GMG-SAIMM IN-PERSON FORUM

Topics

TOPICS COVERED WILL INCLUDE:

• Decarbonization and energy management
• Safety
• Operational best practices
• Getting the best use out of our data
• Integration and interoperability
• Autonomous mining
• Cybersecurity

Speakers

Hugh Maleka
Execution Excellence Manager, Ramjack

Hugh Maleka is an experienced Mining Engineer with over a decade in the industry, specializing in mining technology solutions across Sub-Saharan Africa. With a strong background in consulting, technical sales, and mining technology deployment projects across Africa, Hugh is responsible for driving revenue growth, strengthening client relationships, and expanding market presence for innovative mining solutions within Ramjack Technology Solutions. With a foundation in Mining Engineering, Hugh has extensive experience in mining, consulting and technical sales of mining technology systems that enhance production, safety, and sustainability. His expertise includes real-time production monitoring, geotechnical instrumentation, IoT-based telemetry systems, fatigue management solutions, and ventilation monitoring. Over the years, he has successfully led mining technology deployment projects across various underground and surface operations, integrating advanced monitoring and automation solutions to optimize performance, particularly in challenging environments with limited infrastructure. His ability to bridge engineering principles, technology, and business strategy ensures that mining operations achieve higher efficiency, regulatory compliance, and long-term sustainability. Hugh combines his technical expertise with a strategic market engagement approach, focusing on market penetration, product expansion, and business development. He collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to align business objectives with customer needs, training programs, and long-term service agreements. His market focus spans across Sub-Saharan Africa, where he actively drives growth initiatives and industry engagement. Passionate about knowledge sharing and driving impact through innovative technology solutions, he continuously seeks to empower mining operations with cutting-edge advancements that transform safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

Hulisani Mabe
Digital Technology Specialist, Geology and Mining, AngloGold Ashanti

Hulisani Mabe is a digital technology specialist in geology, mine planning, and mining technologies at AngloGold Ashanti. She is a qualified geologist and an MBA candidate focusing her research on the impact of digital Technology on the mining value chain. Hulisani has over 17 years of diverse experience in the mining industry, spanning operations, exploration, geological consulting, and digital transformation. Her expertise in digital mining technologies is demonstrated through key roles she has held, including OT Solution Architect, IM Project Manager, and DevOps Team Lead. Passionate about advancing women in the mining sector, Hulisani serves as a board member of WIMBIZ, an organization dedicated to supporting women in mining. Throughout her career, she has been at the forefront of driving digital innovation in the mining industry. Prior to joining AngloGold Ashanti, she contributed her expertise to leading companies such as Anglo Platinum, Hexagon Mining, Krypton Mining, and Exxaro.

Matete Shoroma
Senior Mining Engineer, Venetia Underground Mine

Matete Shoroma is a mining engineer with over 12 years of experience in underground and surface mining operations. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand, a degree in Computer Science from the University of South Africa, and a Master of Engineering degree in Technology and Innovation Management (cum laude) from the University of Pretoria. His expertise spans operational leadership, digital transformation and the integration of technology to improve mining efficiency and productivity.  He led the establishment of an Integrated Operations Centre (IOC), as the Control Room Manager for the Venetia Underground Project, consolidating multiple control rooms into a single, streamlined unit. He was also instrumental in the successful implementation of P101 for Venetia Underground, focusing on asset optimisation, increasing blast productivity, optimizing time at the face, reducing equipment downtime, and improving mining and support quality. Additionally, his work includes the implementation of automated and tele-remote operated drill rigs and loaders underground.

Currently serving as a Senior Mining Engineer for Venetia Underground Mine, he continues to drive business improvement initiatives and leverage technology-driven solutions to enhance operational efficiency in mining.

Louis Coetzee
Senior Manager (Data & Artificial Intelligence), Accenture

Louis Coetzee is a Senior Manager in Accenture’s Data & Artificial Intelligence group with over 25 years of experience in data, data science, machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT). He has worked across sectors like mining, retail, and manufacturing. Louis holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics, a Master of Engineering in Computer Engineering, and a PhD in Machine Learning from the University of Pretoria, South Africa.  Louis is dedicated to improving client outcomes by integrating data strategy, data, ML, and AI to address business needs effectively.

Fanie Terblanche
Managing Director at Elytica, a subsidiary of Epiroc.

Fanie is an AI and analytics specialist with over 20 years of experience in leveraging algorithmic approaches to tackle large-scale optimization, simulation, and predictive analytics challenges in the mining industry. He has pioneered quantitative methodologies that capture the complexities of operational activities and align them with strategic objectives, offering innovative solutions to critical mining problems. As an extraordinary professor at North-West University, South Africa, Fanie is an active researcher, regularly publishing in peer-reviewed journals and supervising several master’s and PhD students. Since 2017, he has served as the co-founder and managing director of Elytica, driving the development of AI and Advanced Analytics solutions.

Andrew Scott
Ambassador, GMG

Andrew has been involved in the mining innovation arena since the very beginning of his career over 30 years’ ago. Having studied biotechnology and computer science at the University of Queensland, he was drawn to the mining industry as a means of funding his ongoing study. As a young field assistant, he quickly found himself fulfilling the role of “go-to” person for any new technology that needed to be investigated or implemented. If ever he felt that a position within a company wasn’t giving him technology exposure, Andrew discovered that he would engineer himself into those roles. One example is when Michelle Ash became Chief Innovation Officer at Barrick, he made sure that he was on her team delivering on their digital strategy as Senior Director Innovation. Ultimately Andrew is focused to make the world a better place through innovation and appropriate use of technology! Develop deep symbiotic collaboration to stimulate, promote and realize positive outcomes for humanity and the planet earth.

Registration fees

Kindly note, registration closes on 7 March 2025. Please note late registrations will incur a R500 administration fee for registrations received after the closing date.

Programme

Download the Programme

Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Gugu Charlie, Conference Co-ordinator
E-mail: gugu@saimm.co.za
Tel: +27 11 530 0238
Web: www.saimm.co.za