By Gloria Shoki
The Mandela Mining Precinct (MMP) highlighted the importance of research, skills, innovation and technology in unlocking the economic potential of South Africa’s critical mineral resources at the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) Critical Minerals 2026 Conference, held from 30–31 July 2026 at the Royal Majestic Hotel in Rosebank, Johannesburg.
MMP Executive Director, Julie Courtnage, delivered a keynote address titled “The Hidden Infrastructure of Critical Minerals: A Systems Perspective for South Africa,” examining the systems and capabilities required to translate the country’s mineral wealth into broader economic value.
While South Africa and the wider Southern African region are well endowed with mineral resources, the presence of these resources alone does not guarantee economic benefit. Courtnage’s address emphasised that the infrastructure required to unlock this value extends beyond physical assets such as roads and railways to include the human capabilities, research, development and innovation that enable the mining ecosystem to function effectively.
For MMP, this “hidden infrastructure” is reflected in its five research-based programmes: Mechanised Mining Systems (MMS), Advanced Orebody Knowledge (AOK), Longevity of Current Mines (LoCM), Real-Time Information Management Systems (RTIMS), and Successful Application of Technologies Centred Around People (SATCAP). Together, these programmes focus on developing and supporting technologies and approaches that address key challenges across the mining value chain.
Courtnage highlighted Advanced Orebody Knowledge (AOK) as an example of how research and innovation can help translate mineral potential into economic value. By improving understanding of the orebody, AOK can support better-informed decisions about extraction and, ultimately, contribute to opportunities for greater value creation.
The keynote reinforced the importance of viewing critical minerals through a systems perspective. The value of these resources depends not only on what lies underground, but also on the capabilities, technologies, knowledge and people required to responsibly extract, process and derive value from them.
MMP’s participation at the conference provided an opportunity to contribute to the broader industry conversation on how South Africa can strengthen the ecosystem required to turn its critical mineral endowment into sustainable economic and industrial development.
