News

Passing of Michael Matthew Valenta

Details: Created: Tuesday, 20 August 2024 10:46

18 July 1968 – 15 August 2024

You're invited to Link to Mike Valenta’s Farewell Memorial
Thursday, 05 September 2024
14:00 - 15:30 (SAST)

mmatthew 20082024 It is with deep sadness that we inform members and other stakeholder of the passing of Mike Valenta. Mike was a Fellow of SAIMM and joined the Institute on 21 October 1988. He served on numerous SAIMM committees over the years and his knowledge and expertise will be missed.

Mike had extensive expertise in metallurgy, covering planning and management of test work, beneficiation of various minerals, and modelling metallurgical Processes,

He provided consulting services for concentrator projects, conducted due diligence studies, and acted as a client representative on research projects for various minerals,

He served as MMMA President for 2002-2003, 2021-2022, 2022-2024 and will be missed for his invaluable contribution to not only the Association but Mining Industry

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and colleagues during this difficult time.

Courtesy of the Mine Metallurgical Managers of South Africa (MMMA)

SAIMM Advertising Opportunities – Rate Card 2024

Details: Created: Wednesday, 31 July 2024 16:34

The SAIMM offers businesses wanting to reach decision makers, thought-leaders and key opinion-formers in the mining environment different opportunities and essential platforms to do so. Include the SAIMM in your marketing plan if you want to get noticed, grow your market share and assure your existing client base that they are dealing with the right service provider. The SAIMM’s monthly, highly regarded Journal, website and monthly Journal mailer are distinctly differentiated from other available commercial mining publications, and online digital avenues.

ADVERTISEMENT BOOKINGS
Barbara Spence · Avenue Advertising
PO Box 71308, Bryanston, 2021
Tel: 011 463 7940 · Cell: 082 881 345
E-mail: barbara@avenue.co.za
Website: http://www.avenue.co.za

DOWNLOAD THE 2024 RATE CARD...

SAIMM Pretoria Branch Relaunch

Details: Created: Friday, 19 July 2024 13:23

Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy(SAIMM) calls on its Members to converge for the re-launch of the SAIMM Pretoria Branch taking place on 25 July at Engineering 1, Exhibition Space at the University of Pretoria from 17:00 - 20:00. This event aims to cultivate and reignite Branch engagements and encourage knowledge sharing between professionals in Mining, Metallurgical and related fields.

OBITUARY - Sedupe Josiah Ramokgopa

Details: Created: Wednesday, 10 July 2024 10:49

Sedupe Josiah Ramokgopa
25 March 1939–12 January 2024

SJRamokgopa 10072024 Sedupe Josiah “Rams” Ramokgopa was born in Orlando East, Soweto, and was raised in a family of political activists. As a teenager, he became involved in the activities of the 1952 Defiance Campaign. After matriculating from Orlando High School, he completed his Honours degree in physics at the University of Fort Hare in 1965 and an MSc in theoretical solid-state physics from Unisa in 1968.

Sedupe moved to Swaziland in 1969, where he took up a post as a mathematics teacher at Salesian High School. Here, he became known as Rams. His political family in Swaziland comprised the struggle leadership in exile of the African National Congress and Pan African Congress.
He remained active in the South African Student Organization and the Black Consciousness Movement. He returned to Johannesburg in 1974 to work as a systems engineer for IBM.

After the Soweto uprising of June 1976, Sedupe was active in forming the Soweto Committee of Ten, which drew up a blueprint for governance of Soweto. After several members were detained in terms of the Internal Security Act, Sedupe became executive director of the Black Community Programmes, the umbrella development organization operating under the Black People’s Convention. Following a massive countrywide clampdown in October 1977 that resulted in the banning of 18 organizations and three publications, Sedupe was detained without trial for 384 days at Modderbee Prison under Section 10 of the Internal Security Act. Upon his release, he was banned for five years, restricted to the Magisterial District of Johannesburg, and under constant surveillance by the security police.

He later served as AZAPO Secretary of Education from 1982–1985, executive director of Funda Centre from 1987–1991, and as a policy specialist at the Development Bank of Southern Africa. Sedupe joined Mintek in 1994 as Vice President responsible for Communications, Information Management, and Human Resources.

In 1999, Sedupe was honoured with the Star of South Africa by former President Nelson Mandela. Sedupe was inducted as President of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) in 2002. He also founded a gold mining exploration company that was successfully listed on both the Johannesburg and London Stock Exchanges as Central Rand Gold in 2008.

Sedupe passed peacefully on 12 January 2024, preceded by his wife, Thembi. He is survived by his children Dineo and Tumi, and three grandchildren.

SAIMM Annual General Meeting 2024

Details: Created: Wednesday, 26 June 2024 07:59

Thursday, 22 August 2024 at 16:30,
at the Country Club Johannesburg, 1 Napier Road, Auckland Park

To join us click here

AGENDA

1. Welcome
2. Confirmation of minutes Obituaries
3. Obituaries

Financial and Administrative Matters

4. Annual financial report for the year ended 30 June 2024.
5. Declaration of election of the Office Bearers and Members of Council for the year 2024/2025.
6. Election of auditors and legal advisors for the year 2024/2025.
7. Corporate Partnerships

YPC Matters

8. Declaration of election of the Young Professionals Council for the year 2024/2025.
9. Outgoing YPC Chairperson Award.

Awards and Recognition

10. 50 Year Membership Award
11. Presentation of awards, medals, and certificates for Transactions published in the Journal.
12. Top Advertiser in the Journal.
13. Presentation of student prizes.
14. Brigadier Stokes Memorial Award

Presidential Matters

15. Outgoing Presidential Award.
16. Induction of President-E Matinde
17. Presidential address - Metallurgical slags: A drive to circularity and search for new research agenda

Closing Session

18. Vote of Thanks.

SAIMM TO HIGHLIGHT SUSTAINABLE EXTRACTION OF METALS THROUGH THE HYDROMETALLURGY CONFERENCE

Details: Created: Tuesday, 11 June 2024 08:39

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE

SAIMM TO HIGHLIGHT SUSTAINABLE EXTRACTION OF METALS THROUGH THE HYDROMETALLURGY CONFERENCE

The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy(SAIMM) will bring together experts in the minerals sector, at this year’s Hydrometallurgy Conference taking place from 1 – 3 September 2024 at Hazendal Wine Estate situated in Stellenbosch in the Western Cape. The conference with a theme of “Hydrometallurgy for the Future” aims to encourage thought provoking conversation on the world’s growing dependency on metals within the technological, digital and the green energy transition landscapes. Opinion leaders will be brought together to share their views on the greater environmental impact that may result from the exponential increase in the extraction of metals in order to meet future demands.

To address the imminent rise in the use of energy and water in the hydrometallurgical process, SAIMM’s Hydrometallurgy Conference will table topics such as circularity in hydrometallurgy, new developments in equipment and reagents, data analytics, machine learning and the use of AI in hydrometallurgy, among other areas. Keynote speakers who will lead in presenting on these topics include Professor Kerstin Maria Forsberg from Sweden, who possesses 20 years’ experience in research and education in separation processes. Professors Forsberg applies her knowledge in the development of innovative technologies for the recovery of metals from resources such as spent batteries, magnetic waste, pickling acid, red mud and apatite.

The second keynote speaker for the Hydrometallurgy Conference is Associate Professor, Lilian Velásquez-Yévenes from Chile who has a Ph.D in Mineral Science. Velásquez-Yévenes also possesses broad research experience in the sustainable extraction of metals and was the winner of the 2021 ‘100 Inspiring Women in Mining’ presented by WIMM Chile. She continues to advance her studies in hydrometallurgical practices, investigating urban mining, including the extraction of valuable metals from e-waste.

Certain to be an insightful 2-day conference, SAIMM invites academics, hydrometallurgists and the minerals industry fraternity at large to register to attend the 2024 Hydrometallurgy Conference. To find out more, visit www.saimm.co.za.

END

Media inquiries
Zena Nkula
Head of Brand, Communications and Marketing
E-mail: zena@saimm.co.za
Tel: +27 11 538 0273
Web: www.saimm.co.za

Membership inquiries
Tlatsi Bakwa
Head of Membership
E-mail: tlatsi@saimm.co.za
Tel: +27 11 538 0244
Web: www.saimm.co.za

Events, Conference & Sponsorship
Camielah Jardine
Head of Conference and Events
E-mail: camielah@saimm.co.za
Tel: +27 72 863 3572
Web: www.saimm.co.za

SAIMM RELAUNCHES NAMIBIA BRANCH AND ELECTS NEW INTERIM CHAIRPERSO

Details: Created: Monday, 10 June 2024 16:52

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SAIMM RELAUNCHES NAMIBIA BRANCH AND ELECTS NEW INTERIM CHAIRPERSON

4 June 2024 - Throughout its almost 130-year legacy, the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) has played a pivotal role in the dissemination of knowledge and expertise across Africa’s minerals sector, providing its members with local and international access to the latest technological developments in mining, metallurgical and related fields. The relaunch of the SAIMM Namibia Branch, will take place on 18 June 2024 ahead of the Southern African Rare Earths 2^nd International Conference 2024 which will be held from 19 – 20 June 2024, both, at the Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment Centre, Swakopmund, Namibia.

This event signifies advancement in the organisation’s commitment to solidifying its footprint across the SADC region, with its membership consisting of captains of industry within Namibia’s mining and metallurgy sector, who, in addition to being experts in their field, lead the charge in co-creatively establishing forums for engagement through the promotion of industry-related obligations.

Interim Chairperson of the SAIMM Namibia Branch, Tomas Aipanda, has reignited the enthusiasm of his fellow members by being at the helm of the relaunch of the Branch. Leading with an Honours Degree in Mining Engineering and 12 years’ experience in open pit hard rock mining under his belt, Tomas has led key mining sections in his field, such as drilling and blasting. Moreover, Tomas leads and manages a team of 120 employees, which render him prepared to take on the role of Chairperson and drive SAIMM’s Namibia activities.

“The relaunch of the SAIMM Namibia Branch calls on its members to be active and engaged in the election of a Branch Chairperson, to nominate and elect a member who will represent and drive all Branch activities and in essence, amplify SAIMM Namibia” said Aipanda.

“We want to encourage members to be engaged and participate in driving Namibia’s minerals sectors forward, this is done through connecting industry professionals and providing forums where technical expertise and industry development can be discussed like those provided by SAIMM” Aipanda, added.

Professionals in mining and minerals who are interested in future membership with SAIMM or would like to contribute knowledge and expertise to SAIMM can visit www.saimm.co.za.

END

Media inquiries
Zena Nkula
Head of Brand, Communications and Marketing
E-mail: zena@saimm.co.za
Tel: +27 11 538 0273
Web: www.saimm.co.za

Membership inquiries
Tlatsi Bakwa
Head of Membership
E-mail: tlatsi@saimm.co.za
Tel: +27 11 538 0244
Web: www.saimm.co.za

Events, Conference & Sponsorship
Camielah Jardine
Head of Conference and Events
E-mail: camielah@saimm.co.za
Tel: +27 72 863 3572
Web: www.saimm.co.za

The Crucible Podcast continues!

Details: Created: Thursday, 09 May 2024 07:36

Since its launch in 2023, The Crucible Podcast has released a succession of compelling episodes, each hosted by industry experts and covering a wide array of topics.

Check out the latest episodes:

Range vs Specialisation and the Significance of Interdisciplinary Approaches, Especially in the Raw Materials Industry by Dr. Frank Crundwell.

The Value and Importance of Mentoring in a Connected Economy presented by Simone Naicker.

Access these insightful discussions on:

Spotify: https://lnkd.in/dBTZtiqY
SAIMM website: https://bit.ly/48Hqw8y

Passing of Professor Peter Gaylard

Details: Created: Monday, 04 March 2024 12:54

16 July 1942 – 4 February 2024

We learned recently of the passing of Prof Peter Gordon Gaylard, a Retired Fellow of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. He joined the SAIMM as a Student member on 17 November 1965 and received his 50-Year Membership Lapel Badge at the SAIMM Annual General Meeting on 11 August 2016.

2024 SAIMM Conferencing Survey

Details: Created: Thursday, 11 January 2024 09:54

2024 SAIMM Conferencing Survey The SAIMM remains committed to providing world class and relevant conferencing to its members and the larger Mining fraternity. To ensure that we meet this standard, we require information from you. Particularly conference topics which interest you most. Click here to participate in this survey which will run until 29 February 2024. We require less than 5 minutes of your time.