The inaugural Mintek Science Convention of Innovators (Mintek SCi), held on 19 July 2024, was a resounding success, establishing itself as a potential cornerstone event for young researchers in South Africa. Hosted at Mintek as part of the ongoing Mintek@90 celebrations, the symposium provided a dynamic platform for postgraduate students and emerging researchers aged 35 and under to showcase their innovative work.
The 2024 edition featured an impressive roster of speakers who offered valuable insights into mineral innovation, science, engineering, and technology. Prof Fulufhelo Nwelamondo, CEO of the National Research Foundation, delivered a compelling plenary address on balancing artificial intelligence with science and research. Ms Confidence Tshilande, Senior Geotechnical Engineer at SRK Consulting and the 2021 CESA Young Engineer of the Year, highlighted the importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations in the African context. Prof Indresan Govender, Group Executive at Mintek and Honorary Professor of Particle Technology & Mineral Processing at UKZN, presented on emerging technologies, while Prof Christie Dorfling, Chairperson of the Department of Chemical Engineering at Stellenbosch University, led a session on unlocking resources and critical minerals. A dynamic panel discussion, featuring Prof Glen Nwaila, Bridgette Mathebula, Kondwani Banda, and Bedelia Theunissen, explored strategies for attracting, upskilling, and retaining talent in the industry.
The event attracted approximately 200 delegates and exhibitors from a broad spectrum of esteemed institutions and organisations, including Omnia (Protea Mining Chemicals), Impala Platinum, Glencore Copper Africa, Sylvania Platinum, and numerous universities such as the University of Johannesburg, University of the Witwatersrand, and University of Pretoria, among others. The significant interest from academia, industry, and the media underscored the event’s impact and the sector’s enthusiasm for nurturing the next generation of researchers.
Mintek SCi has set a high standard and demonstrated its potential to become one of South Africa’s premier research platforms for young scientists and engineers. By facilitating interactions between emerging researchers and leading experts, Mintek SCi is poised to drive advancements in mineral and metallurgical research.
Dr Molefi Motuku, CEO of Mintek, remarked, “MintekSCi is poised to become a premier platform for young scientists. By providing a forum for emerging researchers to present their work and engage with industry experts, we are fostering an environment of innovation and excellence. This event reflects our commitment to developing the next generation of leaders in the mineral and metallurgical sectors, ensuring Mintek remains at the forefront of technological advancements and talent development.”
In his concluding remarks, Dr Motuku expressed gratitude to the partners and contributors who made the event possible, and congratulated all participants for their exceptional efforts. “The success of MintekSCi would not have been achievable without the support of our partners and the dedication of everyone involved. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all participants for their outstanding contributions and look forward to seeing how MintekSCi will continue to grow and inspire future generations of researchers.”
For media enquiries, contact Elvis Tshweneyame at: elvist@mintek.co.za
steven
Show SEO & AI-citation metadata for this article
DemoEvery article carries this structured metadata so it surfaces in search and can be cited by AI answer engines. In the back end, a person posting fills these in, or the AI layer drafts them.
