TECHNOLOGY • done by the CSIR and that there are other technologies that might work more efficiently than even the lithium-ion battery in this area , currently in testing phase – hydrogen technology being a case in point . He notes that locally Anglo American Platinum ’ s Mogalakwena mine is already working with hydrogen technology in a truck . Future developments will most certainly lie in hydrogen potential .
He emphasised that going forward , collaboration is imperative to fast tracking the African technology development . To this end , the like-minded CSIR recently invited MEMSA to an industry conversation around battery electric technology and possible hydrogen solutions specific to underground equipment in the interests of assistance in the way forward on a local level , which MEMSA has welcomed . Molloyi believes that this collaboration will add value to the South African OEMs and can only enhance development and keep Africa competitive in the market .
Enter the CSIR Hartmut Brodner , business development manager , Mining at the CSIR , explained the point of departure for the CSIR currently in South Africa . He mapped out the interesting role the CSIR fulfils saying , “ We are a schedule 3B entity , which essentially means that we are partially government funded , but really the bulk of our financial sustainability sits in doing work with the private sector . We are therefore in a very interesting position , in that we interact very closely with government and regulatory bodies and industry associations such as MEMSA , and we also have direct contact with the industry and market . In fact , the strategic shift within the CSIR for the past few years has been to move closer to industry to enable re-industrialising South Africa and growth of the industry . Essentially the strategy is to use the innovation at the CSIR , the thought leadership and the technical know-how that we possess to assist local entities with their various business ventures and technologies , whilst also supporting internationals that are investing actively in manufacturing capacity and capability in South Africa . We have plans to expand our reach into the rest of Africa too .”
To illustrate Brodner ’ s point ; the CSIR sits between regulators , government , private industry , and associations , and with its nine clusters , is able to see things from a unique perspective and therefore add value to industry stakeholders . The clusters are technology industry convergences that represent the CSIR ’ s strategic focus , having been selected based on considerations of national priorities , the fourth industrial revolution and potential for socioeconomic impact . 2
The reinvigoration of mining Part of the new strategic direction taken by the CSIR is a drive to reinvigorate the focus on mining – specifically on the extractive portion with innovation and technology development being key , explained Brodner .
By leveraging its multidisciplinary expertise and networks , the CSIR plans to play a key role in contributing to the longevity of South African mining operations , assisting in the development and manufacture of South African mining equipment for local use and , ultimately export to other African countries . 2
“ The cornerstone of our Mining Innovation Strategy really focuses on three pillars : 1 ) Digital & Automation , 2 ) Extractive Mining Processes and 3 ) Energy . The topic of decarbonisation really sits squarely in this energy vertical . We used the CSIR Mining ’ s
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CSIR Battery Centre
Battery Centre glovebox
Decarbonisation Programme to approach local OEMs to investigate how we could assist them with their decarbonisation product lines , service offerings and their own journeys . In so doing , we started talking about the 4IR capabilities within the CSIR to assist the various local OEM ’ s to modernise their product offerings and their manufacturing facilities . We have unique capabilities in certain areas that are perhaps not known in the market yet ,” said Brodner .
Brodner made it clear , “ The mining cluster at the CSIR has not started any physical work with the local underground OEMs just yet , but we have reached out to MEMSA and we are engaging members because there are areas where they are finding challenges , and we would like to assist in bringing solutions to the table .”
Battery technology : R & D and testing Macnamara met with just a few of the involved CSIR stakeholders to understand future potential solutions for the industry and some of their immediate hurdles .
CSIR researchers have been developing new material-based technologies which make up the components of battery cells for years now . Hongze Luo , principal researcher at the CSIR Battery Centre took Macnamara through the local battery cell development journey at the CSIR .
Luo noted , “ The lithium-ion battery development started when Michael M . Thackeray at the CSIR developed the family of spinelrelated lithium-metal-oxide electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries in the 1980s .” Unfortunately , the research programme was halted and was only revisited by the CSIR in 2008 . “ At the time , it was our aim to fast-track the development of lithium-ion battery materials for EVs in particular . A private South African company , Optimal Energy , developed a five seat EV in 2008 . Funding was primarily through government investments , in particular , the South African Department of Science & Technology ( DST ) through the Innovation Fund , as well as other private investments . Unfortunately , in June 2012 Optimal Energy announced its intention to close down , and although the CSIR continued with laboratory research , development has been stunted to a degree due to lack of investment from both the private sector and government – on both a monetary and policy level – and it has been difficult to market what we do .”
He explained that China dominates around 80 % of the battery market currently , but this is due to 30 years of consistent , vigorous research and now they are the leading producer in the world . “ It is a pity that our development has been impeded by lack of support
African Mining African Mining • July 2022 • 29