Building Capacity for Mining Innovation Through Public–Private Partnerships
Building Capacity for Mining Innovation Through Public–Private Partnerships
Context
Modern, safe, and efficient mining increasingly depends on the ability to innovate and apply new technologies. Across Southern Africa, mineral-rich economies face mounting pressure to extend the life of existing mines, improve safety, enhance productivity, and increase local value addition. Achieving these goals requires a strong ecosystem for research, development, and innovation (RDI), alongside the training of professionals who can deploy new solutions in the field.
Challenge
The region’s mining sectors face several interlinked challenges that limit innovation capacity:
- Declining economic contribution: In some countries, mining’s share of GDP has steadily fallen over the past few decades due to resource depletion, volatile commodity prices, and rising costs.
- Aging mines and outdated technologies: Many operations struggle with cost-ineffective and unsafe conditions as ore bodies mature.
- Skills gaps: Shortages of qualified professionals, particularly in research and innovation roles, risk the loss of institutional knowledge and the ability to adapt to technological change.
- High dependence on imports: Heavy reliance on foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for mining machinery and parts raises costs and limits opportunities for local manufacturing.
Approach
One example of how these challenges are being addressed is the Mandela Mining Precinct (MMP) in South Africa, a Public–Private Partnership launched in 2018 between the Department of Science and Innovation, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, the Minerals Council South Africa, and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.
Key initiatives include:
- Research and development: Implementing the South African Minerals Extraction Research, Development and Innovation (SAMERDI) strategy, focusing on areas such as advanced orebody knowledge, real-time information systems, and non-explosive rock breaking.
- Industry partnerships: Working with the Mining Equipment Manufacturers of South Africa (MEMSA) to promote local manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports.
- Technology modernization: Developing tools such as a “digital twin” for trackless mobile machinery and collision prevention systems.
- Capacity building: Partnering with universities and research institutions to train professionals and build sector-wide expertise.
Conditions
Experience from initiatives such as the MMP highlights several conditions that support successful capacity-building programs:
- Government support: Policy backing, RDI funding, and alignment with national mining strategies.
- Industry collaboration: Partnerships with mining companies and industry bodies to ensure RDI efforts meet operational needs.
- Policy frameworks: Local content and localization policies to stimulate domestic manufacturing and innovation.
- Research expertise: Leveraging national research institutions and universities to provide technical capabilities and facilities.
Observed Impact
Collaborative capacity-building programs can deliver broad sector benefits. In the case of the MMP, early results include:
- Extended life of mines: MMP’s research program on ‘Longevity of Current Mines’ (LoCM) for developing technological solutions that can help in extending the life of ageing mines to ensure continued production, through programs such as advanced orebody knowledge and mechanized drilling
- Improved safety: Implementation of technologies such as real-time monitoring systems and collision prevention tools are expected to reduce accidents and enhance worker safety
- Comprehensive industry-wide approach: Initiatives to create jobs, build capacity of mining professionals and address environmental issues have all contributed to the advancement of the mining industry
What’s Next for the Southern African Region
The example of the MMP can serve as a guide for other Southern African countries to create programs to build capacity of mining professionals:
- Collaborative models: Capacity building through PPPs, which can address sectoral challenges by providing the platform to pool resources and technical expertise
- Local value addition: Value addition initiatives to reduce dependence on imports and lowering costs can have multiplier effects on the local economy
- Skills and capacity building: The MMP’s focus on targeted research and development initiatives to foster collaboration among key stakeholders has been quite effective and can be adapted in other countries with rich critical mineral resources.
- Regional knowledge sharing: Using platforms such as SADC or AfCFTA to share best practices on skill development programs and conducting cross-country site visits can also help in disseminating knowledge widely in the region
https://www.csir.co.za/mandela-mining-precinct
https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/37488/
https://randwater.co.za/media/forums/presentations/MMP%20overview_Feb%202023.pdf