News

Global Mineral Professionals Alliance (GMPA)

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Created: Friday, 17 February 2017 10:12

On the 3rd of February 2017 the Global Mineral Professionals Alliance (GMPA), which is made up of the AusIMM, CIM, IOM3, SME, IIMP and the SAIMM met in Somerset West, Western Cape for their annual meeting. During the meeting the revised Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed.The MoU can be viewed here.

The GMPA member institutes take a leadership role in the pursuit and continuing development of best practice professionalism in the minerals industries. Areas of focus include science, engineering, mineral processing, environmental stewardship, community engagement and mineral economics and finance. For more information regarding the GMPA visit http://www.saimm.co.za/other-organisations/gmpa

The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS) selects a photograph taken by Isabel J. Geldenhuys as the cover photo for the February 2017 JOM Journal: JOM, Vol. 69, Issue 2

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Created: Friday, 03 February 2017 08:55

‘I joined Mintek in 1996 as a recent chemical engineering graduate and started a journey of amazing discovery, namely the world of pyrometallurgy. While watching my first pilot furnace being tapped in 1996, a spark was ignited and I fell in love with the bubbling cauldron we call furnaces. In the February issue of JOM, I was privileged that my review paper on practical perspectives of DC smelting was accepted for publication. The paper reflects on the lessons learnt during my 20 years of operating DC furnaces. In my paper I featured a favourite photograph I took in 2004 during a large demonstration project. JOM’s editorial team spotted the photograph during production and subsequently requested permission to use the photograph on the cover of the current issue. This picture truly captures the passion and spark that ignited a love for smelting and continues to inspire me in my field of interest, and I hope it will inspire others in the future.’ – Isabel Geldenhuys, SAIMM Fellow and Manager of the Pyrometallurgy Division at MINTEK

Furnace Photography by SAIMM Fellow Joalet Steenkamp Selected for the JOM December Cover

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Created: Thursday, 08 December 2016 08:55

Starting Fire, a photograph by Joalet Steenkamp, chief engineer of MINTEK’s Pyrometallurgy Division in Johannesburg, South Africa, has been chosen as the cover image for the December 2016 issue of JOM, the flagship technical journal of The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS). The image presents the lancing of the tap-hole of the 1 MW furnace at MINTEK, South Africa on February 16th, 2016 (© Joalet Steenkamp).
Steenkamp, an avid photographer, specializes in close-up images of pyrometallurgical operations. The story of how she has developed as a photographic artist in capturing the drama and visually stunning beauty of the furnace is shared in the December 2016 JOM article, “Joalet Steenkamp Takes the Heat for Furnace Photography.”

‘I am deeply thankful for the opportunity to share with the international professional community my passion for pyrometallurgy and the beauty I see when I’m close to a furnace.’ – Joalet Steenkamp

New book release: Theoretical Rock Mechanics for Professional Practice by Matthew Handley

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Created: Friday, 16 September 2016 13:17

The planned rock mechanics textbook is a synthesis of 22 classic texts on rock mechanics, solid mechanics, the author’s 15 years’ experience in rock mechanics in the gold mining industry, and 10 years as a professor at the University of Pretoria (1984-2009). Throughout this period, the author noted that all the introductory texts on stress and strain were incomplete in one way or another, and that this, together with the watereddown introductions to stress and strain currently accepted in the mining rock mechanics fraternity, forms a barrier to the rest of rock mechanics.

Obituary - Johannes Paulus Hoffman the Technical Father of 3CR12

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Created: Monday, 29 August 2016 12:13

Hannes Hoffman, a past President of the Institute, passed away on 16 August 2016 in hospital in George after a short illness.

Hannes Hoffman was born on 9 of March 1933. He obtained a BSc in iron and steel technology, a BSc (Hons) and MSc in metallurgy, as well as an MBA. After working at Iscor, the University of Pretoria and O’okiep Copper Co., he moved to Southern Cross Steel in 1973 to take up the position of head of Metallurgy, later called the manager of Materials Science. In 1988 he was transferred to New Process Development as manager and in 1995 he became the manager of Research and Development. From 1992 to 1993 he was the President of the South (now Southern) African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM). He retired in 1996.

Annual General Meeting, Thursday, 11 August 2016, Country Club Johannesburg

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Created: Wednesday, 18 May 2016 09:02

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS: Optimization in underground mine planning — developments and opportunities

CUTHBERT MUSINGWINI

The President and Council of the Institute invite members, their guests, and members of other constituent societies to attend the Annual General Meeting 2016.

Thursday, 11 August 2016
The Country Club, Johannesburg, Napier Road, Auckland Park, 2006
at 16:30
See map at the bottom of the page

SAMCODES

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Created: Thursday, 28 April 2016 13:58

The SAMCODES, the South African Mineral Reporting Codes, set out the minimum standards, recommendations and guidelines for the Public Reporting of mineral related issues in South Africa. They currently comprise three Codes, two Guideline documents and an affiliated National Standard:

a. SAMREC: The South African Code for the Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves
b. SAMVAL: The South African Code for the Reporting of Mineral Asset Valuation
c. SAMOG: The South African Code for the Reporting of Oil and Gas Resources
d. Commodity, or subject, specific guidelines/standards:

i. SAMESG Guideline: The South African Guideline for the Reporting of Environmental, Social and Governance parameters within the mining and oil and gas industries
ii. SAMREC Diamond Guidelines: SAMREC Guideline Document for the Reporting of Diamond Exploration Results, Diamond Resources and Diamond Reserves (and other Gemstones, where Relevant)
iii. SANS 10320:2004: South African guide to the systematic evaluation of coal resources and coal reserves (currently under review). This document is a South African National Standard, published by the South African Bureau of Standards.

Benefits of joining the SAIMM

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Created: Friday, 15 April 2016 14:54

• The SAIMM is a founding member of the Global Mineral Professionals Alliance (GMPA). Other members are: AusIMM; CIM; IOM3; SME; IIMP. Through this collaboration we offer our members ‘visiting’ status if they are resident in any of the countries where we have a base.
• As a member you will be granted access to the OneMine.org website and all its publications. We are also a member of the Global Mining Standards and Guidelines Group (GMSG), who facilitate global mining collaborations on solutions to common industry problems.
• We also subscribe to the Technical Library and members can take advantage of all services they have on offer by registering on the site.
• If you are registered with the Engineering Council of SA (ECSA) as a SAIMM Member you will qualify for a discount on your ECSA fees.
• You will be able to attend the SAIMM Conferences at discounted rates.
• Attending SAIMM conferences and Branch Events will allow you to collect Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points.
• Membership includes the SAIMM Journal on a monthly basis.
• You will have the chance to network with a wide cross-section of professional people in the Mining and Metallurgy Industry.
• Active participation in the Institute will result in higher peer recognition.
• Members of the Institute are able to contribute to the development of young talent through our mentoring programme.

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For more information contact: Kea Shumba, SAIMM · Tel: 011 834-1273 · E-mail: Kea@saimm.co.za

Richard Peter Mohring (1947-2016)

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Created: Tuesday, 29 March 2016 12:38

We are sad to announce that Rick Mohring passed away on 14 March 2016, after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Rick will be well remembered for his pivotal role in the transformation of the South African coal industry. He was widely respected and renowned for his expertise in coal mining, and was known as someone who worked with enthusiasm, energy, and enjoyment.

Rick joined the SAIMM in 1971, and served on the Council since 1988. He was President of SAIMM in 1997-1998, and was awarded an Honorary Life Fellowship in 2000, and the Brigadier Stokes Memorial Award (SAIMM's highest award) in 2012. He also served on numerous committees over the years, including his most recent involvements as a Trustee of the SAIMM Scholarship Fund, and Chair of the Complaints Committee.

SAIMM Annual Banquet 2016

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Created: Thursday, 10 March 2016 10:14

The SAIMM Annual Banquet was held on Saturday, 5th March 2016 at the Sandton Convention Centre. Approximately 360 VIPs, members and guests attended. The guest speaker was Johnny Clegg, a South African icon who spoke about crossing the cultural divide. Johnny’s talk was inspirational, interspersed with a couple of songs and interesting dance moves.

Fellowships of the Institute were awarded to Paul den Hoed, Carel Roode, and Simon Tose.

The evening was a great success and we wish to thank our sponsors, without whom the event would not have been possible.

See image gallery