The Crucible - Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM)

In this inspiring and deeply personal talk, Dr Jeannette McGill shares the 30-year journey behind her summit of Mount Everest — a dream that began as a quiet “one-day” goal and evolved into a test of resilience, commitment, and courage. From pioneering roles in the mining and technology sectors to multiple attempts on the world’s highest peak, she reflects on setbacks, turning back when it mattere...

In this special episode of The Crucible, current SAIMM President Gary Lane sits down with Past President Dr. Elias Matinde to reflect on their personal journeys, leadership philosophies, and the future of the mining and metallurgy profession. What starts as a conversational exchange between two leaders becomes an insightful look into mentorship, volunteering, skill development, and the evolving ne...

In this episode of The Crucible, Kabelo Rathobei (Researcher PhD Candidate | Luleå University of Technology) sits down with Boitumelo Nkomo, the Women in Mining (WIM) Programme Manager at the Minerals Council South Africa, to unpack one of the sector’s most persistent challenges: discrimination and unconscious bias in hiring and promotions. Drawing from over 20 years of experience and deep sector-...

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 stor...

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 wi...

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 proce...

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 enou...

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 th...

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...

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...

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 lead...

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...

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, a...

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 produ...

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 produ...

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 Afri...

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, renewa...

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 exper...

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...

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 faili...

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. Visit the SAIMM Website

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. Visit the SAIMM Website

In discussion with Professor Gordon Smith, we look at the Extra S in ESG. What is the extra S, and what does it stands for? What value does the additional S offer the mining and minerals industry? Sustainability of business is believed to be reliant on the pillars of ESG compliance, Environmental, Social and Governance. In conversation with Professor Gordon Smith, we look at the additional S in ES...

Steve Sackett, Director of SA Perspectives, joins Zelmia Botha in studio to discuss the impacts of infrastructure on Africa's copper production. Visit the SAIMM Website