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.

Is a circular economy just?

A circular economy is undoubtedly better for the planet by reducing pressure on new extraction, but can it be good for people too? How can we avoid it "kicking away the ladder" for development in producing countries if the world's demand for primary metal falls?