Name: Mining Indaba
Start: 2026-02-09T10:30:00+02:00
End: 2026-02-12T15:30:00+02:00
Location: CTICC

Daya Naidoo

Head: Energy & Natural Resources Technology Innovation Agency

Daya has held Senior Management positions at TIA, Sasol and Eskom Holding SOC Ltd. He acted as Executive in both TIA and Sasol Synfuels. He holds an MBA Degree and has qualifications in the Chemical and Electrical fields. He is Chair of the University of Johannesburg FEBE Advisory Board. He is part of various Steering Committees and Working Committees in NACI, PCC, DSTI and HYSA. As Head of Energy and Natural Resources in TIA, he is responsible for TIA’s support of the development of technologies in various thematic areas. In terms of Energy TIA supports Just Energy technologies, Hydrogen technologies with current focus Systems, Infrastructure and Catalysis, eMobility and Renewables. In the Natural Resources TIA supports Mining, water, circular economy, waste and sanitation.

2026 Agenda Sessions

Harnessing collaborative partnerships to modernise the mining innovation ecosystem

This session explores how collaborative partnerships, enabled through South Africa’s science and innovation policy framework and coordinated by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), are modernising the mining industry and supporting a more competitive and sustainable future. It examines how a connected innovation ecosystem brings together government, industry, research institutions and innovators to align policy, research and implementation in response to the sector’s evolving needs.

The discussion will examine how automation and digital technologies are being applied to improve productivity, safety and environmental performance, alongside the effective translation of research and strategy into practical, on the ground mining solutions through collaboration across the ecosystem. It will also highlight the growing role of Earth observation and geospatial data, supported through national innovation capabilities, in enabling safer, smarter and more risk aware mining decision making. In addition, the session will consider how innovation ecosystems can support start ups and small and medium enterprises to commercialise technologies, ensuring that innovation extends beyond large mining houses and responds to the realities of smaller scale mining.

Tuesday 10 February 15:50 - 16:50 Nubian Pyramids Stage (CTICC2 - Ground Floor - Exhibition Hall)

Add to calendar 02/10/2026 15:50 02/10/2026 16:50 Harnessing collaborative partnerships to modernise the mining innovation ecosystem This session explores how collaborative partnerships, enabled through South Africa’s science and innovation policy framework and coordinated by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), are modernising the mining industry and supporting a more competitive and sustainable future. It examines how a connected innovation ecosystem brings together government, industry, research institutions and innovators to align policy, research and implementation in response to the sector’s evolving needs.

The discussion will examine how automation and digital technologies are being applied to improve productivity, safety and environmental performance, alongside the effective translation of research and strategy into practical, on the ground mining solutions through collaboration across the ecosystem. It will also highlight the growing role of Earth observation and geospatial data, supported through national innovation capabilities, in enabling safer, smarter and more risk aware mining decision making. In addition, the session will consider how innovation ecosystems can support start ups and small and medium enterprises to commercialise technologies, ensuring that innovation extends beyond large mining houses and responds to the realities of smaller scale mining. Nubian Pyramids Stage (CTICC2 - Ground Floor - Exhibition Hall) Africa/Johannesburg

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