Prof. Glen holds a MSc in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cape Town and PhD in Economic Geology from Würzburg University (Germany).

His research focuses on improving ore characterisation and predictive modelling to optimise target exploration, ore extraction, processing, and mine waste valorisation.

Specifically, Glen and his students work on geometallurgy, machine learning, and spatial data analytics research projects related to multiscale and multivariate data integration, big remote sensing, and geochemical data analysis to enable optimal decision-making in the presence of uncertainty. Glen’s research interests include the genesis and evaluation of ore deposits, machine learning applied to geoscience and extractive metallurgy, metal accounting, and process optimization in hydrometallurgical plants. The emphasis of his most recent work has been on the impact of digital transformation in the mining industry and the move toward dry labs and data banks for process simulation and method development.

Mr. Naidoo holds a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Natal and is a certified Professional Engineer with ECSA. He has acquired certificates in project management, financial management, value engineering and Mr. Naidoo’s career began at the CSIR’s Mining Technology Division as a Research Engineer where he was involved in a variety of research projects including underground mine support design, Mine Health and Safety Council projects and technology driven initiatives for over 5 years. He obtained a merit award for successful project outcomes for a mining project at the CSIR. This was followed by 5 years in the manufacturing arena at Joy Mining Machinery as a Senior Mechanical Engineer where he led aspects of a special project that involved developing a hard rock continuous cutting machine and obtained a design patent for the rock breaking system. At Thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions he was a Lead Engineer for multi-million-rand projects for over 5 years including the design and construction of the first vertical lime kiln in Zambia. He also managed proposals for a brief period in the petrochemical department. Thereafter he joined Fermel as a Design Office Engineering Compliance Manager where he was responsible for mine vehicle certifications, design compliance and quality assured outputs from a design team. His passion for training young engineers and design led to him winning the first phase of the Isidingo Drill Challenge that was an initiative hosted by the Mandela Mining Precinct. He spent some time at Bosch Projects in the Sugar and Industrial Department as part of a leadership team and was involved in major projects including the design of one of the largest rotary cascade sugar dryers in the world for a Client in Thailand. His technical know-how also led to him having a brief involvement in a major expansion project at Tronox Minerals Sands. He was the Principal Adoption Specialist for the Minerals Council’s MOSH Transport and Machinery Team for over two years where he was able to express his passion for engineering, safety, and the mining industry through the many safety initiatives that he is responsible for. He was promoted to the Head of Safety and Sustainable Development at the Minerals Council South Africa.

Dr. Adwoa Issaka is a seasoned mining engineer with 14 years’ experience in the mining industry. She holds a BSc, Masters, and Doctorate in Mining Engineering from WITS University, marking a historic achievement as the first black South African woman to earn a Doctorate in the field.

Adwoa's career is distinguished by her extensive and invaluable mining technical operational expertise. Her role as Unit Manager Safety at Goldfields reflects her unwavering dedication to enhancing safety standards in mining.

Over the past nine years, she has also conducted research on mineral-based sustainable economic development, deepening her expertise. Adwoa's unique strength lies in her ability at bridging safe mining practices with sustainable development, a principle she passionately advocates for.

Pogiso Mthimunye graduated as an Industrial Engineer with a BtechEng (Cum laude) from the University of Johannesburg, a B.Sc. (Hons) from the University of Pretoria and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from the Gordon Institute of Business Science. He is currently final-year MBA candidate at the University of Cape Town.

Pogiso is an emerging technology, innovation, and strategy leader with more than 12 years of exposure across the full spectrum of business functions across the mining value chain. His current role is as Innovation Lead for Exxaro Resources’ coal operations in South Africa.

He was named among the top 200 Young People in South Africa in 2023 by the Anglo-American Mail & Guardian Newspaper Top 200 awards. In the same year, he was named among the Top 5 Rising Stars in the South African Mining Industry at the annual TransUnion Rising Star awards.

Fleckson has more than 15 years of working experience in the mining industry. He holds a Master of Science in mining engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand and a BSc (Hons) in mining engineering from the University of Zimbabwe. Fleckson, Centre of Excellence Manager at the Mine Health and Safety Council, has extensive experience across the sector, covering mine production management, mining studies, mining-related research, feasibility studies, business improvement, research management, project management and mine occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental management. He joined the CSIR in 2018 and has been involved in mining performance improvement, OHS and its link with culture transformation/management and risk management, change management (including technology adoption), impact assessments, progressive modernisation in mining, technology road mapping, skills road mapping, techno-economic assessments, socioeconomic assessments and mining sustainability.

Partner, Spoor & Fisher, South Africa
Louw Steyn is a registered Patent Attorney and has BEng (Mech) and LLB degrees. He is an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa.

Louw specialises in domestic and foreign patent and design matters, including the drafting, filing and prosecution of patent and design applications. He has expertise in the fields of mechanical and general engineering, medical devices and software-related inventions and he focuses, in particular, on innovations and developments in the automotive, mining and energy generation fields.

Louw also has experience in dealing with commercial IP matters, patent, copyright and design litigation and technology landscaping.

Education and Qualifications
• BEng (Mech), University of Pretoria
• LLB, University of South Africa

Industry Associations
• Fellow – South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL)
• Member – Law Society of South Africa (LSSA)
• Member – Legal Practice Council (LPC)
• Associate Member – Mining Equipment Manufacturers of South Africa (MEMSA)

Personal Statement
Through the Wits Mining Institute and School of Mining Engineering at Wits University, Fred has dedicated much of his life to mining education and research. Fred retired from WITS in 2021, where he is still Visiting Professor Emeritus, in addition to being Visiting Professor and Part-Time Director of the Sibanye-Stillwater Centre for Sustainable Mining at the University of Johannesburg. Fred also held recent visiting scholarly appointments in China and Japan on the theme of mine modernisation. As Director of Minserv, Fred is Coordinating the MMP RTIMS Open Data Analytics Platform as research and solutions partner of the SAMERDI Programme, and is doing consulting with a technology focus on mining life cycle analysis at a strategy level.

Personal Mission.
To do good and to make a positive contribution to responsible mining in Africa.

RTIMs focusses on Research, Technology and Innovation in/for 4th Industrial Revolution Technologies and Approaches for the Minerals Council South Africa.
JJ's career of 30 years spans several industries and geographies, he is a globally certified PMP (Project Management Professional) and NPDP (New Product Development Professional), including COBIT, ITIL and BPMs. He completed the MBA-LS degree at the University of Cumbria and a Master’s in Science in Information Systems Management degree from the University of Salford (England).
JJ leads and chairs the Mining Industry’s Digital and IT Policy Management Committee and serves as co-chair at the Industry Internet of Things Consortium’s Mining Vertical Working Group. He also serves as Organising Committee member for the Digitalisation in Mining Conference (for the SAIMM). He was recently invited to serve on the Mining Indaba Advisory Committee for Technology and Innovation. He still finds time to assist and collaborate with MEMSA (Mining Equipment Manufacturers of South Africa) whenever the opportunity presents.

Experienced in community engagement and social licence to operate. For the past five years I have helped organisations build enduring relationships with their communities, as well as enlighten communities on the possibilities of enjoying shared value with organisations. My research interests are in community relations , stakeholder engagement, community resilience, corporate governance and social licence in the context of global warming challenges and pandemics in emerging markets

Alex Fenn is the Head of Innovation at Sibanye-Stillwater. A South African native, his mission is to make a difference and add significant value to the broader metals industry through innovative solutions to significant global challenges developed at Sibanye-Stillwater.

As Head of Innovation, he coordinates the Group’s research and development, and innovation initiatives, identifying opportunities for shared value creation through means, mechanisms and technologies .

Prior to his current role, Alex served in numerous roles associated with Engineering and Improvement.

Davis is the Chairman, and Senior Partner, at RIIS, the largest innovation advisory firm in Africa, focused on the nexus of strategy, innovation, and development. Davis lead the mining practice at RIIS in South Africa for 10 years, and is now based in Kenya where he leads the East Africa activities of RIIS and the broader Anza group, which include Anza Capital, an early-stage VC fund, and the SA Innovation Summit, one of the largest start-up events in Africa. He is the past Chairperson for ZASpace, the industry lobby group for the South African private space sector, a Karman Fellow, and an M&G 200 Young South Africans Leader.

He has a diverse professional history, including global strategy and management consulting, public sector (SA local government), start-ups (renewable energy and FMCG) and multinational environments (including mining). Having worked across Johannesburg, London and Nairobi, he has worked with multinational companies and development-focused institutions in 35 countries. His work at RIIS has helped (or is helping to) build major innovation ecosystems in the mining, energy, and space sectors across Africa.

His academic background includes undergraduate degrees in Physics and Applied Math (UP), and Politics, Philosophy and Economics (UNISA); and graduate degrees in Development Studies (SOAS), Futures Studies (USB), and an Executive MBA from IESE

With a postgraduate degree in Earth and Life-Sciences, Julie commenced her career with the Anglo-American Research Laboratories at the age of 21, and has been working in, with and against the mining sector for 34 years. She has held research, mining operational, consulting, advisory, international executive, and international liaison roles within the minerals sector. An environmental scientist by training & a sustainability practitioner, she consciously shifted her career from pure scientific solutions, to focus to people’s behaviour, values, decision-making processes, and creativity, as these are the roots of harmonising economic activities with the realities of environmental and social needs.

A qualified coach and facilitator, Julie has delivered multiple academic programmes on the intersections between risk, sustainable development, social justice, ethics and governance, communication, and values-based leadership.Her last corporate employment in the mining sector was as the Sustainable Development Operations Manager for Anglo American plc. She was successfully independent for 16 years, before taking on the role of the Executive Director of the MMP on a full-time basis in September 2023. Julie shares that her greatest joy is found in wild nature, while her sense of humour keeps her grounded, and sometimes apologising.

Sietse has a Masters degree in radiation physics. As Manager at the National Nuclear Regulator, he was responsible for the establishment of a regulatory framework for radiation protection in mining. He did his MBA with a focus on integrating sustainability issues into the strategy of businesses. He then joined Xstrata as a manager responsible for safety, health, environment, and quality.

In 2004 he was appointed as the Head of Safety and Sustainable Development in the Mineral Council (formerly Chamber of Mines) where he enjoyed being part of the mining industry's safety and health enhancement initiatives.

Since 2015 he serves as the Senior Executive: Modernisation and Safety and his purpose remains to help facilitate a people-centric modernisation of the mining industry.

Outside of work, Sietse always looks for opportunities to make a difference. Sietse also loves spending time with his 10-year-old son, Simo a name that is derived from the Isizulu word meaning ‘Miracle’.

Tebogo is an award-winning innovator who leads a team of engineers who continuously explore next generation solutions in mineral processing using knowledge, technology and process systems.

At Gravitas® he continuously co-creates value for the mining industry through research, innovations and fit for purpose technology development.

He believes in ESG as for him, it spells mutual benefit – for people, planet, communities and profit for the mining industry at large.

Mr. Lehlohonolo Amos Molloyi, CEO of Mining Equipment Manufacturers of South Africa (MEMSA), a cluster representing 53 local OEM’s and service providers in the mining industry, and Mr. Molloyi serves on the following committees:

• Member of the SAMERDI Steering Committee,
• MerSETA Metal Chamber,
• Steel Master Plan Working Committee,
• Test Mine Steering Committee and
• Recently appointed to the NFTN-RDI Steering Committee.

Lehlohonolo holds a National Higher Diploma in Extractive Metallurgy from the University of Johannesburg, and a Marketing Management certificate from University of South Africa.

His 25 years’ experience as a process metallurgist, operations specialist and experience as an executive manager at mines such as; Anglo Coal, Anglo Gold, Gold Fields, Kumba Resources, TransHex, and Etruscan Diamonds, together with his vast practical experience in mine and process operations, executive and strategic management implementation and passion for the future of South Africa, make him an energetic and formidable champion for local mining equipment manufacturers.

Bachelors Degree (Mining Engineering). BSc Hons - Mining, MBA, Mine Manager's Certificate, Mine Overseer Certificate, Project Management, Digital Disruption, Technology and Innovation.



Bokang Kelepa is a qualified Mining Engineer with over 15 years' operational experience in opencast and underground mining. He is also a certified John Maxwell Team member.



Bokang's career began with a bluechip mining house. He filled multiple roles in various business units from 2005-2018, from a being Student Mine Official, Mining Manager, to Operational Readiness Manager amongst others, before venturing out as an entrepreneur and starting Baletsema Mining and Technology Services.



He is fascinated by the changes that are taking place globally, primarily due to advancements in technology. In seeking to understand and learn more about the implications of technology in the mining industry, he has attended various technology-related academic forums and made educational visits to Silicon Valley and Rwanda’s Transform Africa Summit.



He took this research a step further in 2019 and founded the 4IR-in-Mining Seminar which looks at the changes that technology brings about in mining, all the way from Academia to Mining Companies, Government, Unions, Investors, Entrepreneurs, and Managing Consultants. The first event launched on May 31st, 2019. Furthermore, Bokang conducts guest lecturing on Technology in Mining with various Mining Schools.

Dr Luyolo Mabhali, Executive Cluster Manager for CSIR Future Production: Manufacturing, has over 15 years of expertise in driving innovation across manufacturing, and research. He holds a PhD in Metallurgical Engineering and an MBA from the University of the Witwatersrand and Wits Business School.

Previously, Dr Mabhali led innovative research as a Research and Development Manager at the South African Mint Company, focusing on materials and processes vital to the minting industry. His leadership at the former CSIR National Laser Centre, now the National Photonics Centre, demonstrated extensive knowledge in laser additive manufacturing and surface engineering. Additionally, his role as a senior engineer at ArcelorMittal South Africa specialising in process modelling and coke production highlights a versatile skill set in manufacturing.

Currently pursuing a PhD in innovation management, Dr Mabhali combines academic rigor with practical experience, positioning him as a leader in advancing manufacturing innovation and technological progress. Dr Mabhali is also a member of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, further demonstrating his active engagement and leadership within the industry.

Matimba Mahange, based in City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa, is currently a Chief Executive Officer at JA Engineering Works (Pty) Ltd, bringing experience from previous roles at none and Barloworld Equipment. Matimba Mahange holds a 2011 - 2011 Program on Negotiations @ Harvard Business School. With a robust skill set that includes Lean Manufacturing, Change Management, Six Sigma, Quality Management, Manufacturing and more, Matimba Mahange contributes valuable insights to the industry. Matimba Mahange has 3 emails and 3 mobile phone numbers on RocketReach.

After qualifying with a BSc. In Electrical Engineering from the University of Cape Town in 1996, Freddy worked as an engineer at Mondi Kraft, Sasol and then SA Breweries. He achieved registration as a Professional Engineer with the Engineering Council of SA in 2002; during this period he established two hardware businesses. In 2004 Freddy joined Fabchem Mining as Executive Director (Finance and Business Development), becoming a shareholder in 2007. From 2007 his role at Fabchem shifted to Non-Executive Director, while he moved into the banking sector holding managerial positions in business and public sector credit at Standard Bank and ABSA Capital, respectively. Freddy returned full-time to the Fabchem Group in 2015 as CEO. Freddy was a founding member of MEMSA, sering on the Board as Chairman. He also served as a Board Member at SACEEC (SA Capital Equipment Export Council) and provided an interface between the two organisations.

Bongi holds a BSc in Metallurgy and Material Engineering, a Master of Business Administration from GIBS, and a BSc (Hons) Metallurgical Engineering, University of Pretoria. She also has a Certificate in Business Management, UNISA, and an Advanced Management Programme Certificate, University of Navarra, IESE Business School. Bongi joined the CSIR from Kumba Iron Ore Limited, a division of Anglo-American where she served as Manager of Technology. With over 15 years’ experience in the mining industry, she is recognised as a leader in the field of mine modernisation. She has worked in the fields of minerals processing, delivering capital projects, technology research, innovation and has served as a member of the innovation steering committee at the Minerals Council of South Africa. She is also a Council Member for the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

2022 Mandela Washington Fellow | UNLEASH ‘22 Global Talent | Innovation consultant | MSc Climate Change, Development and Policy Graduate | Chevening Alum | Climate change Justice | Innovation for development

Kein is an accomplished managing director, engineer and commercial leader with considerable expertise gained from diverse functions across management and engineering disciplines in the challenging mining and aerospace sectors.

Kevin is a founding member of MEMSA and currently sits on the Board of Directors.

Kevin holds a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from North-West University and a BSc (Hons) (Mechanical Engineering) from the University of Pretoria.

Safiya Turundu holds a BSc Honours degree in Computer Science from the University of the Witwatersrand. She furthered her studies with an MSc. in Computer Science focusing specifically on computer vision methodologies in her research. She joined the CSIR in May 2022 as a software developer within the mining cluster to support the digitalisation drive in the mining space and to increase in-house technical capability.

Mr Saki Zamxaka is the Acting Group CEO of the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA), an agency responsible for facilitating trade, investment and economic infrastructure development projects for the Gauteng City Region.

He is also the CEO of the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller (GEP), a provincial financial institution of the Gauteng Department of Economic Development which promotes and develops small enterprises in Gauteng. Mr Zamxaka is a former Gautrain Management Agency and Infinity Fund director, a Section 12 venture capital fund investing in asset (movable) rental SMEs.

He holds an Honours degree in Economics from the University of the Western Cape and a Diploma in International Education Politics and Economics from Bard College, New York.