ICSU Workshop, BIUST, Palapye

1. ICSU Workshop, BIUST, Palapye Mintek Innovation Unlocking South Africa’s Mineral Wealth Dr Makhapa Makhafola GM, Research & Development 25 November 2013

2. Mintek -situated in Randburg, on the northern outskirts of Johannesburg

3. Mintek …… • is one of the largest and oldest mineral and metal technology institutes in the world (80 years old in 2014) • is a state-owned Science Council, governed by an Act of Parliament, with a board appointed by the Minister of Mineral Resources • focuses on all aspects of minerals processing and beneficiation, with the exception of iron- and steel making and coal processing • has a permanent staff of about 750, including 250 engineers and scientists • undertakes R&D and furnishes commercial testwork and consultancy services to clients worldwide • Has an annual budget of about R500 million: • 50% funding from state sources, focused on research • 50% commercial income, derived from various services to industry (Over 700 commercial projects last year) 3

4. International projects account for half Mintek’s revenue

5. Mintek’s extensive R&D underpins its commercial services • Mintekspends R250m annually on applied R&D (~50% of its budget) • These R&D outputs are transferred to industry either in the form of commercial service work or, on occasion, technology licences • Mintek undertook ~750 commercial projects annually, evidence of the high regard industry has for our technology Mintek sells innovation !

6. 79-year track record of technology transfer Historically …. • Uranium recovery in the 1940’s • Pebble- and run-of-mine milling in the 1950’s • Carbon-in-pulp in the 1970’s More recent developments .... • DC smelting for Koniambo FeNi , and SA beach sands • METRIX® resin-in-pulp for uranium recovery • ConRoast® smelting technology for high-Cr platinum • Cyanoprobe® on-line cyanide monitoring equipment • Minstral® furnace electrode and FloatStar® flotation control • Heap leaching design data for a very large Chilean copper project • Milling/flotation process for UG2 platinum ores

7. What do we need to have to achieve our Mission? Mission Add value to minerals sector through technology research, development and transfer – in support of national priorities and sustainable growth

8. Management of Ttechnology • Most of Mintek’s work requires high technology facilities and equipment – essential, not a “nice to have”! • Mintek is one of the best integrated facilities in the world in our field – we work hard to keep it at the cutting edge • Computer literacy and use – everyone has access to computer workstations (700 registered users out of 750 staff; about 800 computers in total) • Extensive use of sensing, measuring, modelling, simulation • Permanent person at Centre for High Performance Computing • Host wide range of NRF “national equipment” • Invest about R20m per year in facility and equipment upgrades • Leverage private sector investment in facilities and equipment • Easy access to 80 year report database via powerful search engine • Subscribe to ~6 on-line publication and database libraries, available to all staff

9. Management of Innovation • Combination “market pull” and “technology push” approach • Industry need ascertained from: • Commercial testwork activity • Industry-specific workshops • Joint participation in SAMMRI • Preparation of industry Technology Innovation Roadmap • Technology opportunities identified from: • Mintek internal early-stage research • Close relationship with technology vendors • Extensive international network • Strategy articulated in medium- to long term strategy (Mintek 2020) • Highly structured research management process: • 8 “platforms”, based on government priorities, strategic drivers, industry needs • Allocation of funding (~R200m) between these platforms • “Top Down” calls for internal proposals in these areas • Selection of projects from “Bottom Up” proposals • Cluster project management

10. Management of People • Promoting Mintek as a great first job • Providing stimulating and fulfilling environment • Encouraging publication and conference attendance • Close relationship with universities (on 3 advisory boards) • Bursary pipeline (delivering ~15 bursar graduates per year) • Graduate Development Programme, aligned to professional registration • Encouraging post-graduate study, locally and overseas – financial incentive • Drawing on retirees for mentoring and coaching (currently 5 under contract) • Formal acknowledgement of performance (APEX Awards, external awards)

11. Management of Systems • Our R&D portfolio provides the foundation for the consulting and testwork services we provide, so these are well-integrated • ISO9001, ISO14001, ISO17025 and OHSAS18001 certified • One of City Power’s largest single point users – monitor and control power factors and employ load shedding • Annually re-evaluate carbon footprint; currently preparing first water footprint • Community involvement via artisanal mining and craft programme (gemstones, jewellery, pottery, etc) – 184 people trained, 6 new businesses created • Input to SA legislation, analyse and report on international trends Commercial testwork and consultancy identifies problems and opportunities Opportunities and problems addressed in R&D programme, giving Mintek competitive IP base

12. Nice words, but do they translate to hard numbers?

13. Mintek in numbers – 2012/13 250scientists and engineers R200m R&D budget R300mtechnology transfer 44published papers 71 conference publications 3patent family filings 680media references 65,000chemical analyses 588technical reports 60 direct new SMME jobs 100SMME trainees 80part-time bursars 47full-timebursars 720 commercial projects 81interns

14. In conclusion …. • Mintek is an old, but not staid, organisation • We work hard at instilling an entrepreneurial culture in all staff – Mintek should be viewed as a hive of entrepreneurial, implementation-focused innovators • Technical staff work at Mintek because we are passionate about innovation • Not an academic research environment – primary focus on technology transfer and implementation • We believe Mintek: • Is a national treasure, • Is a world-leading innovator, • is vibrant and well-funded, • Is staffed with young, proud, talented individuals who will shape SA’s mining industry in future and we want to be recognised as such !!!