How Innovation is Reshaping South Africa's Mining Sector
Björn Jindra co-authored a policy report examining how research, development and innovation (RDI) are driving the modernisation of South Africa's mining sector between 2021 and 2023. The study was a collaboration led by the Human Sciences Research Council's Centre for Science, Technology, and Innovation Indicators (CeSTII), in partnership with the Minerals Council South Africa, and the Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability. Drawing on an analysis of firm capabilities across the sector, the report explores the drivers and barriers shaping innovation as mining firms respond to rapid technological change.
The study finds that:
- Skills, collaboration, infrastructure and investment are central to building a more modern and resilient mining industry.
- Firm-level capabilities strongly shape how effectively companies adopt and respond to new technologies.
- A range of drivers and barriers influence the pace and direction of innovation across the sector.
- Coordinated RDI is key to keeping South African mining globally competitive.
The findings offer a clearer picture of how RDI patterns and firm capabilities are shaping the future of mining in South Africa, with implications for both industry strategy and innovation policy.
Read the full report here.