Adopting Game-Changing Technology | Mining Indaba Insights 2025 Artwork

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Suits and Boots | The Sustainable Business Podcast

Adopting Game-Changing Technology | Mining Indaba Insights 2025

January 29, 2025 • Season 1 • Episode 9

In this episode, TDi's Responsible Mining Specialist, Elizabeth Arnott, talks to three representatives from different parts of the mining industry, who will all be speaking at the 2025 Mining Indaba in Cape Town, on adopting game-changing technology.

The panelists are:
Derick Moolman | CEO, Stone Three
Bramley Maetsa | Digital Engagement Lead, Sasol
Prof Glen Nwaila | Associate Professor, University of Witwatersrand

The speakers discuss how to bring digital effectiveness to the forefront of mining in Africa, understanding technology’s role in improving health, safety and sustainability and ensuring that Africa’s mines and workforces don’t get left behind in a technology-orientated world.

Can you tell us a bit about some of the tech that’s available now, and its potential applications in African mining? What are the benefits it can bring?

Bramley - What are your perspectives on how data and AI are revolutionising the mining industry across the value chain?

What are some of the advances in machine learning and numerical modelling technology that are currently being applied to the mining industry?

Are there applications of this type of technology in other industries, from which parallels can be drawn? What are the potential cross-industry applications that could be explored?

We’ve talked about the benefits of adopting new AI-driven technology, what are the hurdles that need to be overcome to aid the mining sector in adopting some of the technologies that have been spoken about?

When it comes to data specifically, what are the potential benefits to companies and governments within Africa, of investing in data-driven initiatives?

And what are some of the hurdles?

How do you think AI or data-driven strategies or solutions can help African countries navigate towards a more sustainable future?

How open to change do you think organisations within the mining sector are within Africa, when it comes to the adoption of new technology?

Is Africa’s workforce ready to adapt to a new digital or AI-driven approach? What is required to ensure that today’s miners and those of the future have the skills required?

What do you think the ‘Smart Mine’ of the future could look like in the African context?

Finally, to end with can each of you share one example of a success story or case study where AI has produced tangible benefits to a mining operation?