1 / 24

Research and Development in South Africa Presentation To Parliamentary Portfolio Committee

Research and Development in South Africa Presentation To Parliamentary Portfolio Committee 12 August 2015. CURRENT R&D INSTITUTIONS IN MINING. Technology Innovation Roadmap for the South African Minerals Industry. Background and deliverable.

mccurdyj
Download Presentation

Research and Development in South Africa Presentation To Parliamentary Portfolio Committee

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. Research and Development in South Africa Presentation To Parliamentary Portfolio Committee 12 August 2015

  2. CURRENT R&D INSTITUTIONS IN MINING

  3. Technology Innovation Roadmapfor the South African Minerals Industry

  4. Background and deliverable • The MIGDETT Declaration (2008) identified Innovation as one of its key enablers to achieve strategic objectives for sustainable growth and meaningful transformation of the mining sector. • Some effort was made to develop this commitment at the time, without any substantive outcomes. • During 2013, the Department instructed Mintek to re-initiate the process. • Timeframe through to 2030 as there is recognition that mining is a long-term business. This is also in line with the National Development Plan (NDP). • Delivered draft of final report to DMR in December 2014. • Document seeks to answer three critical questions: where are we now; where do we want to be in 2030; and how do we get there. Innovation - a key enabler for achieving sustainable growth & meaningful transformation in SA mining industry (MIGDETT Declaration, 2008)

  5. The process followed • Mintek coordinated the exercise, with substantial input from CGS, CSIR, CMMS • Used Technology Roadmapping methodology • Took cognisance of previous work, both locally and internationally • Consulted with about 40 stakeholders – representing cross-section of industry Government – DMR, DST Organised labour – MIGDETT organised labour – NUM, Solidarity, UASA, Associations – Chamber of Mines, SAMDA, Coaltech, SAMMRI Science Councils – Mintek, CSIR, CGS Industry – Anglo American, Exxaro, Anglo Coal, Impala, AngloGold Ashanti, Sandvik, Lonmin, Anglo Platinum, African Barrick Gold, Coal of Africa, Sibanye Gold, Sasol Mining Universities – University of the Witwatersrand (and indirectly others)

  6. Technology Roadmapping”– strategic plan describing the steps required to achieve stated outcomes & goals Study parameters • Exploration, mining, processing and cross-cutting technologies • PGMs, gold, coal and iron ore (represent over 85% of labour and sales revenue) • Emphasis on ‘low-hanging fruit’ – innovation that can be realistically implemented in next 20 years • Small teams of ‘experts’ used to identify focus areas, technology needs & strategic projects in each stage of value chain

  7. SA’s mining industry is well-established & internationally competitive but requires focused approach to innovation to meet current challenges • Roadmap Vision: “In 2030, the South African mining industry will be innovative with a strong collaborative culture. The industry will share a common goal of striving to develop, acquire and employ technology which enables it to be globally competitive and commercially successful in exploiting South Africa’s mineral wealth in a sustainable, socially acceptable manner which supports meaningful growth and transformation, to the benefit of all South Africans”. • Three R&D goals prioritised: • Enhancing global competitiveness • Maximising industry sustainability • Improving investor attractiveness • ‘Cascading’ approach adopted to ensure each goal adequately addressed:

  8. Taking SA Mining to 2030 – High level of specific project detail

  9. Cross-Cutting technologies – R&D Goals and Innovation Needs Research goal: “Integrate, automate and optimise resources and data across the value chain” Innovation needs: • Reducing wastage and buffer stocks; • Reducing planning cycle from months to hours; • More efficient use of resources; • Reconciliation (metal accounting); • Standardisation; and • Improving capital efficiency and asset utilisation

  10. Cross-cutting Technologies – Priority projects & scheduling

  11. Structural recommendations • Avoid fragmentation, strive for critical mass of capacity (identify and support centres of internationally-competitive competence) • Encourage universities to develop unique, distinctive research competencies • Existing R&D structures (eg SAMMRI, Coaltech, CMMS) are effective and should be retained, expanded and supported • Strengthen mining technology collaborative structures and create exploration technology innovation structure • Support mechanisms for increased university – science council – industry collaboration (SAMMRI approach good example) • Continue to support skills development (Innovation requires skills for both development and implementation) • Longer term, consistent R&D funding

  12. Taking SA Mining to 2030 – support an innovative environment! • Taking SA Mining to 2030 is as much about developing a strong research environment as it is about the industry adopting new technologies. • Three collaborative structures necessary to realise goals: • SA does not currently have any single, central entity to guide and coordinate mining industry innovation. Suggest constitution of a ‘South African Mining Innovation Council’ to drive and coordinate collaborative research as a matter of priority

  13. Exploration – R&D Goals and Innovation Needs Research goal : “Extend & expand accessible ore” Innovation needs in the Exploration stage: • Finding new greenfield projects; • Finding new brownfield extensions; • Revisiting old mining dumps; • Keeping abreast of new technologies in exploration; • Creating Centres of Excellence; • Capacity development; • Promotion/attraction of junior participation, including small-scale miners; and • New geo-info using updated exploration techniques.

  14. Exploration – Priority projects & scheduling

  15. Mining – R&D Goals and Innovation Needs Research goal: “Excavating productively and safely” Innovation needs in the Mining stage: • Improved rock-cutting methods; • More efficient mining methodologies; • Improved material management; • Improved energy efficiency; • Improved orebody characterisation; • Improved safety; • Improved human factors and other behaviouralissues • Improved asset utilisation.

  16. Mining – Priority projects & scheduling

  17. MHSC Personal Protective Equipment for Women in Mining • The Department and the Mine Health and Safety Council launched the personal protective equipment for women in mining and DVD on sexual harassment during a Women Conference which was held on the 5 and 6 August 2015.

  18. Processing – R&D Goals and Innovation Needs Research goal: “Getting more for less” Innovation needs: • Maximising process recoveries; • Reducing process production costs, • Reducing water and energy consumption; • Reducing plant capital cost; • Reducing environmental emissions; • Improving process reliability.

  19. Processing– Priority projects & scheduling

  20. Research and Development Projects • Mintek developed and commissioned a furnace that uses coal as a source of energy to assist potters who are located in rural areas in Letebejane in Limpopo and therefore do not have a steady supply of power that is critical in drying their products. • The Mintek-developed SAVMINTM technology to treat acid mine drainage has the potential to cost-effectively remove heavy metals and sulphates from acid mine drainage. • Mintek has concluded a manufacturing agreement with an international chemical producer to produce its Nicksyn™ reagent, which improves nickel recovery, on an industrial scale. • University of the Western Cape (UWC) has launched a hydrogen fuel cell powered generator. The product was funded by the Department of Science and Technology.

  21. Collaborations and building partnerships in R&D. • Department convened a workshop on 18 and 19 June 2015 at the CSIR to further synchronize on mining R&D strategies. • The Roadmap as well as the Departments of Science and Technology (DST) and Trade and Industry (DTI) strategies directed at the Mining and Minerals sector were discussed. • Participants agreed that in order to enable the mining and minerals sector in South Africa to thrive, there is a need for a collaborative and directed Research and Development (R&D) focus. • A need for an overarching and integrated government strategy for the minerals and mining value chain, which identifies problems amenable to R&D interventions.

  22. TO BE INTEGRATED INTO THE ROADMAP • All Interconnected Work and Strategies • DST strategy to support innovation in the mining sector • DTI strategy to support local manufacture and supply of mining equipment • Socio-economic and environmental R&D including post-mining landscapes (new /enhanced aspects). • Mechanism for integration • Mining Phakisa (already underway)

  23. CONCLUSION • Whilst the Roadmap for Research and Development addresses the entire value mining chain – it will be enhanced to integrate all other initiatives, including identified specific projects. • The recommendations of the workshop on synchronization of the mining strategies will be incorporated in the Roadmap. • The Roadmap could also assist with the Mining Phakisa process. • The Department of Mineral Resources will engage with other stakeholders including Treasury, DST and DTI on the long term funding of the Roadmap.

  24. Thank You.

More Related