UCT-Metso researchers win innovation prize at Mining Indaba

In a significant achievement, a team of University of Cape Town (UCT) researchers from the Centre for Minerals Research (CMR), in collaboration with Finnish global industry leader in minerals processing, Metso, clinched top honours at the Investing in African Mining Indaba conference, popularly known as the Mining Indaba. They were awarded the prestigious Mining Innovation and Research Battlefield prize for their newly developed process, which is poised to redefine the future of tailings management in the mining industry.
 

At the heart of their innovation is a water recycling system that enhances mineral recovery in mining while significantly reducing waste ­­– potentially even eliminating wastewater altogether.

What sets the UCT-Metso team’s approach apart is its adaptability. Unlike conventional methods, their system considers the unique chemical makeup of different water sources.

“Current circuits don’t account for the fact that different minerals require different water chemistries, thus not taking key advantage of fit-for-purpose waters for optimal performance,” explained Professor Kirsten Corin, the head of Flotation Chemistry at CMR.

The UCT team consisted of senior lecturer Dr Lisa October, post-doctoral researcher Dr Rešoketšwe Manenzhe and Professor Corin. While Metso’s team comprised of academic researcher Diana Kasymova, eco-system senior manager Dr Eija Saari and technology director Professor Kari Heiskanen.

“This achievement showcases the power of collaboration between cutting-edge research and industry innovation.”

Tailings are the leftover materials after mining companies extract valuable minerals from mined rock or soil. These remnants – often a mix of crushed rock, water and traces of chemicals used during extraction –  are stored in specially designed areas called tailings storage facilities to prevent environmental contamination.

Effective tailings management is essential not only for improving the efficiency of mining operations but also for safeguarding the environment and protecting human life. Poorly managed tailings can cause significant ecological harm. This can result in long-term negative effects on animals and plants as well as serious health and safety risks for the surrounding human population.

A meeting place for research and industry

The Mining Innovation and Research Battlefield – hosted by the Development Partner Institute and Mining Indaba – is a high-profile competition at the Indaba that brings together industry pioneers, academics, non-governmental organisations and young leaders. Each year, it challenges participants to present bold solutions for the industry’s most pressing sustainability challenges.

This year, competitors were tasked with presenting innovative and sustainable solutions for revolutionising tailings management and achieving zero harm while supporting a more responsible and circular mining economy. An economy where valuable minerals are mined and mining waste is repurposed or recycled to create by-products that can be used in other industries or within mining itself.
 

After submitting a written application, the UCT-Metso team was shortlisted among the top 10 contenders and advanced to the first round on 28 November 2024. From there, three teams were selected to present their innovations at the Mining Indaba hosted in Cape Town from 9-12 February, where the team emerged victorious. Their prize – a $25 000 research grant sponsored by Anglo American – will support further development of their groundbreaking solution.

“This achievement showcases what can be benefited from a collaboration between cutting-edge research and industry innovation,” said Professor Jeff Murugan, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Internationalisation at UCT.

“By working closely with industry leaders like Metso, our researchers are not only advancing scientific knowledge but also developing practical solutions that address real-world challenges. This is precisely what the Mining Indaba represents – a platform where research meets industry to drive sustainable development and shape the future of mining. UCT is proud to contribute to this vision and paving the way for more responsible mining practices,” Professor Murugan added.

Despite their success, the UCT team shared concerns about the slow uptake of innovations within the industry. “The mining sector can be conservative and the adoption of new technologies can take time,” Professor Corin said.

The researchers emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between academic research and industry implementation, encouraging industry to be open to considering research as a vital step in process improvement, embracing innovations when they emerge.

The team also agreed that researchers must work towards being equipped to present a business case for their innovations that resonates with industry needs.
 

“Fit-for-purpose water loops increase valuable mineral recovery.”

Water: A critical but limited resource
 

Water is a vital resource for every mining operation, from processing raw materials to recovering more value from waste. In Africa, where water is especially scarce, smarter water management is crucial. By protecting the environment while boosting mine productivity, innovations like UCT’s could lead to cleaner, more efficient mining practices.
 

In balancing economic feasibility with environmental responsibility, the team’s approach eliminates the need for large, hazardous wet tailings ponds and dams. “Recirculating water on-site prevents environmental discharge and reduces the environmental load. Fit-for-purpose water loops increase valuable mineral recovery, removing the need for water treatment to meet discharge standards. This improves the economics of the process,” Corin said.
 

Looking ahead, the UCT-Metso team plans further research and pilot testing to fully understand the impact of changing water quality on mineral recovery. “Between fundamental research and industrial scale implementation, pilot testing on a case-by-case basis is needed to prove that this innovation will improve performance and be economically beneficial for industrial partners,” Metso’s academic researcher, Kasymova explained.
 

The $25 000 research grant will allow the collaboration between UCT’s CMR and Metso to continue and explore new industrial partnerships that are working to improve sustainability within the mining sector.