Mining industry experts and scholars convene at the SAIMM Limpopo Branch Technical Conference to discuss innovation and sustainability in the mining sector. Photos: Forgive Hlungwani
By Phishego Mohubedu – ulpublications@ul.ac.za
As the mining industry continues to evolve, the Department of Geology and Mining at the University of Limpopo (UL) took centre stage by hosting the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) Limpopo Branch Technical Conference
The event brought together industry professionals, academics, and students to exchange ideas on advancing innovation and fostering collaboration within the sector.
Dr Maropene Rapholo, Head of the Department of Geology and Mining at UL (third from left), leads the team behind the successful SAIMM Limpopo Branch Technical Conference.
According to Dr Maropene Rapholo, Head of the Department of Geology and Mining at UL, the University was the ideal venue for this year’s conference due to its expanding focus on mining education and infrastructure. “With the recent opening of the Earth Sciences Building at UL, which will house advanced laboratories dedicated to the study and development of mineral resources in Limpopo, this was an opportune moment to bring such an important conference to our university,” she said.
The conference, themed ”Towards Sustainable Technologies and Innovation in the Mining Industry”, was sponsored by AECI, Tega Industries, Epiroc, and Makurung Process Solution, serving as a platform to showcase emerging trends in sustainable mining.
SAIMM President Dr Elias Matinde highlighted the Institute’s dedication to embracing new technologies, including artificial intelligence, to drive transformation in mining. He emphasised the broader responsibilities that come with such progress, including ethical leadership and social accountability. “We chose to host the conference at UL as a deliberate move to help develop young talent in the Department of Geology and Mining,” he said, reinforcing SAIMM’s goal to empower future leaders in the field.
Steven Zulu, Chairperson of SAIMM’s Limpopo Branch, delivered a keynote address on technological sustainability. He introduced the concept of a “safe operating space for humanity”, referring to the ecological and technological limits within which human development can proceed without causing irreversible damage. Zulu emphasised that achieving this balance requires strong investment in scientific and technical expertise. “We cannot speak of sustainable innovation without first investing in a robust scientific and technological skills base,” he explained. He also called on African nations to strive for technological decolonisation. “We must build and own our innovation systems, from research and design to implementation, so that our development is self-determined and sustainable,” he stated.
Demonstrating the relevance and quality of UL’s academic research, students from the Department also presented their work.
Mangapa Moloto, a Master of Science student, delivered a presentation titled “Towards Sustainable Mining Practices: Renewable Energy Transition”. He explored how technologies such as solar, wind, hydrogen, hybrid systems, and waste heat recovery could reduce mining’s reliance on fossil fuels. He noted that these alternatives not only lower carbon emissions but also improve energy efficiency and reliability, especially in off-grid mining operations.
Thoriso Magoro, another MSc student, presented her study on “Mineralogy and the Impact of Dolerite Intrusions on Coal Quality in the Limpopo (Tuli) Coalfield, South Africa”. She analysed eleven coal samples from the Madzaringwe Formation to assess how dolerite intrusions, masses of molten rock that penetrate coal seams, affect the quality of coal. Using petrography, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDX), her research contributes to a deeper understanding of the geological factors influencing coal’s usability.
The conference also provided valuable exposure for other postgraduate students. Irvine Mutodi, an honours student in Mining Geology, described the experience as “very insightful and educational,” particularly noting the presentation on Mining Waste Beneficiation using Sustainable Technology and Innovation. Fellow student Maluleke Matimba added, “I’ve gained a lot from the presenters and can’t wait to apply what I’ve learned to my studies.”