Details

Category: Latest

Created: 20 April 2021

Dear SANIRE Member 

As of the 1st of March 2021, South Africa has been on Coronavirus COVID-19 Alert level 1. This means that most normal activity can resume, with precautions and health guidelines followed at all times. As such, SANIRE is preparing to have meetings in line with the protocols outlined by the Government of South Africa. 

These protocols include: 

Strict adherence to all health protocols and social distancing measures.

(1) Every person, when attending a gathering and in order to limit exposure to COVID-19 must:

(a) wear a face mask;
(b) adhere to all health protocols;
(c) maintain a distance of at least one and a half meters from each other;

Gatherings

(1) Gatherings at a workplace for work purposes are allowed, subject to strict adherence to all health protocols and social distancing measures.

(a) Conferencing, dining and entertainment facilities are subject to a limitation of a maximum of 250 persons or less for indoor venues and 500 persons or less for outdoor venues and if the venue is too small to hold 250 persons indoors or 500 persons outdoors observing a distance of at least one and a half meters from each other. Then not more than 50 percent of the capacity of the venue may be used.

(b) Every business premises. Including but limited not to supermarkets, shops, grocery stores, produce markets and pharmacies, are subject to a limitation of 50 percent of the floor space, which includes customers and employees, and subject to strict adherence to all health protocols, social distancing measures.

For a more information updates about Coronavirus COVID-19 Alert level 1 precautions, visit the South African Government website by following the link below.

ALERT LEVEL 1 INFORMATION

For more information on upcoming SANIRE meetings, please visit the SANIRE website or contact your local Branch Chairman.

Kind regards

Paul Couto
SANIRE President

Details

Category: Latest

Created: 30 March 2021

NOMINATION FOR COUNCIL: 2021 – 2023

Dear SANIRE member

We hereby call for nominations to the SANIRE Council for 2021 – 2023.
We are seeking to fill a minimum of 5 vacancies for Council for the two year period 2021 to 2023.

Nomination Process

• Any member in good standing may be nominated by filling in the nomination form as per the link below and must be nominated by a minimum of two members to qualify. This will serve as a proposer and seconder nomination as per the constitution.
• There is no limit to the number of nominations that can be submitted for a nominee.
• The following persons do not form part of the selected members for a nominee:
  • Paul Couto
  • Lizelle Prinsloo

Why is it important to take part in the nomination and election of Council?

• Interest and the development of education in Rock Engineering
• Professional practice and high ethical standards.
• Networking, collaboration, and information exchange
• Research Areas

Please Note:

A person nominated for council must be able to actively promote the South African Engineering profession and be willing to commit to the duties of SANIRE for the next two years or longer. This commitment includes time away from their normal duties and such a member is required to be in good standing of SANIRE. This should be conveyed to the nominee’s employer and the proposer undertakes the responsibility to ensure that the nominee is aware of this.

Nominations are to be completed by following the link below by 16 April 2021.

https://forms.gle/NrMqvx7m3xbQ7PP17

Kind Regards,
Paul Couto
SANIRE Presiden

Details

Category: Latest

Created: 12 March 2021

SANIRE actively promotes the advancement of the Rock Engineering discipline by encouraging and promoting:

• The interest and the development of education in Rock Engineering within the industry
• The uphold of professional practice and high ethical standards
• Networking, collaboration and information exchange
• Research areas

With a membership base of over 500 members and affiliation with other industry players we would like to encourage companies and members to host a WEBINAR / LECTURE to further and develop the Rock Engineering Industry.

For more information contact:
Mbalenhle Buthelezi
Association Secretary
Tel: +27 11 568 2050 | +27 11 568 2054
Email: mbalenhleb@mpas.org.za
Web: www.sanire.co.za | Facebook: @SANIREofficial
5th Floor, Minerals Council South Africa | 5 Hollard Street, Johannesburg, 2001
P.O. Box 61709, Marshalltown, 2107

Details

Category: Latest

Created: 04 March 2021

Sharing your grief and remembering with you.

May the precious memories of your loved one carry you through this difficult time.

In sympathy
Sanire Council 2021

Details

Category: Latest

Created: 10 February 2021

It is with great sadness that SANIRE informs you of the passing of Dr. Dennis Laubscher on Wednesday the 3rd February,  2021 after a long fight with stroke related  complications. Dr Laubscher was a true South African mining great  having received an SAIMM Gold Medal,  SANIRE Lifetime Achievement Award, the DeBeers Mass Mining Award and the SAIMM Brigadier Stokes Memorial award.

Apart from his consulting throughout the world, where he taught and mentored hundreds of rock and mining engineers,  his contributions to the mining industry included the 1994 SAIMM paper "Cave mining - state of the art", the Block Cave Manuel in 2000, and perhaps his most widely recognized 1990 Mining Rock Mass Rating, updated in 2001. This came about, true to Dennis's character,  because he tried Bieniawski's 1973 RMR and it didn't work for cave mines he was working on, so he made his own system. Some of these, and his other extensive publications are used on operating mines worldwide, to this day.

Dennis leaves behind his wife and two daughters,  a private family service will be held when permissible.

Details

Category: Latest

Created: 05 February 2021

SAIEG & SANIRE presents a two-day seminar on SLOPE STABILITY.
Venue: Misty Hills, Muldersdrift Estate, 69 Drift Boulevard (R114), Muldersdrift, Gauteng.
Date: 'Thursday 4 and Friday S March 2021.

DOWNLOAD THE REGISTRATION FORM

ABOUT THE SEMINAR

The seminar is co-hosted by SAIEG and SANIRE.
The first day of the seminar will be chaired by SAIEG discussing the following topics:

• Keynote Address - Mr Peter Terbrugge
• Climate Change and Slope Stability-. Lessons Learned in Cape Verde applied to South Africa - Dr Phil Paige-Green
• Theoretical Aspects of the New TMH 21 DER Rapid Slope Stability Assessment System and COTO Specs Applicable to Slope Stability - Dr GV Price
• SANRAL Slope Management System: Western and Southern Regions of South Africa - Mr Trevor Pape
• Regional Mapping of Potential Unstable Slopes in eThekwini-Ndwedwe Region, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa - Dr Souleymane Diop
• Innovations in Orientated Slope and Face Mapping & Stability Assessment using Photogrammetry - Mr Rory Bush
• Slope Modeling using Remote Sensing and Object-based Image Analysis Techniques - Dr Stratis Karantanellis
• Case Study of a (Court) Case, Slope failures due to development -Dr Robert Leyland
• Detailed Slope Stability Assessment and Design for the N2 National Route at Kaaimans Pass, km 35.18 to 35.50 - Mrs Monique Wainstein
• Back Analysis of an Ancient Rockslide at Lake Fundudzi, Limpopo - Mr Goodman Chlliza

WHO SHOULD ATTEND
The course will be targeted specially at qualified and practicing engineering geologists and rock engineering professionals. The seminar will also benefit geotechnical engineers involved with slope stability assessments.

SPONSORSHIP
Companies interested in sponsorship opportunities, please send an email to secretariat;psaieg.co.za

This will be a hybrid event. You will be able to attend in person at Misty Hills (COVID-19 regulations applies and seats are limited) or you will be able to attend on-line. More details about the online platform will be shared closer to the event. Refer to the registration form for the registration fees.

Day two, chaired by SANIRE, will place focus on the following topics•:

• Slope Design Philosophy - Mr Robert Armstrong
• Development of Geotechnical Models and Slope Management Programs - Dr Marnus Bester
• Ground Deformation Monitoring and the Role of the Mine Surveyor - Mr Huw Thomas
• There are Several Methods of Slices in Slope Stability. Which Ones Should I Use? - Dr Reginald Hammah
• Groundwater - Miss Mampho Maoyi
• Portal and Shaft Boxcuts - Mr Gavin Wardle
• Use of Discrete Fracture Networks for Slope Design - Miss Valencia Kuppersami
• Probability and Risk Based Design - Miss Tafadzwa Chindedza
• Waste Rock Dump Management and Stability Evaluation - Miss Debbie Olivier
• Thabazimbi Slope Failure - Thandile Dlokweni • Case Study - Mr Desmond Mossop
• Take note that the topics and/or presenters are subject to change.

SEMINAR TIMES
The seminar will start at 09:00 on Thursday and 08:00 on Friday. On Thursday the course will end at 16:30, followed by SAIEG's AGM (17:00 - 18:30) and then the seminar dinner (18:30 - included in the registration fees). The seminar will end at 16:00 on the Friday.

REGISTRATION
To attend, kindly complete the attached registration form. If you have any questions please send an email to secretariat, saieg.co.za

SACNASP and ECSA CPD points (2 points) will be awarded to attendees.

Details

Category: Latest

Created: 02 February 2021

Advertising Space

We have increased the advertising opportunities for companies who would like to market their products and services in the SANIRE Newsletter.

Contact us today to secure a space in the next issue of Rock Talk.

Prices for different sizes of advertisements

To book your space, please send us an email at info@sanire.co.za

Details

Category: Latest

Created: 02 February 2021

We are looking for the next Rock Star. Nominations are now open.

We are searching for the next Rock Star who is going above and beyond. Please send us your nomination of who you would like to see interviewed in the next issue of Rock Talk.

The deadline for nominations is: 5 March 2020

Please include the following in your nomination:

• Name and Surname of nominee
• Mining operation of nominee
• Designation of nominee
• Nominee contact details
• A short motivation as to why you have nominated the person

For further enquiries or to submit your nominee, please send an email to: info@sanire.co.za

Details

Category: Latest

Created: 02 February 2021

We value your input and we are calling on our members to contribute content to the SANIRE Newsletter. This is an open invitation call for articles. If you are interested in submitting content for the next issue of Rock Talk, please send us an email at info@sanire.co.za with your proposal along with a commitment date.

Submission Categories:

• Industry related articles
• Academic papers
• Case studies

Submit an article and stand a chance of winning SANIRE Memorabilia.

For further enquiries or to submit your proposal, please send an email to: info@sanire.co.za

Details

Category: Latest

Created: 01 February 2021

Deadline: Extended to 31 March 2021,
START HERE

Submission Guidelines
As ARC13 goes virtual, the conference will emphasize online communication and will not require authors of accepted abstracts to submit full papers.

1. English is the official language throughout the meeting.
2. Only abstract received via the IAEG-ARC13 submission portal will be considered.
3. Abstract should contain text only (no graphics or mathematical formula) and may not exceed 350 words.
4. All abstracts are subject to a peer review process. Reviewers are the conference’s scientific committee of experts in fields specially matching the conference topics.
5. The maximum limit is 2 abstracts per submitting author.

Information & Support:
Website: www.iaeg-arc13.org
Email: iaeg-arc13@meetmatt.net
Tel: (65) 6472 3108

Details

Category: Latest

Created: 21 January 2021

Gladwin Maphanga passed away at the age of 40 years and was married with four kids and excelled academically. He worked within the Hard Rock Industry and spent the last few years of his career within the Coal Industry. Gladwin  worked during his Geology and Rock Engineering career at South32, Nkomati Nickel Mine, Foskor Mining Division, Optimum Coal Holdings, Exxaro Coal, Anglo Platinum, University of the Witwatersrand and the Council for Geosciences. May the precious memories of your loved one, carry you through this difficult time

Details

Category: Latest

Created: 18 January 2021

Dear SANIRE Members

It is with a heavy heart that we notify you all of the passing of Gladwin Maphanga. Gladwin Maphanga served within the industry for numerous years across hard rock and saft rock operations, while contributing to the growth of young professionals. 

SANIRE will notify members of the memorial service if approved by the family to do so.

Details

Category: Latest

Created: 14 December 2020

DEAR SANIRE MEMBERS 

The SANIRE Adjudication Committee spent many hours analysing the video submissions in great detail, pausing and rewinding many times. Based on this, they have selected IVANPLATS as the winner of the Jerusalema Challenge as they are 'unmistakeably' rock engineers in their attire and setting!

Overall congratulations to all the teams for taking the time and considerable effort to enter the competition and especially for the immense skills displayed!

In keeping up with the Rock Eng theme and the light-hearted nature of the challenge, a winner was decided bu using the following criteria:

• Enthusiasm
• Timing
• Production
• Production Length
• Use of PPE
• Following COVID Regulations

CONGRATULATIONS IVANPLATS!

Details

Category: Latest

Created: 09 December 2020

As we all head closer to the end of 2020, a year that will never be forgotten, I thought it would be fitting to focus on what SANIRE has achieved during the past year.

This year was not only challenging for all of us in our personal and professional lives, but also for SANIRE. Rapid change was the order of the day to comply with the COVID-19 rules and regulations. We had to adjust quickly. We as council are proud to report that we have had a lot of firsts in 2020.

We held our first virtual AGM, our first series of webinars, and our first virtual Rock Engineering Practical Exam. Our SANIRE Council has moved to virtual meetings as well. We also had the quickest financial year-end under the administration of Mines Professional Associations Secretariat (MPAS), coupled with fully functional online membership database. These are only a few highlights of our improved administration.

  pdf DOWNLOAD THE FULL ISSUE HERE ... (2.51 MB)

Details

Category: Latest

Created: 07 December 2020

Dear SANIRE Member,

This is a kind reminder of the deadline for the nominations for the Rocha Medal Award in 2022, which is 31 December 2020.

Please download the following:

1. ISRM By-law No. 7, namely as concerns Articles 2 and 3.
2. Award's announcement, with a list of documents that shall compose the nomination package.

Kindly note nominations to be forwarded not later than 31 December 2020.

Details

Category: Latest

Created: 02 November 2020

Abstract Submission is Open: See Instructions below
Submission deadline is 31 Jan 2021

The 13th Asian Regional Conference (ARC13) of the International Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment (IAEG) is calling for abstract for both industry and academic presentation submissions. The conference theme is “Engineering Geology for Sustainable Resource and Infrastructure Development”.

We are seeking papers that will provoke debate, stimulate discussion, and offer new ideas, learning and the dissemination of research findings. Submissions from industry professionals are encouraged on current or future projects, methodologies and technologies. We are encouraging academic submissions based on research outcomes and developments.

Submission Guidelines

1. English is the official language throughout the meeting.
2. Only abstract received via the IAEG-ARC13 submission portal will be considered
3. All abstracts are subject to a peer review process. Reviewers are the conference’s scientific committee of experts in fields specially matching the conference.
4. The maximum limit is 2 abstracts per submitting author.
5. Abstract should contain text only (no graphics or mathematical formula and may not exceed 350 words

Bookmark these URL's For your personal reference

Conference Topics
How to Submit Abstract
Create User Account

The User Account enables the user to perform tasks like edit submission(s), monitor review status, view registration record, download/print invoices, receipts, presenter schedule & keep track of what’s new on the announcement board.

SAME USER LOG-IN
If you have an ARMS10 user account;
No need to create new user account.

Details

Category: Latest

Created: 28 October 2020

Please find the links for the SAICE socials below:

• https://web.facebook.com/SAICECIVIL/?_rdc=1&_rdr
• https://twitter.com/saice_civil?lang=en
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/south-african-institute-of-civil-engineering-geotechnical-division/?originalSubdomain=za

Details

Category: Latest

Created: 28 October 2020

Mandela Mining Precinct "Modernisation of mining" Join the conversation at the CSIR conference 11-12 November, online

The mining industry in South Africa is a key contributor to the South African economy, however a year-on-year decline in the overall profitability of the industry has been observed. This panel session will focus on research and development conducted by the CSIR in collaboration with academic institutions, facilitated by the Mandela Mining Precinct, towards modernising existing conventional narrow reef underground operations in South Africa. Mandela Mining Precinct Programme Manager: Longevity of Current Mines, Martin Pretorius shares the successes from his programme in improving the longevity of mines.
Register: https://csir75.co.za/
Date: Wednesday, 11 November 2020 Time: 13:00-13:50

Panel discussion: Re-imagining mining and the role of research and innovation in the journey
The sustainability of the mining industry in South Africa is under threat due to pressures such as high production cost low profit margins, labour unrest and rising demands by government. Modernisation of the mining industry can lead to the required transformation and return to productivity. Minerals Council South Africa Senior Executive: Safety and Modernisation, Sietse van der Woude shares his insights on the role of RDI in driving modernisation in the industry.
Date: Wednesday, 11 November 2020 Time: 14:00-14:50

Launch: Technology Availability and Readiness Atlas
The Technology Availability and Readiness Atlas (TARA) has been punted as the Autotrader° of South African mining equipment and makes access to the selection of local mining equipment seamless. In its vision to maximise the returns of South Africa's mineral wealth, and in so doing, stimulate the production of local mining equipment, the Mandela Mining Precinct has, through its Real-time Information Management Systems (RTIMS) research programme developed the TARA online database. Join RTIMS programme manager, Jean-Jacques Verhaeghe in launching this first-of-its-kind OEM database.
Date: Thursday, 12 November 2020 Time: 13:00-13:50

Details

Category: Latest

Created: 27 October 2020

Dear SANIRE Member, It is with deepest sympathy that we inform the SANIRE members of the passing of Mr. Duncan Julyan of the Minerals Council South Africa.

The SANIRE Council and members would like to convey their condolences to the family, friends and colleagues.

P Couto
SANIRE: President

Details

Category: Latest

Created: 27 October 2020

Dear valued stakeholder,
CSIR refreshed brand and positioning statement

In 2019, the CSIR adopted a new strategy aimed at amplifying the ‘I’ in ‘CSIR’, in order to support industrial development in the country and ensure that it makes a greater impact on the building and growing of industries in South Africa and, consequently, the economy. This strategy has enabled us to look at our scientific and technological capabilities with a fresh perspective. In particular, it prompts us to engage with industry on their needs, in order to provide tangible and innovative solutions that seek to improve their competitive edge, which will ultimately contribute positively to our economy. It also provides us with an opportunity to create new businesses in our quest to alleviate unemployment, poverty and inequality.

The strategy process culminated in a new vision, mission, objectives, values, focus areas, operating model and a refreshed brand, which we are proud and excited to share with you, our valuable partner and stakeholder.

The refreshed CSIR brand is a reflection of our strategic intent of ensuring the equal importance of industrial and scientific development in our innovation portfolio, in keeping with the expectations of our mandate. To ensure easy association with the brand, we have maintained our blue colour to indicate the continuity of the regal, steady, reliable and solid CSIR brand you are accustomed to.

Our new positioning statement, “Touching lives through innovation” reflects the impact that we wish to make in industry, society and government using our scientific and engineering capabilities.

Therefore, effective 23 October 2020, all our official correspondence, physical signage and online platforms will reflect the refreshed CSIR brand and positioning statement.

I wish to affirm our commitment to the research excellence, innovation and service you have come to know and experience throughout the years, and assure you that this change will not in any way affect the values and principles of the organisation.

We have shared our strategy booklet here and the refreshed brand video here. The booklet will provide you with more insight into our strategy while the video will cover the rationale behind our refreshed brand.

We appreciate your support over the years and value your confidence in us. We look forward to continuing to work productively with you.

Kind Regards,
Dr Thulani Dlamini
CSIR Chief Executive Officer