In February 2022, the Mandela Mining Precinct signed a memorandum of understanding with Royal Bafokeng Maseve’s Mine for the establishment of a test mine. The test mine situated in Rustenburg, North West is being developed as an industry site for research, development, and innovation as well as technology demonstration and testing.

The test mine will ultimately provide a facility for:

  • The testing and demonstration of locally and internationally manufactured mining equipment;
  • Research and development activities aligned to the SAMERDI mining research programme;
  • Synergistic opportunities for research projects being undertaken by the Mine Health and Safety Council to be trialled and tested;
  • Research work in mining conducted through universities;
  • The provision of facilities for undergraduate and postgraduate students to conduct vacation work, research and vocational training
  • The opportunity to conduct practical training for government certificates of competency;
  • A site for establishing a practical technology incubator; and
  • A site to enable local industrialisation and start-up companies to be incubated.

All these initiatives will be coordinated through the MMP and its partners.

For more information, contact Jurgens

Visser jvisser@mandelaminingprecinct.org.za.

Imagine if South Africa had its own underground testing facility:

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Our Programmes

“The Mandela Mining Precinct has been established to provide a community of researchers with an opportunity to work together in one space. The Mandela Mining Precinct initiative is implemented through six research-based programmes, all of which are aimed at improving the safety of mines and introducing innovative technologies to the industry.”

Longevity of Current Mines
(LoCM)

The Longevity of Current Mines programme is aimed at improving mining practices and procedures, particularly for established mines that are already constrained by their infrastructure. The aim is to prolong the sustainability of the mines, thereby maintaining current jobs.
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Mechanised Mining Systems
(MMS)

Aimed at providing sustainable mechanised drill, blast and mechanical rock breaking solutions in advancement towards atomised systems to facilitate achieving zero harm, whilst maintaining and defending desired production rates at minimised costs, within the au and PGM mining industries.

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Advanced Orebody Knowledge
(AOK)

The Advanced Orebody Knowledge (AOK) programme is aimed at providing mine planners, rock engineers, geologists and other decision-makers with information and knowledge that will contribute to optimal extraction and zero harm objectives. This knowledge is required ahead of mining to adequately inform day-to-day tactical as well as long term strategic decision-making.
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Real-time Information Management Systems
(RTIMS)

The Real-Time Information Management Systems programme aims to improve data sourcing, transmission, storage, dissemination, and information management tools, practices, and procedures for mines.
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Successful Application Of Technologies Centred Around People
(SATCAP)

The SAMERDI Successful Application of Technologies Centred Around People (SATCAP) programme aims to understand how both specific and general challenges relating to people in the mining modernisation process can be understood from all stakeholders’ perspectives. As systems, technologies and processes modernise, these will have an impact on the people in mining.
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