In this episode of The Crucible, Dr Kym Morton leads a powerful discussion on the evolving science, technology, and governance of tailings management. She is joined by Justin Walls (SRK Consulting), Simone Maharaj (Impala Platinum), and Alistair Bovim (Insight Terra), who share insights into how mining houses and consultants are improving the safety, efficiency, and accountability of tailings storage facilities (TSFs).

This episode of The Crucible unpacks the relaunch of the SAIMM Diversity & Inclusion Committee with Zohreh Fakhraei, Mark Munroe, Selma Matshego, Maria Combrink, and Annah Kgaswane. They share their journeys in the mining industry, what diversity and inclusion mean to them, and the shifts they want to see - from inclusive leadership and flexible work policies to treating Diversity and Inclusion with the same urgency as safety and production in the minerals sector. This conversation highlights how the committee aims to move beyond tick-box compliance toward meaningful action that creates a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable mining sector.

In this episode of The Crucible, host Adelle Coetzee speaks with renowned tailings expert Andrew Copeland about the critical alignment of South Africa’s SANS 10286 standard with the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM). This episode provides deep insights into the historical context, the urgent need for reform following past dam failures, and the multi-stakeholder drafting process behind the revised standard.

Building Trust, Empowering Communities, and Securing the Social License. In this episode of The Crucible, host Kabelo Rathobei is joined by Alex Khumalo, Head of Social Performance at the Minerals Council South Africa, for a deep dive into the often-misunderstood concept of the social license to operate (SLO) in the mining sector. Together, they explore why legal compliance alone is no longer enough, and how mining companies must shift their focus from box-ticking exercises to building genuine, long-term partnerships with host communities. Khumalo discusses the importance of going beyond compliance, the role of government and policy, and why collaboration and economic diversification are key to sustainable development. Whether you're in mining, policy, or community engagement, this conversation offers valuable insight into the evolving expectations of the mining industry in South Africa.

The world’s dependency on metals has become more evident with the growing demand for metals required to drive advancements in the technological and digital landscape, and the energy transition for a carbon neutral future. This growing demand, however, implies that the metal extraction industry will need to play a significant role in providing the world with vast quantities of metals, crucial in the building of the necessary infrastructure. Join Buhle Xakalashe and Jochen Petersen for their discussion on the future of Hydrometallurgy. This episode was recorded with the Hydrometallurgy Conference in mind, which has since passed, but we believe that this is a pertinent episode which continues to drive the post-conference conversation forward.

In this compelling episode of The Crucible, former SAIMM President Zelmia Botha (Koketso Project & Commissioning Manager at Anglo American), sits down with Erwee Lourens (Senior Manager of Progress at ArcelorMittal South Africa) to explore South Africa’s ambitious decarbonisation efforts. Erwee, an industry expert, dives into the pressing challenges and groundbreaking opportunities on the path to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. He unpacks the complex balancing act between meeting the country’s energy demands and reducing emissions, emphasising that South Africa’s energy sector remains the largest contributor to carbon output. He also highlights the stark contrast between developed nations with greater resources for decarbonisation, and South Africa’s need to navigate its transition carefully to avoid economic disruption. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of energy, sustainability, and the evolving industrial landscape in South Africa.

In this episode, Nicole Wansbury and Ken Lomberg delve into the South African Code for the Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources, and Mineral Reserves (SAMREC Code), a crucial framework for ensuring transparent and standardised reporting in the mining industry. This episode features Ken Lomberg (former chairperson and current Director at Pivot Mining Consultants) and Nicole Wansbury (the new chairperson) explore the significance of this essential code, which has been setting the benchmark for responsible mineral asset reporting since 2000. Managed by the SAIMM and GSSA, the SAMREC Code ensures that mineral resources are reported accurately and consistently across all commodities and geological environments. The discussion also covers key topics such as the pivotal role of Competent Persons (CPs), the importance of technical studies in guiding project development, and how governance is embedded within the code’s framework. Don’t miss this insightful conversation about the code that continues to shape the future of mining and mineral reporting!

An open conversation on embracing challenges and thoughtful leadership. Listen in on this captivating conversation between Prelisha Singh, Mark Munroe, and Nomsa Mbere who discuss their experiences in leadership, pitching the appropriate leadership relationship, and the symbiotic nature of leadership roles. Their conversation spotlights the importance of being open to learning, adapting one's leadership style to their environment, and addressing unconscious bias on the basis of gender.

Celebrating 90 Years of Mintek's Legacy in Mining and Metallurgy. This episode of The Crucible the podcast celebrates Mintek's 90th anniversary and its contributions to the mineral and metallurgical industry. Zelmia Botha (Project Manager Feasibility Studies | Exxaro) is joined by industry stalwart, Roger Paul, who is preceded by a 35 year legacy with Mintek. Roger shares his passion for research and Mintek's significant contributions to mineral and metallurgical innovation.

An insightful discussion on ownership, mining, and professional growth. In this episode of The Crucible podcast, SAIMM YPC Office Bearer, Connie Chijara, hosts Tokyo Ndlela, Managing Partner at Tokyo Ndlela Attorneys Inc., SAIMM YPC Office Bearer, entrepreneur, and lawyer in the mining industry. Tokyo shares his background, starting in the oil and gas industry before transitioning to mining law, and discusses the benefits of entrepreneurship, such as developing an ownership mindset and the importance of personal growth.

A riveting discussion on the importance of leadership, culture, and people. Join SAIMM YPC Chairperson, Kondwani Banda and CEO of OIM Consulting, Arjen de Bruin as they discuss Arjen's illustrious career in the mining industry and essential tools that influence productivity in the minerals industry. Arjen unpacks the importance of leadership, culture, and a people-centric approach in driving productivity improvements.

A riveting discussion on the importance of leadership, culture, and people. Join SAIMM YPC Chairperson, Kondwani Banda and CEO of OIM Consulting, Arjen de Bruin as they discuss Arjen's illustrious career in the mining industry and essential tools that influence productivity in the minerals industry. Arjen unpacks the importance of leadership, culture, and a people-centric approach in driving productivity improvements.

In this episode, William Joughin, President of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) and Director of SRK Global talks to host Zelmia Botha who is the Immediate Past President of SAIMM. William shares his background and experience in the mining industry, including his work at Anglo American, SRK Consulting, and his involvement with various organisations like the South African National Institute for Rock Engineering (SANIRE) and the International Society for Rock Mechanics (ISRM). He discusses the importance of SAIMM in creating a platform for professionals to engage, learn, and share ideas, as well as its role in addressing challenges faced by the minerals industry through collaboration with other institutes, the Minerals Council South Africa, and the government. William highlights the benefits of SAIMM membership, such as access to publications, conferences, and networking opportunities. He also emphasises the importance of research and development, and the need for the industry to transition towards renewable energy and sustainable practices. The conversation touches on topics like the impact of global events on the industry, the brain-drain of young engineers, and the value of creating a global network through SAIMM.

In this episode, Dr Elmar Muller, Executive Manager: Hydrometallurgy at Mintek, talks to host Zelmia Botha about Rare Earths and the global impact and sustainability thereof. The key points they discuss include Rare Earth minerals being abundant but difficult to mine and extract, with low concentrations in ores (around 0.3%). They are essential for many modern technologies like electronics, renewable energy, defence systems, etc. Global consumption is around 200,000-300,000 tons per year. China currently dominates the production (97% in 2011). Other countries like the US, Australia, and South Africa are investing in developing their own rare earth supply chains to reduce reliance on China. The major challenges include high costs, environmental impact, lack of downstream processing facilities, and skills shortages. Recycling, finding alternatives, and reducing waste are key focus areas to improve sustainability. Collaboration between the government, the private sector, and research institutions is crucial for South Africa to develop a rare earth industry. Dr Elmar also presents some action items that could assist South Africa to develop a Rare Earth industry. Zelmia briefly mentions conferences like the Rare Earths Conference and the Battery Materials Conference which are being organised by the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) which aim to facilitate such collaborations.

In this episode, Simone Naicker, a mining influencer and speaker and Senior Metallurgical Engineer at Exxaro Resources, shares her insights on mentorship, personal branding 'My Tiara is a Hard Hat', and the role of young professionals in the mining industry. Key points include: Mentorship providing developmental value by facilitating knowledge transfer and skills growth through guidance from experienced individuals. A connected economy involves collaboration across borders, industries, and demographics, enabled by digital connectivity. Simone also discusses how organisations should benchmark best practices and collaborate to optimise mentorship programmes and leverage diverse mentor pools. She also explains how cross-gender mentorship offers valuable perspectives, however ethical considerations like preventing inappropriate conduct, are important.

In this episode, Dr Frank Crundwell (Founder of CM Solutions Metallurgical Consultancy and Laboratories) talks to host Nthati Monei on the topics of range versus specialisation and interdisciplinary approaches in the raw materials industry. Dr. Crundwell is a chemical engineer with extensive experience in the mining and metallurgy industry. He shares his career journey, highlighting the importance of being well-versed in various disciplines and combining ideas from different fields to solve complex problems. Dr Crundwell emphasizes the need for curiosity, continuous learning, and developing rules of thumb to become an effective generalist. The conversation also touches on the potential impact of AI on professional services and the need for mining companies to invest in research and development to address challenges like lower ore grades. Overall, the podcast provides insights into the value of interdisciplinary thinking and the evolving nature of careers in the mining and metallurgy sector.

Adapting sampling and blending methodologies to the changing environments. In the mining industry, we're witnessing a transition towards sustainable mining practices and increasing emphasis on resource efficiency. In this episode, we explore how the sampling and blending methodologies can be adapted for the changing environments with Richard Minnitt, Chris Robben, Martin Lischka, and Terence Nkosi.

New Technologies in Pyrometallurgical Engineering. Zelmia Botha is joined in the SAIMM The Crucible studio by Dr Johan Zietsman. Dr Zietsman has worked with a wide range of metals, holds a PhD in Pyrometallurgy, and is the CEO of Ex Mente. He speaks on the future of pyrometallurgy with the developments of Technology, highlighting the importance of failing. Failing early, failing cheaply, and failing well.

Advocating for women in mining - the good, the bad, and the reality. Fatima Hayat joins Kabelo Rathobei in The SAIMM Crucible studio. Fatima is a Human Resource Manager at Glencore and Communications lead at WIMSA. She speaks on creating a diverse and inclusive mining industry.

Diversity and Inclusion in the minerals sector is an ongoing conversation. Nonkululeko Mabuza, as a woman in the mining industry, shares her experience and career journey. We hope that this episode will encourage young women to consider a career in the minerals sector.