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Reliability Best practices and Benchmarking Survey: Please share your views

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Created: Monday, 23 October 2017 10:05

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ReliabilityKPIs

You are invited to participate in a survey focused on prioritizing collaboration around Reliability Best Practices and Benchmarking. If you’re not the correct person within your organization, please pass this invitation to the appropriate person. Survey deadline is October 31.

The Reliability Working Group (RWG) of the Global Mining Standards and Guidelines Group is an operator focused group whose purpose is to promote knowledge and best practices sharing related to reliability in a mining context.

We are excited to announce that the SAIMM Online Journal system is now live!

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Created: Friday, 29 September 2017 11:07

You can now submit manuscripts and peer reviews online. The OJS assists you with every step of the refereed publishing process, from submission through to online publication. Authors can also check the status of their papers online and referees will receive automated reminders for their reviews.
We request you to register as an Author and/or Referee on the system.  To access the website please follow the link: http://saimmjournal.co.za/

The INTPART Metal Production Project

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Created: Monday, 11 September 2017 15:00

The INTPART Metal Production Project aims at strengthening ties and growing networks internationally through joint research and education projects. The three-year project is hosted by the Centre for Research-based Innovation (SFI) and funded by the Norwegian Research Council (NRC) and NTNU. The participating institutions are NTNU and SINTEF in Norway, and MINTEK and the University of North-West (NWU) in South Africa. The two focus areas of the project are fundamental reaction mechanisms for reduction processes and the use of carbon materials in metal production.

The project resulted from the two SAIMM Schools on Manganese Ferroalloy Production hosted in 2012 and 2016.

WIM UJ Young Women in Mining Conference

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Created: Tuesday, 05 September 2017 09:34

On the 11^th of August 2017 WIM UJ held its first Young Women in Mining Conference at the University of Johannesburg.

The SAIMM YPC attended the event in support of Young Women In Mining which aims at empowering the next generation of young women in the Industry.

Women in Mining UJ is currently the only female mining structure in the four South African mining schools.

WIM UJ has initiated the first annual young women in mining workshop in 2016 which was held by the Department of Mineral Resources and the Mine Health and Safety Council of South Africa, working in line with the mission and vision of WIMSA.

SAIMM President 2017/2018 – Prof Selo Ndlovu

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Created: Friday, 25 August 2017 08:39

On the 17th of August 2017 Prof Ndlovu was inducted as the SAIMM President for 2017/2018. The students and members attending the AGM welcomed her as president with applause. Prof Ndlovu is the second female president in SAIMM history.

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

Industry-Academic Collaborations: An Opportunity for the Minerals Industry during the Economic Downturn

Although collaborative partnerships between universities and the minerals industry have been ongoing for ages, the potential benefits that can be realized through such partnerships have become increasingly important and are more relevant now than ever. This is because the growing complexity of problems such as the depletion of rich and easy-to-treat ore deposits, rising production costs, water issues, and stringent environmental regulations, coupled with increasing economic pressure and hence budget cuts, has made it more difficult for companies to do all the necessary research in-house in order to remain globally competitive. Similarly, universities are continually faced with challenges such as a lack of steady financial support for their research and training programmes, as well as the need to have their research commercialized or applied to solve existing industry problems so as to enhance their reputations.

The SAIMM Young Professionals Council welcomes Sihe Nhleko as YPC Chairperson 2017/2018

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Created: Friday, 25 August 2017 08:35

After serving as YPC Chairperson since the establishment of the YPC two years ago, Tshepo Mmola (right) hands over to the YPC Chairperson 2017/2018 Sihe Nhleko (left).

Many impactful projects and events have successfully been implemented by the YPC in the past two years including a Graduate Employment Database, the Mentoring Programme, Soft Skills Workshops, an annual Career and Leadership Day and highly successful conferences such as the Entrepreneurship in Mining Forum and the Young Professionals Conference.

View more information regarding the YPC: http://www.saimm.co.za/young-professionals-council

SAIMM Journal Management

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Created: Thursday, 03 August 2017 15:28

The SAIMM is adopting a new system to manage the publication of the Journal. The Open Journal System (OJS) for journal management is a free, web-based platform that has been developed by the Public Knowledge Project at the Simon Fraser University in British Columbia through its federally funded efforts to expand and improve access to research.

Our present system of handling the submissions to the Journal, the refereeing process, and the iteration that takes place between authors, reviewers, the Journal Coordinator, and proofreader is by e-mail, telephone, and paper.

Ivanplats, CanPro, and ‘Maru A Mokopane’ digitally activate communities

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Created: Thursday, 03 August 2017 13:03

For South Africa’s communities to become economically active, it is essential that they have access to information and communication technology (ICT).

The long-lamented ‘digital divide’ remains alive and well, but an increasing number of companies are realizing the benefit of fast-tracking digital access for their workforce and neighbouring communities.

CanPro, a provider of digital workplace development and monitoring solutions, recently assisted mining company Ivanplats to do just that. Ivanplats’ Platreef platinum, gold, and nickel mining project is based in Mokopane, in South Africa’s Limpopo Province. Its operations are at the heart of a large community marked by socioeconomic challenges such as youth unemployment.

SAIMM response to the Government Gazette No. 40989 of 19 July 2017

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Created: Thursday, 27 July 2017 12:36

At its meeting of 21 July 2017 your Council noted concerns expressed by some of its members regarding the Government Gazette No. 40989 that is open for written representations to reach the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) by no later than Friday, 4 August 2017.

Council resolved that this matter does not fall within the ambit of the SAIMM’s objectives and mandate and the SAIMM will therefore not be making any written response to the DMR. However, any of our members who would like to make a written representation are encouraged to do so in their personal capacity.

Engineering active transformation

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Created: Thursday, 27 July 2017 12:02

Bluhm Burton Engineering attracts Black Economic Empowerment partner, Agile Capital.

Established in 1990, Bluhm Burton Engineering (BBE), is internationally recognised as a world leader in mine ventilation and cooling systems. Being a ‘proudly’ South African company, and acknowledging the needs of the country, BBE has long had an in-house employee development programme. This has included full-time bursaries, professional development and a share participation scheme. However to meet the time-frame of the Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Act it was decided to search for an empowerment partner.

After being introduced to Agile Capital, the parties soon recognised the merits of the partnership. “The benefits for our company in securing the right BEE partner cannot be underestimated” says Dr Steven Bluhm, CEO: BBE Group.

This transaction will take the BBE Consulting, BBE Projects and BBE Laboratory business units to an empowerment shareholding of +30% and the BBEnergy unit to an impressive +51% black-owned as measured by the BBBEE scorecard, with significant women ownership. “We were actually ahead of the Mining Charter until the recent revisions,” notes Richard Gundersen, Managing Director: BBE Projects; “And BBEnergy is now up to level 3 on the BEE scorecard” adds Chris Nell, Managing Director: BBEnergy

The Group continues to drive skills transfer and education through the development of young engineers. The firm regularly conducts training courses for the mines, mining companies and the various associations and societies affiliated with the mining industry. The BBE Group is registered with ECSA for the ongoing development of in-house professionals.

“We are pleased to be moving towards goals set in the NDP, which calls for greater transformation and inclusivity in this sector. We believe it can only strengthen our position in the industry,” notes Wynand Marx, Managing Director: BBE Consulting. “With an experienced management team, in addition to existing contracts with several major players across the industry, the growth prospects of the Group are good.”

“We are exceptionally pleased to partner the BBE Group,” says Tshego Sefolo, CEO: Agile Capital. “Given the team’s industry expertise and track record, coupled with Agile’s acumen and solid entrepreneurial team, this is a partnership geared for considerable growth.”

South Africa’s engineering abilities remain world class, delivering complex mining and infrastructure projects. The BBE Group’s new equity partners will enable greater transformation and inclusivity in both the EPCM sector and consulting engineering sector. “We look forward to this new chapter in the BBE Group and driving the changes in our industry,” concludes Bluhm.