Mintek Congratulates Dr Matinde on Appointment as President of SAIMM
Mintek congratulates Dr Elias Matinde, Executive Manager for Pyrometallurgy, on his appointment as the President of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM), effective 1 August 2024.
Dr Matinde brings to this prestigious role a wealth of experience and an impressive academic background. He holds a PhD in Metallurgical Engineering from Tohoku University in Japan, a Master of Business Administration, a BSc (Hons) in Metallurgical Engineering (cum laude) from the University of Zimbabwe, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education from the University of the Witwatersrand. He is a registered Professional Engineer, a Fellow of the SAIMM, and a Past Fellow (2017-2018) of the African Science Leadership Programme.
Since joining SAIMM in 2011, Dr Matinde has played a pivotal role in revitalising the Institute’s Zimbabwean Branch, earning accolades for organising highly successful technical visits and networking events. His leadership has been instrumental in the success of several major conferences, including the 1st International Conference on Southern African Rare Earths and the International Conference on Enhanced Use of Thermodynamic Data in Pyrometallurgy Teaching and Research. His dedication is further evidenced by his over eight years of service on the SAIMM Council.
As he embarks on his tenure as SAIMM President, Dr Matinde is committed to advocating for professionals within the mining, metallurgical, and related industries. His leadership will undoubtedly contribute to the continued growth and influence of SAIMM in the region.
Expressing his enthusiasm about the appointment, Dr Matinde said, “I am deeply honoured to assume the role of President of SAIMM. The combined history of Mintek and SAIMM amounts to 193 years of significant contributions to the minerals and metallurgy sector in Southern Africa. I look forward to driving transformative initiatives, particularly in enhancing skills development, raising the profile of both SAIMM and Mintek through high-impact conferences, and building robust industry partnerships. This is a critical time for our industry, and I am excited to lead efforts that will shape its future.”
Dr Molefi Motuku, CEO of Mintek, also congratulated Dr Matinde, saying, “Dr Matinde’s appointment as President of SAIMM is a testament to his exceptional leadership and expertise in the field of pyrometallurgy. His dedication to advancing the mining and metallurgy sectors is well recognised, and we at Mintek are immensely proud of his achievements. We are confident that under his guidance, SAIMM will continue to thrive and make significant contributions to the industry. Mintek remains committed to supporting Dr Matinde in his new role, as his success is a reflection of our collective efforts to drive innovation and excellence in our field.”
This appointment adds to the proud history of Mintek's personnel serving as Presidents of SAIMM, including esteemed figures such as Prof Robbie Robinson (1975-1976), Dr PR Jochens (1980-1981), Dr Henry James (1985-1986), Dr Nic Barcza (1996-1997), Josiah “Rams” Ramokgopa (2002-2003), Dr Rodney Jones (2015-2016), and Isabel Geldenhuys (2021-2022). Mintek extends its best wishes to Dr Matinde as he undertakes this significant leadership role, confident that he will continue to make substantial contributions to the advancement of the industry.