The North-West University’s (NWU) Centre for Sustainable Mining (CSM), host of the South African Circular Minerals and Metals Initiative (SACMMI) Hub, brought together leaders from government, academia, mining industry, research councils, and advocacy groups to gather strategic insights and evidence that will inform the development of South Africa’s Science, Technology and Innovation strategy for circularity in the Minerals and Metals Sector.
The workshop took place at the Council for Scientific and Industrial research (CSIR) campus in Pretoria where stakeholders explored to transform the mining landscape through enhanced circularity.
Through structured plenary and breakaway sessions facilitated by Dr Anthon Botha, Managing Director of TechnoScene, a collaborative roadmap for the future of the sector was developed. Participants were divided into focus groups that discussed three priority areas: Resource Security, Resource Efficiency, and Diversifying Sources. Two moderators guided each group to encourage knowledge sharing and focused discussions.
The first breakaway session explored the barriers, drivers, and opportunities associated with circular mining. Discussions centred on behavioural, technological, and environmental factors that are expected to influence the future of the sector.
Building on the conversations, the second session challenged the experts to pursue what actions are needed to achieve a sustainable, circular minerals and metals sector.
According to Dr Sihe Nhleko, Director for CSM, the NWU has a critical role to play in advancing research and innovation and knowledge that support the transition to a circular economy for the minerals and metals value chain.
“The NWU has positioned itself as a global contributor to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and sustainable mining is a key part of that journey. As a university, we both have the opportunity and responsibility to help shape the future of the sector.”
Addressing the opportunities that circular innovation presents for South Africa’s minerals and metal sector, Prof Linda Godfrey, Manager and Principal Scientist for Circular Economy at CSIR explained that the transition towards a circular economy has the potential to unlock significant industrial and economic benefits.
“The circular economy challenges the minerals and metals sector to rethink how it uses resources and the value it creates for both the South African and global economy. This includes understanding the country’s waste management at mine sites, resource security and diversifying mineral sources beyond traditional mining,” she stated.
Prof Godfrey further emphasised that the successful adoption of circular practices will depend on the ability of businesses to realise clear economic value.
“Universities and science councils have an important role to play by providing the research, technologies and evidence needed to help industry adopt these solutions and support government in developing effective policies,” she added.
The workshop was officially opened by Prof Kaniki Tumba, Associate Professor for Chemical and Minerals Engineering and SACMMI lead at the CSM. In his welcome address he highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration to develop a sustainable, circular minerals and metals sector.
Together the stakeholders of SACMMI, through the leadership of the NWU’s CSM, identified practical steps to stimulate innovation and leverage circularity to advance long‑term economic, environmental, social, and governance sustainability in the mining sector.
Discussions on resource security were explored during the breakout session by Group 1, with the conversation being facilitated Dr Sihe Nhleko and Ms Zaheeda Hoosen as part of the SACMMI workshop.
A sustainable circular mining future, with a focus on resource efficiency, was examined by Group 2 during a breakout session facilitated by Prof Kaniki Tumba and Mr Nyadzeni Makhado, Focus Area Leader at the Centre for Sustainable Mining (CSM).
Group 3’s breakout discussions were facilitated by Mr Sizwe Msibi and Mr Derik van deer Westhuizen, both Focus Area Leaders at the CSM.
