Who We Are
The Mandela Mining Precinct is a public-private collaboration between the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the Minerals Council of South Africa. It is an initiative aimed at revitalising mining research, development and innovation in South Africa to ensure the sustainability of the industry.
The initiative is implemented through six research-based programmes:
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Mechanised Drill & Blast (MDB)
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Non-explosive Rock Breaking (NERB)
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Longevity of Current Mines (LoCM)
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Successful Application of Technologies Centred Around People (SATCAP)
The Mandela Mining Precinct is a public-private partnership set out in the National Development Plan. It was established to implement the South African Mining Extraction, Research, Development and Innovation (SAMERDI) strategy. The Mandela Mining Precinct was officially launched by the Minister of Mineral Resources, Gwede Mantashe, and the former Minister of Science and Innovation, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, on the 14th of September 2018 in Melville, Johannesburg.
The Mandela Mining Precinct logo
As a tribute to the former President of the Republic of South Africa, in the centenary of his birth in 2018, the Mandela Mining Precinct obtained approval from the Nelson Mandela Foundation to use the former president’s name. The Mandela Mining Precinct was thus launched on 14 September 2018, and the name is aligned to his legacy of bringing people together to work on challenges. In the case of this facility, the focus is on working collaboratively towards solving the challenges facing the mining industry.
The hardhat is the recognised symbol for the mining industry, where the gold mining industry is represented by yellow. The blue, green and red icons represent hands being lifted in support of the industry. The colours are also representative of the South African flag, affirming that this facility is a proudly South African initiative.
