Mining

New reports outline roadmap for South African mining modernisation

Three Reports advance South African mining modernisation

The Minerals Council South Africa, together with leading research and industry partners, has launched three new reports exploring the country's mining modernisation journey

Focusing on research, development and innovation (RDI), artificial intelligence (AI) and international benchmarking, the studies provide a roadmap for strengthening South Africa's mining sector through technology, collaboration and innovation.

The reports reflect growing recognition that modernisation is no longer optional for one of South Africa's oldest and most important industries. With mining contributing significantly to employment, exports and economic growth, the adoption of innovative mining methods, digital technologies and AI will be essential to improving safety, health, sustainability, productivity and the country's long-term global competitiveness.

The publications comprise Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) for the Modernisation of South African Mining, prepared jointly by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (CeSTII) and RIIS through a pilot research project with the Minerals Council South Africa; The Global Benchmarking Report, produced by RIIS and the Minerals Council South Africa; and 10 Insights into 4IR Report: AI – Powering the Future, developed by PwC Smart Mining in collaboration with the Minerals Council South Africa.

Why is mining modernisation important?

Mining modernisation involves adopting advanced technologies such as AI, automation, digitalisation and innovative mining methods to improve operational safety, productivity and sustainability. It also enables mining companies to optimise exploration, reduce operating costs, enhance workforce safety and remain competitive as global demand for critical minerals continues to grow.

Commenting on the launch, Sietse Van Der Woude, senior executive: Modernisation and Safety at the Minerals Council, said, "The launch of these publications marks another significant milestone in advancing South Africa’s mining modernisation agenda and reinforcing the sector’s commitment to innovationled safety, growth, inclusive industrial development and global competitiveness."

The reports were unveiled during the Modernisation Showcase, which brought together mining executives, policymakers, researchers, technology providers and innovation partners to help define the sector's technology and innovation priorities for 2026–2030.

RDI study highlights innovation gaps and opportunities

The first report, Modernisation of Mining in South Africa: Research, Development and Innovation Patterns and Firm Capabilities (2021–2023), was led by HSRC-CeSTII in partnership with the Minerals Council, with contributions from RIIS and Copenhagen Business School.

The study analyses firm-level RDI activities driving mining modernisation while identifying the factors enabling and constraining innovation across the sector. One of its key findings is that South African mining companies are currently focusing more on adopting existing technologies than investing directly in research and development.

The report also identifies skills, collaboration, infrastructure and investment capacity as essential foundations for successful modernisation. However, governance challenges together with shortages of engineering, managerial and technical skills continue to hinder progress, reflecting broader gaps in tertiary education and formal workforce training.

Globally, mining companies are increasing investment in digital technologies, automation, robotics and advanced analytics to improve operational efficiency and reduce risk. The report suggests South Africa can strengthen its competitiveness by complementing technology adoption with greater investment in research capability, innovation partnerships and workforce development.

Dr Nazeem Mustapha, who leads the Centre for Science, technology and innovation Indicators, said, "In South Africa the number of researchers per capita is about five times lower than Australia. This gives us an indication of how far behind the curve South Africa is relative to countries that have perhaps more actively and aggressively pursued modernisation in mining practices."

Global benchmarking identifies lessons from leading mining nations

Prepared jointly by RIIS and the Minerals Council South Africa, the Global Benchmarking Report examines how leading mining countries are advancing modernisation through innovation, technology adoption, policy frameworks and strategic investment.

The report finds that globally competitive mining industries are supported not only by advanced technologies but also by strong innovation ecosystems and close collaboration between governments, research institutions and industry. It also outlines recommendations aimed at strengthening South Africa's competitiveness and accelerating the adoption of innovative mining technologies.

As competition for investment in critical minerals intensifies, countries that successfully integrate policy, skills development, infrastructure and innovation are expected to be better positioned to benefit from growing global demand associated with the energy transition.

Sylvesters Okello, a principal at RIIS, said, "South Africa stands at a defining crossroads in mining modernisation. Despite holding worldclass mineral wealth and a capable private sector, the country trails global leaders due to regulatory uncertainty, critical skills gaps, and fragmented innovation efforts. This benchmarking study, conducted across ten countries, confirms that nations which modernise successfully do so by investing simultaneously across policy, infrastructure, and skills – not in sequence.

The findings are clear: South Africa’s window to position itself as a preferred global critical minerals supplier is open now, but it will not stay open indefinitely. Government, industry, and research institutions must act with urgency and genuine coordination before faster-moving competitors close the gap."

AI report explores the future of mining operations

The third publication, Ten Insights into 4IR in South African Mining, developed with PwC, examines how AI and Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies are reshaping mining operations, leadership, workforce development, productivity, safety, health and sustainability.

Drawing on interviews with mining CEOs and industry stakeholders, the report highlights the growing role of AI in supporting operational efficiency, improving decision-making and strengthening safety, while emphasising that successful digital transformation requires leadership commitment and workforce readiness alongside technology investment.

Ian Mackay, associate director, Mining Transformation at PwC South Africa, said, "For PwC, this third edition of the study reflects our ongoing commitment, alongside the Minerals Council South Africa, to support the mining sector through a period of significant change. By bringing together industry voices and practical experience, we aim to help mining leaders navigate complexity, make better decisions and unlock sustainable value."

A roadmap for the future

Collectively, the three reports underscore the importance of collaboration between industry, government, academia and innovation partners in addressing some of South Africa's most pressing mining challenges, including infrastructure development, future skills, digital transformation, decarbonisation and faster technology adoption across the mining value chain.

Together, they present a practical roadmap for accelerating mining modernisation, enabling the sector to improve safety, productivity and sustainability while strengthening South Africa's position as a globally competitive mining destination and supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Cementation Africa advances early underground mine dewatering design

Successful underground dewatering relies on careful planning, specialised equipment and precise installation to manage restricted access, high pressures and complex logistics. (Image source: Cementation Africa)

Cementation Africa is encouraging mining companies to prioritise underground dewatering during the early stages of mine development, emphasising that proactive planning is essential for managing groundwater inflows efficiently throughout a mine's lifecycle

According to the company, successful dewatering strategies begin during the feasibility phase, where hydrogeological investigations provide critical data on anticipated groundwater volumes. This information forms the basis for designing systems capable of supporting long-term underground operations.

"Hydrogeological studies form part of the mine’s initial feasibility work, with drill holes to understand what volumes the mine is likely to encounter," explained John Goulding, study manager mine engineering at Cementation Africa.

"Cementation Africa, as a leading underground mining contractor, uses this data as the basis for planning a dewatering strategy in a multi-disciplinary engineering process that intersects mine design, shaft infrastructure, power systems and operational logistics."

The company says its approach combines engineering design, construction expertise and operational knowledge to deliver integrated dewatering systems that address the practical challenges encountered in underground mining.

"Our strength lies in our ability to design and execute dewatering solutions across the full project lifecycle - from feasibility through to the operation of pump stations," Goulding said. "This includes the civil, mechanical, electrical and control design aspects that must come together in an underground dewatering system."

By incorporating dewatering requirements at the earliest stages of project planning, mine developers can ensure that pump stations, settling facilities and water storage infrastructure are appropriately located and sized to handle expected groundwater inflows. Early design also allows systems to be configured with sufficient flexibility to accommodate changing mining conditions over time.

Louis du Plessis, project engineer mine engineering at Cementation Africa, noted that the company frequently supports clients during the feasibility stage by providing engineering studies and technical option assessments.

"By conducting studies and technical assessments to guide mines’ decision-making, we can help them determine the most appropriate approach before committing to major infrastructure investments," said Du Plessis.

He added that underground dewatering systems should always be tailored to the specific operating conditions and infrastructure of each mine.

"This means working very closely with our clients, understanding what they need, and designing around that," he said. "This collaborative process leads to engineering solutions aligned with operational realities rather than purely theoretical designs."

The company also highlights the importance of carefully positioning dewatering infrastructure underground. Pump stations must remain accessible for safe maintenance, while pipelines need to be routed through shafts and haulages without interfering with other essential services such as power distribution and mine ventilation.

Despite detailed hydrogeological investigations and modelling, groundwater inflows can remain difficult to predict accurately.

"Even with studies and modelling, there remains considerable uncertainty about the volumes of water that miners will encounter during development and mining," Goulding said. "This makes it vital to design dewatering strategies that can adapt to varying conditions rather than simply operating at a fixed capacity."

To improve operational resilience, dewatering systems can incorporate spare pumping capacity or be designed for future expansion. Flexible configurations also enable water to be transferred between different mining levels as operations extend deeper underground, ensuring efficient groundwater management throughout the life of the mine.

Technology key to future of African mining

Innovation and technology will power Africa’s future mining story

Technology, telecommunications and other innovative solutions will be just as important to Africa’s mining future as the rocks and gemstones in the ground

"The future of mining is not just in terms of the minerals and what we can extract from the ground, it's also about the ecosystem of industries that enable mining to thrive,” said Paratus Botswana managing director, Shawn Bruwer.

Paratus Botswana and Eutelsat showcased resilient, integrated connectivity solutions for mining during the recent Future of Mining Summit 2026, as southern Africa’s mining sector continues to embrace digital transformation.

As the official connectivity partner and silver sponsor, Paratus Botswana and Eutelsat engaged with delegates on how combined terrestrial and satellite capabilities can support Botswana’s mining sector.

Paratus Botswana provides Eutelsat Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite services, combining them with terrestrial infrastructure to support increasingly digital mining operations, particularly in remote locations where traditional infrastructure alone cannot always meet operational requirements.

“We see the mining sector as a catalyst for growth across a range of supporting industries,” said Bruwer.

“That includes people, power, rail, roads and telecommunications. Modern mining requires connectivity that is integrated, scalable and resilient, and the support to go with it.”

Eutelsat’s LEO technology is suited to mining environments because it can extend low-latency connectivity to remote and distributed operations, while adding redundancy where fibre or microwave links may be limited, delayed or unavailable.

"Integrated network models are creating a new connectivity environment for the mining sector,” said Philippe Baudier, vice-president of Eutelsat Africa.

“By combining Eutelsat OneWeb's Low Earth Orbit capabilities with Paratus extensive network and expertise across Africa, their local support and experience in mining environments, mining operations can achieve greater efficiency, resilience and continuity.”

Barloworld delivers southern Africa's first Cat 707 wbt

Sky Park strengthens De Beers rough diamond operations

Pilot Crushtec launches compact mobile scalping screen

DynamiTrac_XS200_Mobile_Scalping_Screen_Solution

Efficient scalping and material classification help remove oversize and fines early, improving downstream crushing performance and overall plant efficiency. (Image source: Pilot Crushtec)

Pilot Crushtec International has expanded its mobile screening portfolio with the introduction of the DynamiTrac XS200 Xtreme Mobile Scalping Screen, a compact solution developed to help smaller quarrying, mining, construction and recycling operations improve productivity without investing in larger, more complex equipment

Designed as an entry-level mobile scalping screen, the DynamiTrac XS200 is aimed at contractors, emerging operators and smaller sites seeking dependable screening performance in a compact, cost-effective package. The machine has been engineered to balance mobility, operational simplicity and affordability while meeting the demands of a wide range of material processing applications.

One of the unit's defining features is its compact footprint, which enables easy transportation and allows it to fit inside a standard shipping container. This simplifies logistics and reduces transport costs, making the machine particularly well suited to projects across Africa, where remote locations, limited infrastructure and rapid deployment are often key operational requirements.

According to Jorge Abelho, director technical support at Pilot Crushtec, the new machine addresses increasing demand for flexible screening equipment tailored to smaller-scale operations.

“The DynamiTrac XS200 was designed for operators who need mobility, simplicity and reliable performance in a compact package,”stated Abelho.

“Not every operation requires large high-output equipment. Many smaller sites need a machine that can move quickly, screen efficiently and be deployed without major infrastructure or transport costs.”

Its mobile configuration enables operators to position the screen close to the extraction or working face, reducing material haulage distances, improving material flow and allowing faster relocation as site requirements evolve. The result is greater operational flexibility and improved efficiency throughout the production process.

The DynamiTrac XS200 is designed to efficiently scalp and classify run-of-mine, blasted and recycled materials by removing oversized material and fines at an early stage. This helps improve the efficiency of downstream crushing circuits, protects processing equipment from unnecessary wear and contributes to a more streamlined plant layout.

To accommodate different operating conditions, the machine can be equipped with a range of screening media, enabling users to optimise performance for various feed materials and end-product specifications across quarrying, aggregates, construction and recycling applications.

The unit also incorporates straightforward controls, rapid commissioning and simplified maintenance requirements, reducing downtime and making it easier for operators to maximise productivity without increasing operational complexity.

Summing up the company's approach, Abelho said, “With the DynamiTrac XS200, Pilot Crushtec continues to deliver fit-for-purpose equipment designed around real operational needs, and this particular machine offers smaller operations a practical, mobile and highly transportable solution built for performance and flexibility.”

Barloworld delivers Southern Africa's first Cat 707 WBT

Barloworld Equipment delivers Southern Africa's first Cat 707 WBT trucks. (Image source: Barloworld)

Barloworld Equipment delivers Southern Africa’s first Cat 707 WBT trucks to Northern Cape mining customer

Barloworld Equipment has successfully handed over two Cat 707 WBT (World Build Truck) units to a mining customer in South Africa's Northern Cape, marking the first sale and delivery of the Cat 707 WBT trucks in Southern Africa.

The milestone represents a significant step in expanding the availability of Caterpillar's latest off-highway truck technology across the region, while supporting mining customers with modern, high-performance fleet solutions.

The delivery forms part of a customer-focused fleet replacement strategy designed to align with PDMI Level 9 readiness requirements, ensuring the customer is equipped with machinery that meets evolving operational and safety standards.

Built on the proven Cat 707 platform, the Cat 707 WBT is designed to deliver dependable performance, high productivity and reliability in demanding mining environments. The trucks also feature VisionLink connectivity, enabling enhanced fleet visibility, real-time equipment monitoring and data-driven insights to help optimise operational efficiency and fleet performance.

The successful handover further reinforces Barloworld Equipment's long-standing partnership with the mining sector by providing solutions that support safer operations, improved productivity and future-ready fleet management.

Commenting on the achievement, the company said, "This milestone reflects our commitment to delivering innovative solutions that support our customers’ operational goals while helping them prepare for the future of mining. Congratulations to the Bloemfontein Region teams on making this landmark delivery a success. Here’s to powering productivity, advancing safety, and helping our customers build a better world."

The delivery marks an important milestone for both the customer and Barloworld Equipment, as the Cat 707 WBT enters the Southern African mining market for the first time, paving the way for wider adoption of the platform across the region.