In July 2014 the SAIMM mining exhibition was opened at the Sci-bono Discovery Centre in Newtown, Johannesburg. The exhibition presents the opportunity to showcase the industry, provide information and encourage visitors to Sci-bono and learners to consider careers in the minerals industry.

It has been over 9 years since the official opening of the exhibition. The SAIMM is in conversation with the Sci-bono team regarding upgrading of the facility. Should you or your organisation be interested in supporting this project, through expertise or financial support, please contact communications@saimm.co.za or sam@saimm.co.za to pledge your support.

We look forward to your support in revitalizing the exhibition.

As we celebrate our diverse heritage, let us be deliberate about inclusion. The SAIMM Diversity and Inclusion Dialogue will kick off on Tuesday 26 September 2023. This will take place virtually to allow participation from all near and far. Book your seat today and add your voice to this important conversation. Click Here to register your attendance.

In the words of Verna Myers, ‘Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance.’ Let us dance!

Happy Heritage Day from our Council, Office Bearers, and Secretariat.

The Crucible is a podcast by the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. The objective is to ensure that our stakeholders have relevant information to enable decision making in an unpredictable future. Through the podcast we offer listeners a front row seat to conversations with specialists, experts and thought leaders in the minerals and metals sector. We discuss pertinent topics and burning issues to ensure that all stakeholders have real, in-time information.  

If you would like to participate by suggesting a topic, being interviewed, or recommending an industry expert, contact Sam Moolla on sam@saimm.co.za

The Brigadier Stokes memorial award is the highest achievement in the South African mining and metallurgical industry. The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy has the privilege to honour Nolitha Fakude with this award in recognition of her service and contribution to the industry.

Nolitha Fakude, the Chairman of Anglo American was presented the medal at the SAIMM Annual General Meeting on 18 August 2023. The medal is a symbol of her contribution to the mining fraternity. Nolitha is the current President of the Minerals Council of South Africa (MINCOSA), Non-Executive Director of the JSE Limited and Vice President of the International Woman’s Forum South Africa. She is also the Patron of Guild Cottage home for girls.

Previously, Nolitha served on the Board of Anglo-American plc from 2017 to 2019. She has worked in senior executive roles in various industries including Retail, Financial Services, Mining, and Oil and Gas. She served as an Executive Director and Executive Vice President of Strategy and Sustainability at Sasol Limited, and Chairman of Sasol Mining from 2010 until 2016. Nolitha was the President of the Black Management Forum (BMF) from 2003 to 2006 and its Managing Director between 2000 and 2003. She also served as a non-executive director of Harmony Gold 24 years ago. She now serves as a member of the Council of Elders and is a respected authority on transformation and empowerment in South Africa.

On accepting the 2023 Brigadier Stoke Memorial award, Nolitha quoted Maya Angelou saying ‘I come as one but I stand as ten thousand.’ As she accepted the award on behalf of all the unknowns in the mining and metallurgy industry.

Her accolades include: The 2004 Most Influential Businesswoman by Financial Mail, Impala Platinum Young Entrepreneur Award and the National Honor by the Golden Key Society of the University of Johannesburg. Nolitha has led from the front and has not been shy to tackle the tough issues that business has to deal with including policy reform to enable inclusive economic growth. Nolitha is an author of a book titled, “Boardroom Dancing – Transformation stories from a Corporate Activist”, published in 2019.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in Psychology from the University of Fort Hare and completed the Senior Executive Programme at Harvard Business School in the United States.

The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) has sworn in William Joughin as the new president for 2023/2024. The SAIMM announced the new president for the Institute at the Annual General Meeting which was held at the Johannesburg Country Club in Woodmead on Thursday 17 August 2023

William started working for Anglo American Gold Division as a mining graduate. William then transferred to the rock engineering department, where he discovered his real passion. He was seconded to integrated Seismic Systems International (now the Institute of Mine Seismology) to learn about mine seismic networks and rockburst management. He worked as a mine seismologist and a rock engineer for the next five years, on President Steyn no. 4 shaft (now Bambanani), then on Vaal Reefs no. 8 shaft (now Great Noligwa), Libanon, and Kloof gold mines. During this time, he completed his MSc Eng and -a GDE in Rock Engineering, as well as the Chamber of Mines Rock Mechanics Certificate, Advanced Rock Engineering Certificate, and Mine Manager’s Certificate of Competency.

William is fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit and provide consulting services for mines in 18 countries on six continents. He currently serves on rockburst management advisory boards for El Teniente, Chile and Kiruna, Sweden.

William has published over 50 articles on rock engineering and is the recipient of an SAIMM gold medal and the Alec Wilson Award (SANCOT) for outstanding papers. He has co-written two chapters on risk-based design in the book Ground Support in Underground Mines (Potvin and Hadjigeorgiou, 2020) produced by the Australian Centre for Geomechanics.

William is a Past President of the South African National Institute of Rock Engineering (SANIRE), and a Past Vice President for Africa of the International Society for Rock Mechanics (ISRM).

He joined the SAIMM as a student and has been a Council member since 2008. William has chaired three international rock engineering conferences and two schools as joint SAIMM and SANIRE events. He is a member of the Publications Committee and served as Treasurer from 2020.

William’s presidential address focused on ‘Managing geotechnical uncertainty and risk in mining.”

Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance.
– Verna Myers

When I was a child and someone would ask me what I wanted to be in future, I could not answer their question. You see, I wanted to be a pilot and, in my country, women were not allowed to be pilots. As a teenager, I remember crying because I was born a girl and I would never have the chance to be a soccer player in our national team.

Yet, I was lucky to be one of the first female mining engineers to graduate 20 years after the Islamic Revolution in Iran. I had finally been ‘invited to the party’, but I still needed to fight for the opportunity to dance.

My journey as a female mining engineer was exciting but I have had to constantly stand up for my rights, position, and a fair income. I needed to prove that my ability is no different from that of any other mining engineer. I wanted to succeed, not only for myself but also for future female mining engineers.

For me the concept of Diversity and Inclusion is important for all people regardless of their gender, race, culture, religion, and age. They should be able to dream and be allowed the opportunity to follow it. No one should encounter prejudice or have to fight for their basic rights. Everyone should be equally heard, seen, and respected.

I believe, that every single one of us in the mining industry has the responsibility to make this happen. We need to strive for a diverse and inclusive working environment which will result in an industry that is more innovative and productive when it comes to the business of mining.

Zohreh Fakhraei
Principal Consultant: Mining