institute is exempt from taxation in terms of Section 10(1)(cB)(i)(ff) of the Income Tax Act. Cash generated from (used in) operations Surplus before taxation Adjustments for: Depreciation and amortization (Profit) loss on sale of assets Fair value adjustments Dividends received Interest received Finance costs Movements in provisions Changes in working capital: Inventories Trade and other receivables Trade and other payables Deferred income

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5 535 504

64 534 (573 171) (498 945) (781 787) (136 914) 60 371 (16 303)

62 388 1 868 088) (4 671 867) (603 614) (74 571) 67 574 28 607

(7 096) (72 888) (1 555 155) (30 815)

(968 461) 911 121 4 024

(3 534 904)

(1 577 383)

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11.


Annual Financial Statements The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Notes to the annual financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2015 (continued)

Detailed income statement 2015

2014

R

R

Revenue Revenue Cost of sales Gross profit

17 308 745

17 102 755

(13 263 913)

(12 736 233)

4 044 832

4 366 522

320 536

313 695

Other income Administration fees recovered Dividend revenue

781 787

603 614

Fair value adjustments

498 945

4 671 867

Gains on disposal of assets

571 287

1 868 088

Insurance claim refund Interest received Miscellaneous sales Refunds received

11 160

-

136 914

74 571

96 638

90 702

509 721

92 998

Royalties OneMine

54 093

52 209

Royalties publications

11 267

67 749

Samrec/Samval Expenses Operating profit Finance costs Profit for the year

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9

71 791

101 516

3 064 139

7 937 009

(7 035 335)

(6 700 453)

73 636 (60 371)

5 603 078 (67 574)

13 265

5 535 504


Annual Financial Statements The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Detailed income statement 2015

2014

R

R

(21 025) (60 500) (248 737) (62 086) (20 254) (3 000) (6 675) (165 412) (51 101) (77) (16 000) (64 534) (183) (4 146 123) (12 003) (118 620) (40 821) (201 069) (15 730) (34 690) (248 570) (60 000) (40 964) (1 999) (55 586) (96 127) (266 684) (9 524) (90 511) (61 486) (32 969) (41 452) (61 775) (44 211) (136 642) (59 287) (35 613) (16 000) (302 909) (49 395) (34 991)

(8 040) (57 195) (34 602) (65 786) (257 000) 9 625) (143 124) (13 290) (11 337) (12 650) (62 388) (3 966 306) (36 996) (18 353) (36 104) (31 272) (187 038) (9 453) (3 889) (210 064) (53 015) (27 500) (142 723) (113 711) (214 902) (4 246) (115 914) (12 310) (52 735) (200 000) (62 400) (3 322) (9 790) (41 003) (35 631 (30 439) (293 398) (65 892) (47 010)

(7 035 335)

(6 700 453)

AGM medals Auditor’s remuneration Bad debts Bank charges Branches Career guidance Cleaning Computer expenses Consulting fees Council dinner Delivery expenses Depreciation, amortization and impairments Discount allowed Employee costs Flowers, plants and decor General expenses Insurance Internet charges Lease rentals on operating lease Legal expenses Library services Loss on exchange differences Management fees - investments Membership internet connection Membership internet communication Minor assets written off Office bearers/councillors expenses Parking expenses Photocopier expenses President’s expenses Printing and stationary Refunds Repairs and maintenance Sancot expenses Scholarship trust fund expenses Secretarial fees Setcom/paygate charges Software expenses Staff expenses Staff welfare Student prizes Subscriptions Training Website development/maintenance

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Operating expenses


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Annual Financial Statements The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy The SAIMM Scholarship Fund (Registration number IT 6837/02) Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2015

Trustees’ responsibilities and approval

The trustees are required to maintain adequate accounting records and are responsible for the content and integrity of the annual financial statements and related financial information included in this report. It is their responsiblity to ensure that the annual financial statements fairly present the state of affairs of the fund as at the end of the financial year and the results of its operations and cash flows for the period then ended, in conformity with the accounting policies of the fund. The external auditor is engaged to express an independent opinion on the annual financial statements. The annual financial statements are prepared in accordance with the accounting policies of the fund and are based upon appropriate accounting policies consistently applied and supported by reasonable and prudent judgements and estimates. The trustees acknowledge that they are ultimately responsible for the system of internal financial control established by the fund and place considerable importance on maintaining a strong control environment. To enable the trustees to meet these responsibilities, the trustees set standards for internal control aimed at reducing the risk of error or loss in a cost-effective manner. The standards include the proper delegation of responsibilities within a clearly defined framework, effective accounting procedures, and adequate segregation of duties to ensure an acceptable level of risk. These controls are monitored throughout the fund and all employees are required to maintain the highest ethical standards in ensuring the fund’s business is conducted in a manner that in all reasonable circumstances is above reproach. The focus of risk management in the fund is on identifying, assessing, managing, and monitoring all known forms of risk across the fund. While operating risk cannot be fully eliminated, the fund endeavours to minimize it by ensuring that appropriate infrastructure, controls, systems, and ethical behaviour are applied and managed within predetermined procedures and constraints. The trustees are of the opinion that the system of internal control provides reasonable assurance that the financial records may be relied on for the preparation of the annual financial statements. However, any system of internal financial control can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance against material misstatement or loss. The external auditor is responsible for independently reviewing and reporting on the Institute’s annual financial statements. The annual financial statements have been examined by the Institute’s external auditor and his report is presented on page 882.

Signed by: J.R. Dixon

Signed by: R.P. Mohring

Chairman

Vice-chairman

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The annual financial statements set out on pages 883 to 886, which have been prepared on the going concern basis, were approved by the trustees on 4 August 2015 and were signed on their behalf by:


Annual Financial Statements

Audit Report To the members of The SAIMM Scholarship Fund I have audited the annual financial statements of The SAIMM Scholarship Fund, which comprise the statement of financial position as at 30 June 2015, the statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in reserves and statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory notes, and the trustees’ report, as set out on pages 883 to 886.

Trustees’ responsibility for the annual financial statements The fund’s trustees are responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these annual financial statements in accordance with the accounting policies of the fund, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of annual financial statements that are free from material misstatements, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditor’s responsibility My responsibility is to express an opinion on these annual financial statements based on my audit. I conducted my audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing. Those standards require that I comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the annual financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the annual financial statements. The procedures selected depend upon the auditor’s judgement, including the assessment of the risk of material misstatement of the annual financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the fund’s preparation and fair presentation of the annual financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the fund’s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the annual financial statements. I believe that the audit evidence I have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for my audit opinion.

Opinion In my opinion, the annual financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The SAIMM Scholarship Fund as at 30 June 2015 and its financial performance and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with the accounting policies of the fund.

Robert Henry Kitching Registered Auditor

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Annual Financial Statements The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy The SAIMM Scholarship Fund (Registration number IT 6837/02) Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2015

Trustees’ report The trustees submit their report for the year ended 30 June 2015. This report forms part of the annual financial statements. 1.

Registration The fund was registered as a trust on 11 November 2002 with registration number IT 6837/02. The fund can sue and be sued in its own name.

2.

Review of activities

Main business and operations •

The principal objects of the fund are to: (1) Support and promote, foster and advance the interests of the minerals industry by providing the beneficiaries with funds to be used to support the education of students in the minerals industry; (2) To collect monies and accept contributions in monies or otherwise by way of donations, bequests or otherwise and to apply the same or the income therefrom for all or any of the objects set out in (1) above.

•

The principal address of the fund is 5th Floor, Chamber of Mines Building, 5 Hollard Street, Johannesburg. The fund has no full-time employees and is administered by The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

The SAIMM Scholarship Fund (Registration number IT 6837/02) Statement of Financial Position at 30 June 2015 Note(s)

2015 R

2014 R

Assets Current Assets The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy

2

215 209

-

215 209

-

Founding settlement

1 000

1 000

Accumulated surplus

214 209

(10 791)

215 209

(9 791)

-

9 791

215 209

-

Total Assets Reserves and Liabilities Reserves

Liabilities The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy

2

Total Equity and Liabilities

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Current Liabilities


Annual Financial Statements The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy The SAIMM Scholarship Fund (Registration number IT 6837/02) Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year ended 30 June 2015 Note(s)

2015 R

2014 R

Donations received Donations and expenses

225 000 -

321 500 (371 999)

Operating (deficit) surplus

225 000

(50 499)

(Deficit) Surplus for the year Other comprehensive income

225 000 -

(50 499) -

Total comprehensive (loss) income for the year

225 000

(50 499)

Statement of Changes in Reserves for the year ended 30 June 2015 Contribution

Balance at 1 July 2013

Accumulated (deficit)/surplus R

Total reserves R

1 000

39 708

40 708

Changes in reserves Total comprehensive income for the year

-

(50 499)

(50 499)

Total changes

-

(50 499)

(50 499)

1 000

(10 791)

(9791)

Changes in reserves Total comprehensive deficit for the year

-

225 000

225 000

Total changes

-

225 000

225 000

1 000

214 209

215 209

Balance at 1 July 2014

Balance at 30 June 2015

Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended 30 June 2015 Note(s)

2015 R

2014 R

Cash flows from operating activities Cash generated from (used in) operations

225 000

(50 499)

Loans advance Proceeds from loans payable

(225 000) -

50 499

Net cash from investing activities

(225 000)

50 499

Cash flows from investing activities

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Annual Financial Statements The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy The SAIMM Scholarship Fund (Registration number IT 6837/02) Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2015

Accounting policies 1.

Presentation of Annual Financial Statements The annual financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting policies of the fund. The annual financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, and incorporate the principal accounting policies set out below. They are presented in South African rands. These accounting policies are consistent with the previous period.

1.1

Significant judgements In preparing the annual financial statements, the trustees are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts represented in the annual financial statements and related disclosures. Use of available information and the application of judgement is inherent in the formation of estimates. Actual results in the future could differ from these estimates, which may be material to the annual financial statements.

1.2

Financial instruments 1.2.1 Initial recognition The fund classifies financial instruments, or their component parts, on initial recognition as a financial asset, a financial liability or an equity instrument in accordance with the substance of the contractual arrangement. Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognized on the fund’s balance sheet when the fund becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Financial assets and liabilities are recognized initially at cost; transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or issue of the financial instrument are added to the cost. 1.2.2 Subsequent measurement After initial recognition, financial assets are measured as follows: •

Loans and receivables and held-to-maturity investments are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method

•

Investments in equity instruments that do not have a quoted market price in an active market and whose fair value cannot be reliably measured, are measured at cost

•

Other financial assets, including derivatives, at fair values, without any deduction for transaction costs, which may arise on sale or other disposal.

After initial recognition, financial liabilities are measured as follows:

1.3

•

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss, including derivatives that are liabilities, are measured at fair value

•

Other financial liabilities are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method.

Loans receivable/payable This includes a loan to The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy; the loan earns no interest, nor does it have any terms of repayment. This loan is carried at cost.

1.4

Revenue

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Revenue comprises contributions received from donors and is recognized on receipt.


Annual Financial Statements The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy The SAIMM Scholarship Fund (Registration number IT 6837/02) Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2015

2015 R

2014 R

2. Loans to (from) group companies Loans payable The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy The loan is unsecured, interest free with no fixed terms of repayment. Current assets Current liabilities

215 209

(9 791)

215 209

-

-

(9 791)

215 209

(9 791)

3. Taxation The fund is exempt from tax in terms of Section 18A of the Income Tax Act.

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Annual Financial Statements The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy The SAIMM Western Cape Branch (Registration number IT 6837/02) Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2015

Statement of council members’ responsibilities and approval

The council members are required to maintain adequate accounting records and are responsible for the content and integrity of the annual financial statements and related financial information included in this report. It is their responsiblity to ensure that the annual financial statements fairly present the state of affairs of the branch as at the end of the financial year and the results of its operations and cash flows for the period then ended in conformity with the accounting policies appropriate to the Institute. The external auditor is engaged to express an independent opinion on the annual financial statements. The annual financial statements are prepared in accordance with the accounting policies appropriate to the Institute and are based upon appropriate accounting policies consistently applied and supported by reasonable and prudent judgements and estimates. The council members acknowledge that they are ultimately responsible for the system of internal financial control established by the branch and place considerable importance on maintaining a strong control environment. To enable the council members to meet these responsibilities, the members set standards for internal control aimed at reducing the risk of error or loss in a cost-effective manner. The standards include the proper delegation of responsibilities within a clearly defined framework, effective accounting procedures, and adequate segregation of duties to ensure an acceptable level of risk. These controls are monitored throughout the branch and all employees are required to maintain the highest ethical standards in ensuring the Institute’s business is conducted in a manner that in all reasonable circumstances is above reproach. The focus of risk management in the branch is on identifying, assessing, managing, and monitoring all known forms of risk across the fund. While operating risk cannot be fully eliminated, the branch endeavours to minimize it by ensuring that appropriate infrastructure, controls, systems, and ethical behaviour are applied and managed within predetermined procedures and constraints. The council members are of the opinion, based on the information and explanations given by management, that the system of internal control provides reasonable assurance that the financial records may be relied on for the preparation of the annual financial statements. However, any system of internal financial control can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance against material misstatement or loss. The external auditor is responsible for independently reviewing and reporting on the branch’s annual financial statements. The annual financial statements have been examined by the Institute’s external auditor and his report is presented on page 888.

Signed by: J.L. Porter

Signed by: C.G. Sweet

President

Treasurer

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The annual financial statements set out on pages 889 to 892, which have been prepared on the going concern basis, were approved by the board and were signed on their behalf by:


Annual Financial Statements

Audit Report To the members of The SAIMM Western Cape Branch I have audited the annual financial statements of The SAIMM Western Cape Branch, which comprise the statement of financial position as at 30 June 2015, the statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in reserves and statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory notes, as set out on pages 889 to 892.

Council Members’ responsibility for the annual financial statements The Institute’s council members are responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these annual financial statements in accordance with the accounting policies appropriate to the Institute, and for such internal control as the council members determine is necessary to enable the preparation of annual financial statements that are free from material misstatements, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditor’s responsibility My responsibility is to express an opinion on these annual financial statements based on my audit. I conducted my audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing. Those standards require that I comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the annual financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the annual financial statements. The procedures selected depend upon the auditor’s judgement, including the assessment of the risk of material misstatement of the annual financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the Institute’s preparation and fair presentation of the annual financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the branches internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the annual financial statements. I believe that the audit evidence I have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for my audit opinion.

Opinion In my opinion, the annual financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The SAIMM Western Cape Branch as at 30 June 2015 and its financial performance and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with the accounting policies appropriate to the Institute.

Supplementary information Without qualifying my opinion, I draw attention to the fact that supplementary information set out on page 892 does not form part of the annual financial statements and is presented as additional information. I have not audited this information and accordingly do not express an opinion thereon. Robert Henry Kitching Registered Auditor

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VOLUME 115


Annual Financial Statements The SAIMM Western Cape Branch (Registration number IT 6837/02) Statement of Financial Position at 30 June 2015 Note(s)

2015 R

Assets Current assets Trade and other receivables Cash and cash equivalents

2 3

65 887 738 037 803 924

Total assets

803 924

Reserves and liabilities Reserves Retained income

771 390

Liabilities Current liabilities The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Trade and other payables

4

22 356 10 178 32 534

Total Equity and liabilities

803 924

The SAIMM Western Cape Branch (Registration number IT 6837/02) Statement of Comprehensive Income at 30 June 2015 Note(s)

2015 R

Revenue Cost of sales

320 859 (567 142)

Gross loss Other income Operating expenses

(246 283) 1 703 (30 755)

Operating surplus Investment revenue Royalties OneMine

5

(275 335) 28 582 298 696

51 943

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Surplus for the year


Annual Financial Statements The SAIMM Western Cape Branch (Registration number IT 6837/02) Statement of Changes in Reserves at 30 June 2015 Retained income Balance at 01 July 2014

Total reserves

719 447

719 447

Changes in reserves Surplus for the year

51 943

51 943

Total changes

51 943

51 943

771 390

771 390

Balance at 30 June 2015

The SAIMM Western Cape Branch (Registration number IT 6837/02) Statement of Changes in Reserves at 30 June 2015 Note(s)

2015

Cash flows from operating activities Cash used in oprations Interest income

7

Net cash from operating activities

(32 348) 28 582 (3 766)

Cash flows from investing activities Loans advanced to associated entity

22 356

Net cash from investing activities

22 356

Total cash movement for the year Opening balance on cash and cash equivalents Total cash at end of the year

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18 590 719 447 3

738 037


Annual Financial Statements The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy The SAIMM Western Cape Branch (Registration number IT 6837/02) Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2015

Accounting policies 1.

Presentation of Annual Financial Statements The annual financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting policies of the fund. The annual financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis. They are presented in South African rands. These is the first year of operations.

1.1

Significant judgements and sources of estimation uncertainty In preparing the annual financial statements, the trustees are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts represented in the annual financial statements and related disclosures. Use of available information and the application of judgement is inherent in the formation of estimates. Actual results in the future could differ from these estimates, which may be material to the annual financial statements. Significant judgements include:

Provisions Provisions were raised and management determined an estimate based on the information available. 1.2

Impairment of assets The Institute assesses at each reporting period date whether there is any indication that an asset may be impaired. If any such indication exists, the Institute estimates the recoverable amount of the asset. If the recoverable amount of an asset is less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its recoverable amount. That reduction is an impairment loss. An impairment loss of assets carried at cost less any accumulated depreciation or amortisatioon is recognised immediately in surplus or deficit. Any impairment loss of a revalued asset is treated as a revaluation decrease.

1.3

Provisions and contingencies Provisions are recognised when: •

The Institute has an obligation at the reporting period date as a result of a past event

•

It is probable that the Institute will be required to transfer economic benefits in settlement and

•

The amount of the obligation can be estimated reliable

Provisions are not recognised for future operating losses. Provisions are measured at the predent value of the amount expected to be required to settle the obligation. The increaase in the provision due to the passage of time is recognised as interest expense. 1.4

Revenue Revenue is recognised to the exyenty that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Institute and the revenue can be reliable measured. Interest is recognised, in profit or loss, using the effective interest rate method. Donations are recognised as and when received.

VOLUME 115

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Dividends are recognised, in profit or loss, when the Institute’s right to receive payment has been established.


Annual Financial Statements The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy The SAIMM Western Cape Branch (Registration number IT 6837/02) Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year ended 30 June 2015 Note(s)

2015

Revenue Cost of sales

320 859 (567 142)

Gross loss Other income Operating expenses

(246 283) 1 703 (30 755)

Operating surplus Investment revenue Royalties OneMine

5

Surplus for the year

(275 335) 28 582 298 6967 51 943

The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy The SAIMM Western Cape Branch (Registration number IT 6837/02) Statement of Changes in Reserves for the year ended 30 June 2015

Balance at 01 July 2014 Changes in reserves Surplus for the year Total changes Balance at 30 June 2015

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VOLUME 115

Retained income

Total reserves

719 447

719 447

51 943

51 943

51 943

51 943

771 390

771 390


14–17 March 2016, Gaborone International Convention Centre Workshop: 14 March 2016 Conference: 15–16 March 2016 Technical Visit: 17 March 2016 BACKGROUND eing the sixth conference in the series, the Diamonds—still Sparkling Conference targets the full spectrum of the diamond pipeline from exploration through to sales and marketing. The last conference was held in 2013 at Misty Hills, Muldersdrift: the 2016 conference is returning to Botswana which previously hosted in 2010.

Photographs of diamonds courtesy of Petra Diamonds

B

Sponsors:

he objective of the conference will be to provide a forum for the dissemination of information relating to the latest mining methods and technologies applicable to the diamond mining industry. This will consider all stages of the value chain, from exploration through mine design, drilling and blasting production, and processing, to cutting, marketing and sales.

T

> Processing engineers > Mining engineers > Geotechnical engineers > Geologists > Consultants > Suppliers

> > > > > >

Cutting and polishing Marketing and sales Diamontiers Mine managers Mining companies Students mining industry

> Geology and exploration > Mine expansion projects > Mining, metallurgical and beneficiation technology > Rough diamond sales and marketing > Cutting and polishing > Financial services and industry analysis > Industry governance and legislation update > Mine specific case studies

Conference Supporter Media Partner

For further information contact: Yolanda Ramokgadi • Conferencing co-ordinator ¡ SAIMM, P O Box 61127, Marshalltown 2107 Tel: (011) 834-1273/7 • Fax: (011) 833-8156 or (011) 838-5923 E-mail: yolanda@saimm.co.za • Website: http://www.saimm.co.za


THE SAMREC/SAMVAL COMPANION VOLUME CONFERENCE An Industry Standard for Mining Professionals in South Africa

17–18 May 2016, Johannesburg BACKGROUND The SAMREC and SAMVAL Codes have been updated and will be released in 2016. In the process of updating these Codes numerous aspects were discussed that required more explanation and guidelines than could be included in the codes. In addition it was noted that the SAMCODES have no recognised guidelines or recognised standards, besides the coal commodity specific SANS 10320 National Standard

OBJECTIVES

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

The conference provides Competent Persons and Competent Valuators the opportunity to prepare and present details of recognised standards and industry benchmarks in all aspects of the SAMREC and SAMVAL Codes. These contributions will be collated into a Companion Volume to provide a guideline and industry standard for the public reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves and the Valuation of Mineral Projects. The conference will provide a wide range of information pertaining to industry best practice including aspects of a various geological deposit types, commodities, permitting and legal obligations, resource estimation, mining engineering methodologies, metallurgical and process arrangements, engineering/infrastructure design, social and environmental factors etc for SAMREC Code reporting. Other papers will cover the application of the various methods of valuation and where and when they should be applied in accordance with the SAMVAL Code. This is a valuable opportunity to be involved in the compilation of industry standards and benchmarks to support in all fields related to the SAMREC and SAMVAL Codes.

The conference provides a platform for:

Cost Approach

Exploration Targets

Mineral Reserves

Reporting of Exploration Results Exploration Targets Target generation

The modifying factors Selecting a mining method Metallurgy Markets Optimal mine scheduling Cut-off grades Feasibility studies Risk assessment in Resource and Reserve Classification and reporting Grade reconciliation

Geological data collection Drilling techniques and drilling density Bulk density Sampling theory QA/QC Sampling and analysis protocols Geological interpretation and geological modelling Mineral Resource estimation Conditional simulation Mineral Resource estimation Classification and reporting Audits and reviews Deleterious elements/minerals

Resource geologists Resource investors Project Finance Practitioners Exploration geologists Geoscientists Mining engineers Mineral Resource and Reserve managers Mineral Resource and Reserve practitioners Competent Valuators.

SAMVAL CODE

SAMREC CODE

Mineral Resources

Other Aspects Legal aspects Environmental Sustainability issues Social and labour planning

Diamond Resource and Reserve Reporting Coal Resource and Reserve Reporting

Valuation of exploration properties using the cost approach

Market Approach A review of market-based approaches Valuation of mineral properties without Mineral Resources Valuation methods for exploration properties and undeveloped Mineral Resources

Cashflow Approach A Review of cashflow approaches Discounted cash flow analysis input parameters and sensitivity Discounted cash flow analysis methodology and discount rates The valuation of advanced mining projects and operating mines Valuing mineral opportunities as options

For further information contact: Head of Conferencing, Raymond van der Berg SAIMM, P O Box 61127, Marshalltown 2107 Tel: (011) 834-1273/7, Fax: (011) 833-8156 or (011) 838-5923 E-mail: raymond@saimm.co.za · Website: http://www.saimm.co.za


POWERROC T50 A TRUSTED PERFORMER Everything about the PowerROC T50 says performance and ease of ownership because of its straight forward design and Atlas Copco technology. .BJO #FOFmUT t 3FMJBCJMJUZ UPVHI "UMBT $PQDP RVBMJUZ t )JHI QFSGPSNBODF GBTU QFOFUSBUJPO SBUFT HJWF NPSF NFUSFT QFS TIJGU t &BTZ BOE RVJDL QPTJUJPOJOH UIBOLT UP UIF FYUFOEBCMF CPPN Atlas Copco South Africa 1IPOF 'BY *OOFT 3PBE +FU 1BSL #PLTCVSH www.atlascopco.co.za


INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES 2015

2016

28 September-2 October 2015 — World Gold Conference 2015 Misty Hills Country Hotel and Conference Centre, Cradle of Humankind, Gauteng, South Africa Contact: Camielah Jardine Tel: +27 11 834-1273/7 Fax: +27 11 838-5923/833-8156, E-mail: camielah@saimm.co.za Website: http://www.saimm.co.za

14–17 March 2016 — Diamonds still Sparkle 2016 Conference Gaborone International Convention Centre Contact: Yolanda Ramokgadi Tel: +27 11 834-1273/7 Fax: +27 11 838-5923/833-8156 E-mail: yolanda@saimm.co.za Website: http://www.saimm.co.za

20 October 2015 — 13th Annual Southern African Student Colloquium Mintek, Randburg Contact: Yolanda Ramokgadi Tel: +27 11 834-1273/7 Fax: +27 11 838-5923/833-8156 E-mail: yolanda@saimm.co.za Website: http://www.saimm.co.za 21–22 October 2015 — Young Professionals 2015 Conference Making your own way in the minerals industry Mintek, Randburg Contact: Camielah Jardine Tel: +27 11 834-1273/7 Fax: +27 11 838-5923/833-8156 E-mail: camielah@saimm.co.za Website: http://www.saimm.co.za 28–30 October 2015 — AMI: Nuclear Materials Development Network Conference Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, North Campus Conference Centre, Port Elizabeth Contact: Raymond van der Berg Tel: +27 11 834-1273/7 Fax: +27 11 838-5923/833-8156 E-mail: raymond@saimm.co.za Website: http://www.saimm.co.za 8–12 November 2015 — MPES 2015: Twenty Third International Symposium on Mine Planning & Equipment Selection Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa Contact: Raj Singhal E-mail: singhal@shaw.ca or E-mail: raymond@saimm.co.za Website: http://www.saimm.co.za

17–18 May 2016 — The SAMREC/SAMVAL Companion Volume Conference Johannesburg Contact: Raymond van der Berg Tel: +27 11 834-1273/7 Fax: +27 11 838-5923/833-8156 E-mail: raymond@saimm.co.za Website: http://www.saimm.co.za 21–28 May 2016 — ALTA 2016 Perth, Western Australia Contact: Allison Taylor Tel: +61 (0) 411 692 442 E-mail: allisontaylor@altamet.com.au Website: http://www.altamet.com.au 9–10 June 2016 — New technology and innovation in the Minerals Industry Colloquium Mintek, Randburg Contact: Camielah Jardine Tel: +27 11 834-1273/7 Fax: +27 11 838-5923/833-8156 E-mail: camielah@saimm.co.za Website: http://www.saimm.co.za 1–3 August 2016 — Hydrometallurgy Conference 2016 ‘Sustainability and the Environment’ in collaboration with MinProc and the Western Cape Branch Cape Town Contact: Yolanda Ramokgadi Tel: +27 11 834-1273/7 Fax: +27 11 838-5923/833-8156 E-mail: yolanda@saimm.co.za Website: http://www.saimm.co.za 16–18 August 2016 — The Tenth International Heavy Minerals Conference ‘Expanding the horizon’ Sun City, South Africa Contact: Camielah Jardine Tel: +27 11 834-1273/7 Fax: +27 11 838-5923/833-8156 E-mail: camielah@saimm.co.za Website: http://www.saimm.co.za

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12–14 October 2015 — Slope Stability 2015: International Symposium on slope stability in open pit mining and civil engineering In association with the Surface Blasting School 15–16 October 2015 Cape Town Convention Centre, Cape Town Contact: Raymond van der Berg Tel: +27 11 834-1273/7 Fax: +27 11 838-5923/833-8156 E-mail: raymond@saimm.co.za Website: http://www.saimm.co.za


Company Affiliates The following organizations have been admitted to the Institute as Company Affiliates AECOM SA (Pty) Ltd

Elbroc Mining Products (Pty) Ltd

Namakwa Sands (Pty) Ltd

AEL Mining Services Limited

Engineering and Project Company Ltd

New Concept Mining (Pty) Limited

Air Liquide (PTY) Ltd

eThekwini Municipality

Northam Platinum Ltd - Zondereinde

AMEC Mining and Metals

Exxaro Coal (Pty) Ltd

Osborn Engineered Products SA (Pty) Ltd

AMIRA International Africa (Pty) Ltd

Exxaro Resources Limited

ANDRITZ Delkor(Pty) Ltd

Fasken Martineau

Anglo Operations Ltd

FLSmidth Minerals (Pty) Ltd

Anglo Platinum Management Services (Pty) Ltd

Fluor Daniel SA (Pty) Ltd

Anglogold Ashanti Ltd Atlas Copco Holdings South Africa (Pty) Limited

Outotec (RSA) (Proprietary) Limited PANalytical (Pty) Ltd Paterson and Cooke Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd

Franki Africa (Pty) Ltd Johannesburg

Polysius A Division Of Thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions (Pty) Ltd

Fraser Alexander Group

Precious Metals Refiners Rand Refinery Limited

Glencore

Aurecon South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Redpath Mining (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd

Goba (Pty) Ltd

Rosond (Pty) Ltd

Aveng Moolmans (Pty) Ltd

Hall Core Drilling (Pty) Ltd

Axis House (Pty) Ltd

Hatch (Pty) Ltd

Bafokeng Rasimone Platinum Mine

Herrenknecht AG

Barloworld Equipment -Mining

HPE Hydro Power Equipment (Pty) Ltd

Rustenburg Platinum Mines Limited

BASF Holdings SA (Pty) Ltd

Impala Platinum Limited

SAIEG

Bateman Minerals and Metals (Pty) Ltd

IMS Engineering (Pty) Ltd

Salene Mining (Pty) Ltd

BCL Limited

JENNMAR South Africa

Becker Mining (Pty) Ltd

Joy Global Inc. (Africa)

Sandvik Mining and Construction Delmas (Pty) Ltd

BedRock Mining Support (Pty) Ltd

Leco Africa (Pty) Limited

Sandvik Mining and Construction RSA(Pty) Ltd

Bell Equipment Company (Pty) Ltd

Longyear South Africa (Pty) Ltd

SANIRE

Blue Cube Systems (Pty) Ltd

Lonmin Plc

Sasol Mining(Pty) Ltd

Bluhm Burton Engineering (Pty) Ltd

Ludowici Africa

Scanmin Africa (Pty) Ltd

Blyvooruitzicht Gold Mining Company Ltd

Lull Storm Trading (PTY)Ltd T/A Wekaba Engineering

Sebilo Resources (Pty) Ltd

Magnetech (Pty) Ltd

Senmin International (Pty) Ltd

Magotteaux(PTY) LTD

Shaft Sinkers (Pty) Limited

MBE Minerals SA Pty Ltd

Sibanye Gold (Pty) Ltd

MCC Contracts (Pty) Ltd

Smec SA

MDM Technical Africa (Pty) Ltd

SMS Siemag South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Metalock Industrial Services Africa (Pty)Ltd

SNC Lavalin (Pty) Ltd

Metorex Limited

Sound Mining Solutions (Pty) Ltd

BSC Resources CAE Mining (Pty) Limited Caledonia Mining Corporation CDM Group CGG Services SA Chamber of Mines Concor Mining Concor Technicrete Council for Geoscience Library CSIR-Natural Resources and the Environment

Royal Bafokeng Platinum Roymec Tecvhnologies (Pty) Ltd Runge Pincock Minarco Limited

Metso Minerals (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd Minerals Operations Executive (Pty) Ltd MineRP Holding (Pty) Ltd

SENET

South 32 SRK Consulting SA (Pty) Ltd Technology Innovation Agency Time Mining and Processing (Pty) Ltd

Department of Water Affairs and Forestry

Mintek

Deutsche Securities (Pty) Ltd

MIP Process Technologies

Digby Wells and Associates

Modular Mining Systems Africa (Pty) Ltd

Umgeni Water

Downer EDI Mining

MSA Group (Pty) Ltd

VBKOM Consulting Engineers

DRA Mineral Projects (Pty) Ltd

Multotec (Pty) Ltd

Webber Wentzel

DTP Mining

Murray and Roberts Cementation

Weir Minerals Africa

Duraset

Nalco Africa (Pty) Ltd

WorleyParsons (Pty) Ltd

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xiv

Tomra Sorting Solutions Mining (Pty) Ltd Ukwazi Mining Solutions (Pty) Ltd


IP

PONSORSH

EXHIBITS/S

sor ishing to spon Companies w ese th of y an at t and/or exhibi contact the events should rdinator -o conference co ssible as soon as po

SAIMM DIARY 2015 or the past 120 years, the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, has promoted technical excellence in the minerals industry. We strive to continuously stay at the cutting edge of new developments in the mining and metallurgy industry. The SAIMM acts as the corporate voice for the mining and metallurgy industry in the South African economy. We actively encourage contact and networking between members and the strengthening of ties. The SAIMM offers a variety of conferences that are designed to bring you technical knowledge and information of interest for the good of the industry. Here is a glimpse of the events we have lined up for 2015. Visit our website for more information.

F

N CONFERENCE World Gold Conference 2015 28 September–2 October 2015, Misty Hills Country Hotel and Conference Centre, Cradle of Humankind, Muldersdrift N SYMPOSIUM International Symposium on slope stability in open pit mining and civil engineering 12–14– October 2015 In association with the Surface Blasting School 15–16 October 2015, Cape Town Convention Centre, Cape Town N COLLOQUIUM 13th Annual Southern African Student Colloquim 2015 20 October 2015, Mintek, Randburg N CONFERENCE Young Professionals 2015 Conference 21–22 October 2015, Mintek, Randburg, Johannesburg N CONFERENCE AMI: Nuclear Materials Development Network Conference 28–30 October 2015, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, North Campus Conference Centre, Port Elizabeth N SYMPOSIUM MPES 2015: Twenty Third International Symposium on Mine Planning & Equipment Selection 8–12 November 2015, Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa

2016 N CONFERENCE Diamonds still Sparkle 2016 Conference 14–17 March 2016, Gaborone International Convention Centre N CONFERENCE The SAMREC/SAMVAL Companion Volume Conference 17–18 May 2016, Johannesburg N COLLOQUIUM New technology and innovation in the Minerals Industry Colloquium 9–10 June 2016, Mintek, Randburg

For further information contact: Conferencing, SAIMM P O Box 61127, Marshalltown 2107 Tel: (011) 834-1273/7 Fax: (011) 833-8156 or (011) 838-5923 E-mail: raymond@saimm.co.za

N CONFERENCE Hydrometallurgy Conference 2016 1–3 August 2016, Cape Town N CONFERENCE The Tenth International Heavy Minerals Conference 16–18 August 2016, Sun City, South Africa

Website: http://www.saimm.co.za



20 Ton 40 Ton 55 Ton

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