Message from the HOD

This third edition of the Department of Mining Engineering’s annual review is published at a time that is unlike any the world has seen before. Who would have predicted that the “new normal” would entail presenting our academic programmes altogether online without any contact lectures, exposing our students to a new method of knowledge transfer? The theme of this year’s annual review is particularly appropriate to this time: “Embracing disruption”. When considering the ways in which the Department embraces “disruption”, the typically negative word can be viewed in a distinctly positive light.

It gives me pleasure to showcase some of the exceptional achievements and activities that have characterised the period 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020.

Prof Ronny Webber-Youngman Head of Department: Mining Engineering

DISRUPTIVE APPROACHES TO TEACHING AND LEARNING

With the nationwide lockdown brought about by the rapid spread of COVID-19, the country basically shut down in March 2020. This was the first sign that the University and its students would be experiencing disruption on a hitherto unimagined scale. Literally overnight, lecturers were expected to change their method of transferring knowledge to an online system. The Department’s staff rose to the challenge and did an exceptional job learning.

All first-semester lectures and assessments pertaining to mining modules were successfully dealt with, and online learning would be continued in the second semester. I am particularly proud of the commitment and resilience shown by the Department’s lecturers and full-time postgraduate assistant lecturers in dealing with these challenges. They are truly embracing disruption as an opportunity to introduce innovative ways of teaching and learning that will form part of the new approach to tuition to be explored even further in the future.

DISRUPTING THE CURRICULUM

Like many other mining schools, the Department has gone through an extensive redesign of its mine design curriculum of accommodating this new approach to teaching and

over the last two years. This process contemplated the future of mining, specifically what the mining engineering profession will look like in years to come. In accordance with recommendations of Prof Con Fauconnier, Honorary Professor in the Department, the new mine design curriculum includes exposure to aspects such as leadership, the social context of business, rectifying the imbalances of the past, as well as international economic systems, striving to create a more equal, yet productive society.

Although not many new mines are commissioned in South Africa, an increase in the productivity of existing mines is becoming increasingly important. By adopting new technology interventions and mining methods, as well as focusing on the health and safety of our workforce, mine management is realising that it is no longer a question of whether one should embrace technology, but when one should do so. The most important aspects that have therefore been incorporated into the new mine design curriculum include improved employee safety, increased productivity, lower energy consumption, and reduced environmental impact; none of which would be possible without the adoption of appropriate disruptive technologies.

DISRUPTING THE DEPARTMENT’S ROLE

One of the key aspects that the Department is actively pursuing is the improvement of its representation on international ranking systems. These play a significant role in determining an academic department’s relevance and contribution to the economy and society at large. They are used to evaluate overall performance and give a clear indication of a department’s status in the international context.

In 2019, UP was ranked in the top 100 universities for mining and mineral engineering in the world in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) subject rankings, based on data from the international Web of Science. The ranking criteria include quality of education, quality of faculty, research output and per capita academic performance of the institution. The Department’s strategic focus is to improve the position of UP’s mining research in the ARWU rankings, and to feature in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings as well. The criteria of the QS rankings include academic reputation, citations per paper, H-index (based on citations per researcher) and employer reputation.

To improve its position in this prestigious subject ranking, the Department is in the process of elevating the Mining Footprint initiative of the Mining Resilience Research Centre (MRRC). This is a strategic intervention to integrate research emanating from various faculties and departments at the University that is related in some way or other to mining. The main purpose of this initiative is to contribute to solutions to complex mining problems, both locally and internationally. The amplification of mining-related research in other faculties will also enhance mining as a career of choice.

DISRUPTING THE INDUSTRY THROUGH RESEARCH

With commodity prices picking up over the last year or so, and the fact that nothing that is happening in the 4IR would be possible without mining, it is clear that mining will remain a major contributor to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). The many challenges associated with Mining 4.0 (next-generation mining) are becoming even more applicable. This is illustrated by the multidisciplinary research that is being undertaken across the University pertaining to various aspects related to mining.

of Pretoria, and engages in cross-disciplinary work with numerous related departments and faculties. It is actively involved with the Mine Health and Safety Council (MHSC) and the South African Mining, Extraction, Research, Development and Innovation (SAMERDI) initiative. It also contributes to the Mandela Mining Precinct, a public-private collaboration between the Department of Science and Innovation and the Minerals Council of South Africa, managed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). This strategy is working towards the revitalisation of mining research development and innovation in South Africa to ensure the sustainability of the industry. The Department’s involvement takes the form of collaborative research proposals developed between the CSIR, UP, Wits University and the University of Johannesburg, specifically on mechanised drilling and blasting.

DISRUPTING OUR VISIBILITY

In our previous annual review, we highlighted our drive to elevate the Department’s visibility as a contributor in the mining industry, which forms part of the strategic #UPMiningMatters intervention. This drive is in its second year. Because it is a long-term strategic intervention, results are not available immediately. Sustaining continuous effort will be key to its success. The Department plays a significant role in mining research at the University

In true academic spirit, we believe that improvement does not occur in isolation, but rather by learning from others and having an open mind. In this regard, I had planned to visit the Colorado School of Mines later this year to learn how this institution has managed to maintain its position as a top QS-ranked mining university. However, the COVID-19 pandemic did not make this possible. This will, however, be explored once everything is back to “normal”, whatever that may mean in the future.

2019/20 HIGHLIGHTS

The challenges pertaining to

57

Improved number of POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS

39

HONOURS

10

MASTER’S

8

PhD the next generation of mining need to be dealt with in a very The Department had several success stories during 2019/20. It increased different way than has been its postgraduate student numbers done in the past. to a recent high of 57, made up of 39 honours, 10 master’s and 8 PhD students currently registered in the Department. This also aligns with the Department’s strategic drive to increase its postgraduate student numbers, which has a direct impact on its research publication output. We are particularly grateful to African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) for supporting the Department with the newly launched ARM Postgraduate Bursary Initiative, which will support postgraduate students from diverse backgrounds to study towards their honours and master’s degrees.

New postgraduate bursary initiative from ARM FUNDING

Record number of

PUBLICATION OUTPUTS

anticipated As a department, we are continuously increasing our research publications in journals and at conferences. Based on a healthy research pipeline, we envisage the highest publication output yet in the year to come. The challenge that we are embracing is to increase publications in accredited international journals and cement our relationships with other international mining schools.

Prof Francois Malan, the Department’s Research Coordinator, has been rated a B2 researcher by the National Research Foundation (NRF). We are very proud of this achievement. Prof Malan has also been elected to serve on the editorial board of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM), in this way increasing the Department’s visibility in terms of professional support initiatives.

PROF FRANCOIS MALAN elected to serve on SAIMM EDITORIAL BOARD

B2

RECEIVED NRF RATING

3

RESEARCH CHAIRS

M&R CHAIR IN INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP 4.0

established From a teaching and learning perspective, the challenges pertaining to the next generation of mining need to be dealt with in a very different way than has ever been done in the past. The Mining Engineering Leadership Academy (MELA), which was established in the Department more than a decade ago, plays an important role in this regard. Prospective mining engineers need to be able to deal with up to five different generations of workers in the workforce, and this requires special skills. To address this challenge, the Department is equipping its students with various non-technical skills to enable them to deal with the expected complexities in the mining industry.

During the period under review, the MELA was further enhanced with the establishment of the Murray and Roberts (M&R) Chair in Industry Leadership 4.0, which started its three-year funding cycle in January 2020. In addition to coordinating the leadership intervention for final-year mining students (now known as the M&R MELA), it is also conducting research on leadership and the adoption of new technology in the mining industry. Some of the key interventions in which this Chair will be involved are leadership workshops, research on the adoption of new technology and related article publications, in particular involving postgraduate student researchers as part of capacity building.

While focusing on the future of industries in the context of the 4IR and disruptive technologies, the Department acknowledges that it needs to keep its eye on the future beyond this context. We are on the threshold of the Fifth Industrial Revolution. This future era will require another set of skills, as the focus is anticipated to be more on humanity and human intelligence. However, these skills will need to complement the skills already identified as essential to thrive in the 4IR.

2022

Extended funding for

HARMONY GOLD CHAIR IN ROCK ENGINEERING AND NUMERICAL

The period under review also saw the extension of the industry support of the Harmony Gold acknowledges this major contribution to its rock engineering research in terms of funding, with regard to its research into techniques to simulate rock mass behaviour in South African deep-level gold mines.

MODELLING

The AEL Intelligent Blasting Chair for Innovative Rock-breaking Technology also delivered notable outputs during the period under review. This Chair is in the last year of its current three-year funding cycle, and it is envisaged that the Department will receive continued funding and augmented reality (AR) expertise and facilities to strengthen the funder’s market and issues in the mining industry. The Department also continued with its interactive immersive technology (IIT) drive during the the Department is exploring is the “gamefication” of education and training. This has, at its core, the use of game design elements in a non-gaming context 1 . I am convinced that the future of

Successful research for the AEL INTELLIGENT BLASTING CHAIR FOR INNOVATIVE ROCK-BREAKING TECHNOLOGY

Exciting new teaching with INTERACTIVE IMMERSIVE TECHNOLOGY

3RD

PLACE In the context of research projects, final-year student Lulama Mthembu placed third at the SAIMM projects. Although the Department has always featured prominently in this competition, the 2018 results, where we placed first and second, were one of our best student achievements in recent for best publication. This paper focused on the 4.0D ® Leadership Development Model for mining and related industries in the context of the 4IR, which the two authors developed.

student project at the SAIMM STUDENT COLLOQUIUM

1ST PLACE

DR JOHANN UYS & PROF RONNY WEBBER-YOUNGMAN

Dedicated ENGLISH TUTOR per year level

New laboratory equipment from

METF FUNDING

Chair in Rock Engineering and Numerical Modelling for a third three-year term. The Department enabling the Department to become a recognised leader in this research focus area, especially

for a second three-year cycle. In partnership with the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, this Chair succeeded in exploiting the Department’s virtual reality (VR) technology leadership position. It also supported ground-breaking projects to resolve pressing

period under review. Its Rock Engineering module will be the first to explore this opportunity in a risk identification exercise related to rock engineering, and will add another dimension to the Department’s strategy of delivering quality education. Another innovative technique that education (knowledge transfer) and training (applying knowledge) lies in this space.

Student Colloquium in October 2019. These are the South African championships for student years. In the international arena, a paper written by Dr Johann Uys and Prof Ronny WebberYoungman was awarded the annual prize of the international Society of Mining Professors (SOMP)

SOMP BEST PAPER PRIZE

A further initiative that I believe has contributed to our students’ academic success is the Department’s English Literacy support drive. It increased its support of students’ literacy levels by appointing three additional English tutors, giving each of the four academic year groups its own dedicated tutor. The programme uses an English Language Skills Assessment (ELSA) tool to establish shortcomings in students’ language proficiency levels. Remedial programmes are then applied, where necessary.

In 2019, the Minerals Education Trust Fund (METF) made a substantial sum available to the Department to acquire new laboratory equipment for mining modules. The first batch of this equipment was delivered in the first semester of 2020, while the balance was delayed due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, and will be delivered in the second semester of 2020. This new equipment will add to the Department’s VR theatre and 360° cylinder, and will ensure that it caters for new needs in terms of technology transfer to enhance students’ learning experience and understanding. The support of the METF is graciously acknowledged and appreciated.

In conclusion, I wish to acknowledge all the alumni who have made significant contributions in the Department, whether through a donation, an offer of student vacation work, as an external examiner or as a guest lecturer. These contributions add to students’ learning experiences. The number of alumni who are employed at senior executive level in the mining industry in South Africa and abroad is a true testament to the quality of graduates that the Department has produced and will continue to produce in future. I would thus also like to give credit to my lecturing and support staff, who – in their own unique ways – make a major contribution in educating and leading our students to become imagineers, showing true tenacity in embracing disruption as an opportunity.