Joint SAIMM–GSSA Special Breakfast Event

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Event Overview

The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) and the Geological Society of South Africa (GSSA) are proud to host a distinguished joint event at the 2026 Mining Indaba, featuring one of South Africa’s most remarkable pioneers in mining, science, and exploration — Dr Jeannette McGill.

Dr McGill will deliver a Keynote Address titled:

“From 4km underground to 8km above: A Leadership Journey”

Her presentation explores an extraordinary personal journey, from working in the deepest mines on Earth to standing on the summit of the world’s highest mountain, offering a powerful narrative of resilience, technical mastery, and leadership under some of the most demanding conditions known to humankind.

SAIMM and GSSA

SAIMM provides professional excellence founded on international standards, technical leadership across the mining and minerals value chain, careerlong development through world-class events and publications, and strong connectivity linking industry, academia, and emerging professionals through a trusted global network.

The GSSA is the nation’s leading professional organisation for geoscientists, offering scientific excellence, a respected platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration, strong ethical and professional standards, a vibrant community connecting academia, industry, government, and emerging professionals, and ongoing engagement through conferences, technical groups, publications, and strategic partnerships Together, the SAIMM and GSSA represent the integrated value chain of mining and geoscience, from understanding the Earth to responsibly extracting and utilising its resources.

About the speaker

Dr Jeannette McGill is widely recognised as a trailblazer in mining and exploration:

• First technical woman to work on all the mines she was appointed to.
• The second woman in South Africa to obtain a Blasting Certificate.
• A highly accomplished mining engineer with extensive operational, research, and executive leadership experience.
• A celebrated Himalayan mountaineer, having led multiple high-altitude expeditions and 3x South African mountaineering firsts.
• Successfully summitted Mount Everest in May 2025, reaching the pinnacle of global mountaineering achievement.
• Led a trip to the deepest point of the African continent to the highest point: Mponeng to Kilimanjaro.
• Has descended into the depths of Mponeng Mine, the deepest operational mine in the world, experiencing extreme environments few have ever encountered.

As a past President of the GSSA and member of the SAIMM, Jeannette returns home to share her extensive global experience and expertise which will inspire the audience around self-leadership and goal setting in extreme environments.

programme

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contact info

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Gugu Charlie
Conferences and Events Co-ordinator

E-mail: gugu@saimm.co.za
Tel: +27 11 530 0238
Web: www.saimm.co.za