• AFRICAN BUZZ
for a regulatory and institutional environment which supports innovation and innovators , and Ahsan Mahboob of Sibanye Stillwater DigiMine at the Wits Mining Institute shared how collaboration between mines , manufacturers and research partners can powerfully drive digital innovation .
Tiaan Tromp of Nerospec chaired a panel including JJ Verhaeghe ; Hugh Maleka ( RamJackTech ) and Mahboob on the urgent need for standardisation and coordination in the development of equipment and software , to ensure that data from diverse sources can be integrated . Open-source technologies have an important part to play in building inclusivity . There are opportunities for smaller companies and start-ups , as they can be more agile and can bring disruptive technologies to the market .
The prestigious MEMSA Innovation for Mining Awards entries were judged by a panel of mining technology experts on innovation , its expected impact , and relevance to core challenges faced by the mining industry .
Awards were given in the following categories :
• Innovation in Hard Rock Mining Equipment ( the Navin Singh Award ) - Nkangala Mining Equipment for their design of an Intelligent Bolter . Based on the quality of entry , it was decided to include a runner-up award in the same category . This was presented to Buraaq Mining Services for its lowprofile Mechanised Roof Bolter . Notably both companies are SMEs who have built expertise and experience through refurbishment , and now provide their own OEM solutions to mining customers .
• Innovation in Soft Rock Mining - Nkangala Mining further won the Merit Award for the fuel-saving and environmental benefits of their Hybrid LHD .
• Innovation in Surface Mining - Bell Equipment Company for their ADT Conversion for its Collision Warning and Avoidance Interface .
• Innovation in Mineral Processing - AZMET Technology and Projects , won the award for the second year running , this time for a Carbon to Metal Converter recovery system .
• Digital Solutions for Mining - Graf-In Tech , another SME , for their end-to-end business intelligence driven fleet management solution for mines .
• Innovation by an SMME - Kapabrake was awarded the Chairman ' s Award for its locally manufactured customisable Mine Winder Brake Pad .
A discussion with the winners revealed that self-funding innovation is a slow process , and they require partners who are willing to share the risk , partners can increase the potential for success . From the perspective of innovators , funding and commercialisation are major challenges - a strong commercialisation partner can be the difference between success and failure .
The final panel discussion was moderated by Umeesha Naidoo of IDC and included Sietse van der Woude of the Minerals Council of South Africa ; Alex Fenn ; Tebogo Kale - 2022 award winner Gravitas Minerals , and Sibongile Ntsoelengoe . The panel was impressed with the quality of the entries , the calibre of companies and their innovations . As Van der Woude said , " It takes real bravery to be an entrepreneur and an innovator . Resilience seems to be the most important and abundant characteristic of the people within the room .” He further highlighted that safety has now become one of the greatest drivers of innovation , “ As a country we have decided that it is not acceptable to have even single fatality in our mines .” Mine safety takes a concerted effort and commitment from the entire value chain .
Alignment of regulations and legislation can create greater certainty and a supportive environment and stimulate greater innovation . In the South African context , new technologies do not need to replace employment by mines but can enhance human decision making and safety . Machines can be sent into depths and areas too risky for human operators and by manufacturing and sourcing equipment locally , quality jobs are created in manufacturing .
Collaboration remains key , and MEMSA , a member-based cluster together with a wide range of innovation partners such as the Mandela Mining Precinct , is helping to drive innovation and competitiveness in the local mining equipment manufacturing industry through activities such as the first Mind Shift Conference and facilitating technology development partnerships . •
There are opportunities for smaller companies and start-ups , as they can be more agile and can bring disruptive technologies to the market .
8 • African Mining • September 2023 www . africanmining . co . za