The Mandela Mining Precinct (MMP), through the Advanced Orebody Knowledge (AOK), proudly sponsored and staged an exhibition at the GeoCongress 2025, held at the University of Free State, Bloemfontein Campus, from 23 – 27 June 2025 under the theme “Embracing Change Through Collaboration.”
The GeoCongress is a prestigious biennial academic event that brings together leading academics, students, and industry experts from across South Africa. The event aims to showcase the latest scientific advancements, promote excellence in research, and enable scientific discourse to contribute to the development of geoscientific knowledge and practices.
At the conference, MMP AOK Programme Manager, Michelle Pienaar, presented on “Advancing Mining Through Geoscientific Research and Innovation.” The presentation emphasised the AOK’s vision of transforming orebody knowledge through advanced geoscientific tools; introduced the “Glass Rock” concept for achieving full geological transparency in mining; highlighted integration of data acquisition, processing, and prediction to improve decision-making. Emphasised collaboration with academia, government, and industry for real-world impact; and positioned AOK as a leader in driving innovation and sustainable mining practices in South Africa. “In essence, GeoCongress is not just a conference – it is a strategic platform that supports the AOK programme’s mandate to transform mining through research, innovation, collaboration and capacity development,” she says.
MMP AOK Intern Sivuyile Mkhondweni also presented on “A geological assessment of selected South African concrete aggregates susceptible to alkali-silica reaction,”. “My research is aimed at integrating geosciences with civil and environmental engineering to provide an understanding of aggregate behaviour and its potential susceptibility to alkali-silica reaction by studying the rock aggregates at a microscopic level,” she says. Her research provides important insights for both geologists and civil engineers regarding the selection of aggregates for concrete production by considering the aggregates’ geological characteristics. The MMP team also visited the AOK SAMERDI Research Centre (SRC) based at the University of Free State (UFS). The AOK SRC was established at UFS to support postgraduate geoscientific research and capacity development. It provides dedicated infrastructure, such as computers and workstations, for students conducting research aligned with the AOK portfolio.
“Attending GeoCongress 2025 gave me a broader understanding of how geology intersects with innovation in mining and exploration,” says MMP AOK Programme Administrator, Kgotso Mashego. “One key takeaway is the increasing role of artificial intelligence and digital tools in shaping the future of mineral exploration, particularly how these technologies can improve efficiency and decision-making,” He concludes.
