Multinational metals and mining group Sibanye-Stillwater and the University of Johannesburg (UJ) have launched the Sibanye-Stillwater Simulacrum mining facility and the Sibanye-Stillwater Centre for Sustainable Mining.

The Simulacrum is a modern mining facility built on the UJ Campus in Doornfontein, Johannesburg, with the support of Sibanye-Stillwater to the tune of R43-million.

The facility, which was built in 2020 and 2021 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, incorporates a vertical shaft, mine tunnels, stope environments, a rescue chamber and extensive virtual reality (VR) infrastructure to replicate underground mining conditions.

The high-tech infrastructure allows students, researchers and academics to gain first-hand experience of realistic underground mining environments in a controlled and safe setting.

Simultaneously, on November 22, the launch event also unveiled the Sibanye-Stillwater Centre for Sustainable Mining, aimed at fostering postgraduate research and integrating Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies.

This centre will focus on advancing mining efficiency and sustainability, with Sibanye-Stillwater committing R12.75-million to fund its operations from 2024 to 2026.

The collaboration between Sibanye-Stillwater and UJ has spanned over a decade, marked by an investment exceeding R55-million in research, technology development and practical training initiatives for mining students.

Since 2013, Sibanye-Stillwater has invested more than R2-billion in education to support the development of skilled professionals.

In a statement coinciding with the launch, Sibanye-Stillwater CEO Neal Froneman emphasised the importance of innovation and skills development in ensuring the mining industry's future.

“The future of our industry depends on innovation, skilled professionals and a commitment to finding safer and more productive ways to mine. These world-class facilities will support the development of skills and expertise needed for the mining industry in South Africa to remain globally competitive and to maintain its critical role in the South African economy and society,” he said.

Froneman also highlighted the practical benefits of the Simulacrum in equipping students with hands-on experience in a modern, simulated environment.

UJ Vice-Chancellor Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi spoke at the launch, noting the partnership’s focus on bridging theoretical knowledge with practical application.

“The Sibanye-Stillwater Simulacrum enhances the learning experience by connecting theoretical knowledge with practical training. Our partnership allows students to better understand practical mining aspects,” he said.

Mpedi further highlighted the Centre for Sustainable Mining’s role in integrating 4IR technologies to address sustainability and efficiency in mining practices.

He underscored the broader significance of sustainable mining practices, pointing to their alignment with environmental, economic and social priorities.

“Traditional mining practices have had detrimental effects on the environment and communities, thus making a compelling case for sustainable mining. A sustainable lens aligns environmental preservation with economic growth and social policy,” he said.

This approach would ensure that mining continues to serve as a vital economic cornerstone in South Africa while empowering communities for future generations.

Additionally, Mpedi emphasised the transformative role of technology in advancing mining education and safety.

“This project also melds with our interest in technology and the 4IR. This state-of-the-art facility integrates VR and extended reality technologies with physical mine simulations to provide advanced, safer training for mining professionals.

“We have seen through this programme how augmented reality can supplement reality via superimposing computer-generated information over the physical context in real-time,” he explained.

He pointed out that such collaborations heralded a shift toward a sustainable and equitable mining future.

Sibanye-Stillwater chief regional officer South Africa Dr Richard Stewart, echoed these sentiments at the launch event, highlighting the critical role of technological advancements in reshaping mining practices.

“Technological advancements over the last few decades have truly made mining safer, more efficient and more sustainable,” he said.

Stewart acknowledged South Africa’s rich mineral resources and the challenges of safely and efficiently accessing them, stressing the need for skilled technicians to drive these innovations.

Stewart further elaborated on Sibanye-Stillwater’s sponsorship objectives.

“Our sponsorship is aiming to assist the university in providing, firstly, high-quality education. This is necessary to develop the graduates who lead the mining industry into the Fourth but also for us as this company into the Fifth Industrial Revolution (5IR), the revolution that will see us as people working alongside innovation to improve the well-being of our overall society,” he said.

He added that the partnership would also support research and innovation to sustain emerging technological trends while maintaining and expanding educational facilities.

The collaboration between Sibanye-Stillwater and UJ illustrates the potential of industry-academia partnerships in elevating education standards and fostering shared value. It is a model for advancing skills and innovation essential for the future of mining in South Africa.

“We truly believe that education is the cornerstone of what we need to achieve in our country. We know we've got high unemployment rates, and really the foundation of lifting us out of that is going to be education more broadly. So working together with universities to develop the skills [is what] we need for the future,” Stewart said.

He told Mining Weekly that Sibanye-Stillwater had a strategic initiative that it referred to as being “bionic”.

“What bionic really means is, it's not so much about replacing people with technology, but more [about] developing technology that enhances people's jobs and allows them to do those jobs better and, therefore, work in more rewarding and more productive environments.

“That's what the 5IR really talks to. It's not so much about just the tech or the digitalisation, which is very much 4IR, but [rather asks] how do you integrate that with people to become more efficient and more productive and ultimately uplift lives?” Stewart explained.