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Report for ITA World Tunnel Congress 2013, February 2013

The South African National Committee on Tunnelling (SANCOT) remains active in promoting tunnelling and the use of underground space. SANCOT functions as a committee within the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM).

On 3 December 2012 SANCOT held a one day seminar entitled ’South African Tunnelling 2012 – Lessons Learnt on Major Projects’ followed by a half day visit to the Ingula Pumped Storage Project the following day.

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS 2013

The role of metallurgy in enhancing beneficiation in the South African mining industry M. Dworzanowski

Beneficiation, in the context of this paper, has two distinct definitions. From an economic perspective beneficiation relates to adding value to a mined raw material as opposed to simply exporting the raw material, in which case other countries will benefit from the value add potential. From a metallurgy perspective beneficiation relates to processes used to upgrade the mined raw material. Clearly then, 'economic beneficiation' is dependent on 'metallurgical beneficiation'. South Africa possesses the world's largest mineral resources by value and is the world's largest producer of many mined commodities.

Brigadier Stokes Memorial Award Winner 2013

   30531 resized_huw_phillips1_04-07duane1             Congratulations to

Prof Huw Phillips
 on receiving the 
Brigadier Stokes Memorial Award   

Download the citation
by Huw Ronald Phillips.
(PDF 199KB)
                                                                         

Diamonds - Source to Use 2013

Re-reading the foreword in the 2010 Diamonds Source to Use Conference proceedings reminded me of the turmoil that the industry was in at that time. Since then, the survivors have dusted themselves off, new allegiances have been forged, and junior mining companies have made significant acquisitions and elevated themselves to the ranks of the majors.

Obituary Ben Alberts

Barend Christaan Alberts suffered a stroke and passed away on Tuesday 8 April, 2013. The mining industry mourns his passing at the age of 74. Known by his younger colleagues as ‘Baas Ben’, he left deep footprints in the development of the South African mining industry, as well as internationally. He was a devout Christian and family man, and together with his wife Ansie and his family we are all blessed to have had the privilege of his life with us.

Obituary Danie Krige - South Africa’s Giant of Geostatistics

Danie Krige - an international household name to anyone who studied or practised the science of evaluating mineral resources for mining purposes, died recently in
Johannesburg.

While his name may not be familiar to many people outside the field, so new and revolutionary were his ideas – applying mathematical statistics to the spatial evaluation of orebodies – that the processes he developed were named after him, becoming known in the industry as ‘kriging’. This technique has helped improve ore evaluation methods and reduce the financial risk of investing in mining projects.

CSMI and Synergy Global - building skills to advance business–community relations

Mounting pressure between businesses and communities in various parts of the world is creating serious social and economic risk, demanding intervention by highly skilled practitioners. A new course offered by the Centre for Sustainability in Mining and Industry at Wits University will hone and expand these vital skills.

While government, business, and labour have come a long way in forging constructive ways of working together, the interface with communities is less well-explored and has seen some violent outbursts in recent years – especially in the extractive industries.

Key find for acid mine drainage on World Water Day

A newly developed membrane used to separate waste from water could become key in the treatment of pollutants ranging from acid mine drainage to oil-containing wastewater, as well as in processes ranging from desalination to kidney dialysis.

The research was published in the prestigious international journal Nature on Friday 22 March, coinciding with World Water Day and falling within South Africa’s National Water Week.

Call for Papers to commemorate the work of the late Danie Krige

altThe SAIMM proposes producing a special edition of the Journal, one that will showcase current research and best practices in the field of Geostatistics.

We invite experts in geostatistics around the world to submit papers for this special edition.

Abstracts of papers should reach the SAIMM Publications Co-ordinator, Kelly Mathee
(kelly@saimm.co.za ), by the end of July and the final paper is required by the end of October 2013 for publication in February 2014.

DOWNLOAD THE CALL FOR PAPERS ENTRY FORM (PDF 396kb)

Brigadier Stokes Memorial Award Nomination 2013

In 1980 the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy instituted a prestigious award to commemorate Brigadier Stokes for his outstanding and unique contribution to the South African Mining Industry over a period of many years.
This award consists of a Platinum medal.

The award is made to an individual for the very highest achievement in the South African mining and metallurgical industry, and is not necessarily based on technical considerations.

As can be seen by the long list of illustrious recipients below, the nomination of an individual for this award is taken after much deliberation and input from the SAIMM Council. We therefore urge Corporate Members to take cognisance of the gravitas of this award when submitting their nominations.

Other mining news

Mining Weekly | Africa

25 July 2026

The latest mining world news and project information from Africa. providing updates on the progress of future, new and existing projects. Developments in mining legislation, policies, investments and infrastructure will be highlighted
  • Mali's gold output seen staying below 60 tons through 2029, ministry plan shows
    Mali's industrial gold production is expected to remain below 60 metric tons annually through 2029, according to a mines ministry plan seen by Reuters, extending a decline that followed the introduction of a revised mining code and disputes between the state and miners. Mali, one of Africa's top gold producers, has tightened its grip on the mining sector under a 2023 mining code aimed at boosting state revenues.
  • The NUM concludes five-year wage agreement at Gold Fields’ South Deep mine
    The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), the majority union at Gold Fields’s South Deep Mine, has concluded a five-year wage agreement for employees at the mine. The multiyear agreement, negotiated in collaboration with UASA, is effective from March 1, this year, to February 28, 2031.
  • Modernisation of South African mining is an ‘urgent strategic priority’
    Mining modernisation, with private and public sectors as drivers, is an urgent strategic priority for the South African economy, a study undertaken by industry leaders, researchers, government partners, and innovators from across the South African spectrum reported very forcefully this week. “We see that our competitors are investing heavily in digitisation and automation, as well as critical minerals and beneficiation.