Date: 29 September 2026
Time: 10:00 to 13:00. Lunch and networking from 13:00
Venue: Fairways Hotel, Randburg
Programme Director: Lebohang Mokoena, Mintek
The mineral sector is entering a period of significant technological and structural change. The minerals required for the energy transition, advanced manufacturing, digital technologies and other strategic industries are becoming increasingly important, while the challenges associated with their extraction, processing, beneficiation, recycling and responsible use are becoming more complex.
The Disruptive Research Roundtable brings together industry, government, academia, civil society and science councils to examine how the innovation system can work differently to address the mineral challenges of the future.
The discussion moves from collaboration, to research, to action, to commercialisation.
| Time | Item | Speaker / Participants |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 – 10:10 | Welcome Address | Dr Molefi Motuku, Chief Executive Officer, Mintek |
| 10:10 – 10:30 | Keynote Address | Prof Pontsho Twala, Executive Director, Wits Mining Institute |
| 10:30 – 10:55 | Session 1: The Quadruple Helix in Action | Facilitator: Prof Lucky Shikwivhilu, Mintek; Busisiwe Maphalala, DSI/NRF/CIMERA; Dr Richmore Dondofema, CSIR; Sizakele Nandi Kameru, Acquire Technology Solutions; Clement Masenamela, Malahlela Holdings |
| 10:55 – 11:05 | Research Showcase: What Are You Working On? | Open discussion, facilitated by the Programme Director |
| 11:05 – 11:20 | Refreshments Break | |
| 11:20 – 12:05 | Session 2: From Plan to Action | Funding mechanisms for transformational research. Facilitator: Dr Ashma Singh, Mintek; Dr Nathan Mudzanapabwe; Tandokazi Nquma Moyo, TIA; Dr Sepo Hachileka, NRF |
| 12:05 – 12:40 | Session 3: From Lab to Market | Facilitator: Dr Sipho Nkosi, Mintek; Kelvin Selway, Torq Commodities; Alfred Tshabalala, Mintek |
| 12:40 – 13:00 | Closing Remarks | Dr Molefi Motuku, Chief Executive Officer, Mintek |
| 13:00 onwards | Lunch and networking |