By: Marius Auret, RTIMS Programme Manager
Following our recent trip to China to explore non-Western technologies, one of our TSC members, George Nell from Goldfields, challenged us, stating “Our local mines are more on par than you think – come and see for yourselves.”
He was absolutely right.
On 19 February 2026, an MMP delegation, together with a representative from Sibanye-Stillwater, visited the Goldfields Control and Instrumentation (C&I) operations at South Deep Mine.
A Masterclass in Technological Maturity
The Control and Instrumentation (C&I) team delivered what can only be described as a masterclass in modern mining. We were given a sneak peek of their Mine Orchestrator – the digital “brain” managing the entire operations – alongside their strategic technology roadmap and vendor ecosystems.
What struck me most was not just the sophistication of their technology, but their openness. They shared their implementation strategies and successes with transparency that is rare and refreshing. It is now crystal clear why George was so adamant we visit – South Deep is world-class.
Strategic Synergies: MMP Programmes
The visit revealed strong alignment with several current MMP initiatives. A key highlight was their deliberate focus on the “worker of the future,” supported by significant investment in skills development. Their virtual reality training facilities and remote vehicle simulators are particularly impressive, demonstrating a forward-thinking approach to workforce readiness. There was clear interest in MMP’s work on skills mapping and capability maturity, with an appetite to explore deeper collaboration.
While much of their presentation centred on real-time information management systems, there were clear linkages to broader system integration areas that intersect with other MMP research programmes. This reinforces the importance of cross-programme collaboration within our own ecosystem.
Real-World Challenges: Where MMP Can Contribute
Despite their advanced capabilities, Goldfields was candid about the challenges that continue to demand attention, many of which align directly with MMP’s areas of focus.
In a significant gesture of collaboration, South Deep Mine shared its Reference Architecture with the intention of enabling broader industry learning. This represents the kind of “win-win” the sector needs, where knowledge is shared to accelerate collective progress rather than developed in isolation.
This engagement has highlighted the opportunity and indeed the need to replicate this model across other mining operations. As an industry, we must move towards a culture that prioritises collaboration over duplication, learning not only from each other’s successes but also from shared challenges.
Looking Ahead
This visit has sparked strong momentum for deeper engagement. MMP looks forward to expanding these interactions, reaching out to other mining houses to initiate similar knowledge-sharing sessions and explore opportunities for collaboration.
The path forward is clear: by strengthening partnerships and building on existing capabilities, we can collectively advance innovation and impact across the mining sector.
