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

30 years to Everest – Decisions, setbacks, and staying power | Dr Jeannette McGill 18.02.2026 24min

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 mattered most, and the discipline of consistent preparation. More than a story about climbing Everest, this is a powerful reminder that extraordinary achievements are built through daily commitment, calculated risk, and the willingness to begin — even when success isn’t guaranteed.

Presidents In Conversation with Gary Lane & Elias Matinde 10.12.2025 39min

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 needs of the mining industry. Gary and Elias discuss their backgrounds, the impact of SAIMM on industry knowledge-sharing, and the critical role of young professionals in shaping the sector’s future.

Tackling Discrimination and Unconscious Bias in Hiring & Promotions 05.12.2025 26min

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-wide engagement, Boitumelo provides historical context, insight into structural biases, and clarity on what meaningful transformation requires within mining workplaces.

Tailings - how do we ensure we're doing it right? 23.10.2025 44min

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 storage facilities (TSFs).

Beyond Compliance | Re-imagining the SAIMM Diversity and Inclusion Committee 03.09.2025 36min

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 with the same urgency as safety and production in the minerals sector. This conversation highlights how the committee aims to move beyond tick-box compliance toward meaningful action that creates a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable mining sector.

The Influence of the GISTM on South African Tailings Management and the SANS 10286 11.07.2025 18min

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 process behind the revised standard.

SLO in Mining | Kabelo Rathobei and Alex Khumalo 10.06.2025 29min

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 enough, and how mining companies must shift their focus from box-ticking exercises to building genuine, long-term partnerships with host communities. Khumalo discusses the importance of going beyond compliance, the role of government and policy, and why collaboration and economic diversification are key to sustainable development. Whether you're in mining, policy, or community engagement, this conversation offers valuable insight into the evolving expectations of the mining industry in South Africa.

Hydrometallurgy of the Future | Buhle Xakalshe and Jochen Petersen 29.04.2025 1h 6min

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 the building of the necessary infrastructure. Join Buhle Xakalashe and Jochen Petersen for their discussion on the future of Hydrometallurgy. This episode was recorded with the Hydrometallurgy Conference in mind, which has since passed, but we believe that this is a pertinent episode which continues to drive the post-conference conversation forward.

South Africa and Carbon Tax | Erwee Lourens 06.03.2025 40min

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 achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. He unpacks the complex balancing act between meeting the country’s energy demands and reducing emissions, emphasising that South Africa’s energy sector remains the largest contributor to carbon output. He also highlights the stark contrast between developed nations with greater resources for decarbonisation, and South Africa’s need to navigate its transition carefully to avoid economic disruption. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of energy, sustainability, and the evolving industrial landscape in South Africa.

SAMREC Code and its impact on the Minerals Industry | Nicole Wansbury and Ken Lomberg 01.02.2025 37min

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 (the new chairperson) explore the significance of this essential code, which has been setting the benchmark for responsible mineral asset reporting since 2000. Managed by the SAIMM and GSSA, the SAMREC Code ensures that mineral resources are reported accurately and consistently across all commodities and geological environments. The discussion also covers key topics such as the pivotal role of Competent Persons (CPs), the importance of technical studies in guiding project development, and how governance is embedded within the code’s framework. Don’t miss this insightful conversation about the code that continues to shape the future of mining and mineral reporting!

Leading Beyond Boundaries | Mark Munroe, Prelisha Singh, and Nomsa Mbere 18.11.2024 35min

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 leadership style to their environment, and addressing unconscious bias on the basis of gender.

Mintek@90 | Roger Paul 21.10.2024 42min

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 and Mintek's significant contributions to mineral and metallurgical innovation.

Entrepreneurship and what it means to you | Tokyo Ndlela 20.09.2024 25min

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, and discusses the benefits of entrepreneurship, such as developing an ownership mindset and the importance of personal growth.

Productivity in the Minerals Industry | Arjen de Bruin Part 02 02.09.2024 41min

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 productivity improvements.

Productivity in the Minerals Industry | Arjen de Bruin Part 01 02.09.2024 34min

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 productivity improvements.

Presidents in Conversation | William Joughin 31.05.2024 29min

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 African National Institute for Rock Engineering (SANIRE) and the International Society for Rock Mechanics (ISRM). He discusses the importance of SAIMM in creating a platform for professionals to engage, learn, and share ideas, as well as its role in addressing challenges faced by the minerals industry through collaboration with other institutes, the Minerals Council South Africa, and the government. William highlights the benefits of SAIMM membership, such as access to publications, conferences, and networking opportunities. He also emphasises the importance of research and development, and the need for the industry to transition towards renewable energy and sustainable practices. The conversation touches on topics like the impact of global events on the industry, the brain-drain of young engineers, and the value of creating a global network through SAIMM.

Rare Earths: Global Impact and Sustainability | Elmar Muller 22.05.2024 49min

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, renewable energy, defence systems, etc. Global consumption is around 200,000-300,000 tons per year. China currently dominates the production (97% in 2011). Other countries like the US, Australia, and South Africa are investing in developing their own rare earth supply chains to reduce reliance on China. The major challenges include high costs, environmental impact, lack of downstream processing facilities, and skills shortages. Recycling, finding alternatives, and reducing waste are key focus areas to improve sustainability. Collaboration between the government, the private sector, and research institutions is crucial for South Africa to develop a rare earth industry. Dr Elmar also presents some action items that could assist South Africa to develop a Rare Earth industry. Zelmia briefly mentions conferences like the Rare Earths Conference and the Battery Materials Conference which are being organised by the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) which aim to facilitate such collaborations.

The Value and Importance of Mentoring | Simone Naicker 30.04.2024 45min

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 experienced individuals. A connected economy involves collaboration across borders, industries, and demographics, enabled by digital connectivity. Simone also discusses how organisations should benchmark best practices and collaborate to optimise mentorship programmes and leverage diverse mentor pools. She also explains how cross-gender mentorship offers valuable perspectives, however ethical considerations like preventing inappropriate conduct, are important.

Range vs Specialisation: The Significance of Interdisciplinary Approaches | Dr Frank Crundwell 24.04.2024 40min

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 of being well-versed in various disciplines and combining ideas from different fields to solve complex problems. Dr Crundwell emphasizes the need for curiosity, continuous learning, and developing rules of thumb to become an effective generalist. The conversation also touches on the potential impact of AI on professional services and the need for mining companies to invest in research and development to address challenges like lower ore grades. Overall, the podcast provides insights into the value of interdisciplinary thinking and the evolving nature of careers in the mining and metallurgy sector.

Sampling and Blending | Richard Minnitt, Chris Robben, Martin Lischka & Terence Nkosi 22.02.2024 51min

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.