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.
Sedupe Josiah Ramokgopa
25 March 1939–12 January 2024
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.
Thursday, 22 August 2024 at 16:30,
at the Country Club Johannesburg, 1 Napier Road, Auckland Park
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.
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
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 2nd 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
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.
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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.
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.
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.
