MINDSHIFT CONFERENCE

POSTPONED TO 21 MAY  2026

Management has made the strategic decision to postpone the conference to align it with the Innovation Awards. This exciting development will provide our valued members with sufficient time to prepare their award entries and create a more comprehensive, impactful event experience. Both the conference and awards ceremony will now take place together in May 2026.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this change may cause and appreciate your understanding as we work to deliver an even more valuable experience.

AI – An interrupter to be embraced – How does the mining sector remain efficient?

A Mind Shift is essential to keep South Africa’s mining machinery sector relevant and competitive.

South Africa stands at the edge of a crucial industrial transformation. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a future trend: it is here, and it is reshaping the mining and manufacturing value chains at an accelerated pace. This conference is a national call to action for government, academia, labour, skills development institutions, youth, mining companies, and manufacturers to confront the full force of this disruption and to prepare boldly, urgently, and collaboratively for the AI-driven industrial era.

MEMSA strives to ensure an enabling environment for growth for our members, thereby ensuring meaningful contribution to the country’s economy and the well-being of society at large.

AI as an interrupter needs to be encouraged and unpacked, to ensure:

• aligned industrial policy,
• best practice, academic and real-life experience,
• re-skilled workforce,
• economic considerations,
• And the overall impact of this phenomena.

The Mind Shift Conference is the only innovation conference in South Africa which brings together relevant stakeholders from manufacturing, labour, academia, the mining industry, and government.

Come network with the Captains of industry in the mining sector, Labor Movement management, Business, and other stakeholders.

Registration Fees: 

• MEMSA Delegates:
  Daily Pass R3 500
• Non MEMSA Delegates:
  Daily Pass R4 500

Early Bird Delegate Passes Rates:

Available from 30 May to 11 July 2025

• MEMSA Members Only
  R2 000 Per delegate for 3 or more delegate passes
• Non MEMSA Delegates
  R3 000 Per delegate for 3 or more delegate passes

For more enquiries contact: nthabiseng@memsa.org.za

The conference programme will follow in due course.

Speakers

Topic: Responsible innovation – Policy, ethics for a sustainable mining future. Inclusive and sustainable mining development

Mr. Ian Chauke (Moderator)

Mine Manager and Founder of Legacy Talk

Mine Manager | BMF Executive | Founder of Legacy Talk | Chief Ideas Officer | ESG Strategist | Speaker, Ian Chauke is a respected mining professional and Black Management Forum (BMF) executive with over 17 years of leadership and operational experience in South Africa’s most demanding mining environments.

He currently serves as Mine Manager at Universal Coal, where he oversees both underground and open-pit operations with a strong emphasis on safety, sustainability, and inclusive performance.Ian holds a Bachelor of Technology in Mining Engineering from the University of Johannesburg and has built a versatile career across major mining houses—Gold Fields, AngloGold Ashanti, Anglo American, Samancor, Exxaro, and BHP—as well as within the consulting and contracting sector through Legare Mining Services, Bora Mining, Plantcor, and MBR Resources.

He is the Founder and Chief Ideas Officer of Legacy Talk, a platform dedicated to sparking purpose-driven conversations that inspire leadership, legacy, and transformation across Africa’s industrial and professional landscapes. His technical and operational expertise spans gold, PGMs, chrome, coal, phosphate, and copper, and includes work on feasibility studies, production turnarounds, and modernization programs.

Ian also plays a pivotal role in ESG leadership and youth mentorship, consistently championing people development as a core strategy for long-term industry impact. As a published thought leader, Ian has contributed to ZiMining Magazine, appeared on numerous mining podcasts, and delivered keynote addresses at major industry gatherings, including the Ideal Summit in Botswana and AMMZA Zimbabwe. His work has also been profiled in the Mineworkers Magazine. Ian is an active member of both the South African Colliery Managers’ Association (SACMA) and the Association of Mine Managers of South Africa (AMMSA). His work is driven by a passion for transforming people, not just processes, and his influence continues to grow both within mining and beyond.

Dr. Muhammad Ahsan Mahboob (Panelist)

Head of DigiMine, Wits Mining Institute

Dr. Muhammad Ahsan Mahboob is a leading expert in digital mining, AI-driven geospatial intelligence, and data analytics for the mining industry. As Head of the Sibanye-Stillwater Digital Mining Laboratory (DigiMine) at the University of the Witwatersrand, he spearheads cutting-edge research and technological advancements in AI, data science, and mining systems to enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

With over a decade of experience spanning academia, industry, and research, Dr. Mahboob has been instrumental in developing AI-powered frameworks for mineral resource exploration, cybersecurity in digital mines, and UAV systems for underground mining. He is also the Principal Investigator of the EU Horizon-funded MASTERMINE Project, which leverages AI for community engagement in mining regions. His work has contributed to advancing digital mining solutions, integrating machine learning, geospatial analytics, and emerging mining technologies to address industry challenges.

Through his leadership at DigiMine, he has established pioneering research collaborations and driven transformative projects in AI, automation, and real-time monitoring systems for the mining sector. Dr. Mahboob has published over 50 scientific papers and frequently delivers keynote addresses at global conferences on AI adoption, data-driven mining innovations, and the future of digital mining. He is also a member of the Artificial Intelligence Working Group (AIWG) for the mining industry, contributing to global AI strategies and technological advancements in the field. His expertise in bridging academia, industry, and technological progress has made a significant impact on digital transformation in mining, advancing resource optimization, sustainability, and the integration of emerging technologies.

Topic: How ready is the South African mining sector for AI? Best Practice of AI & IoT Mining and Equipment

Sihesenkosi Nhleko (Panelist)

Academic Director, Centre for Sustainable Mining NWU

Sihe Nhleko is a highly accomplished Mining Engineer with extensive experience specialising in sustainable mining practices, mine design and planning, mine optimisation, asset management, and the application of artificial intelligence in mining operations.

His diverse background spans production, mine design, planning, valuation, and fleet management optimisation, all aimed at developing practical, cost-effective, efficient, and safe mining solutions. Sihe’s expertise in machine learning, particularly in data analytics, predictive modelling, and decision-making algorithms, has significantly improved the accuracy of mine planning, equipment efficiency, and overall operational performance. He has successfully led numerous projects in open-pit and underground conventional and mechanised mining operations, showcasing his ability to deliver results-driven outcomes. A goal-oriented and results-driven professional, Sihe excels both individually and as part of a team. His proven track record in executing complex mining projects underscores his ability to work collaboratively and effectively, making him an asset in any mining endeavour.

Mr. Mapheu Ishmael Mawasha (Panelist)

CEO and Founder, Jupiter Mining

Mapheu Mawasha is a passionate and dynamic Mining Engineer with 15 years of experience who has risen through the ranks from a Mining Learner Official to Acting General Manager.

His career progression includes roles such as Miner, Shiftboss, Drill and Blast Engineer, Mine Planning Engineer, Project Manager, Production Manager, and Mine Manager. Mapheu’s extensive experience spans various mining methods, including Open Pit, Deep Level Underground Narrow Reef Conventional, Room & Pillar, High Speed Trackless Development, Block Caving, Cut & Fill, Shrinkage Mining, and Massive Long Hole Stoping in deep, intermediate, and shallow mines. He has worked with a diverse range of commodities, including Vanadium, Gold, Manganese, Copper, Lead, Zinc, and Silver. Currently, Mapheu is the Founder and Director of Jupiter Mining (Pty) Ltd, a newly established Mining and Support Services Company. He holds a Bachelor of Technology in Mining Engineering, a Mine Manager’s Certificate of Competency (Metalliferous), a Mine Overseer Certificate of Competency (Metalliferous), and an Underground Blasting Certificate (Metalliferous).

About the conference

“The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Mining and Manufacturing: Disruption, Readiness, and the Future of South Africa’s Industrial Ecosystem”

21 August 2025

Purpose

• This conference aims to unite government leaders, industry executives, researchers, youth representatives, labour unions, and skills development bodies to confront the urgent and far-reaching disruption AI is causing in South Africa’s mining and manufacturing sectors, and to collectively respond with strategy, innovation, and inclusive action.

Introduction

• South Africa stands at the edge of a crucial industrial transformation. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a future trend: it is here, and it is reshaping the mining and manufacturing value chains at an accelerating pace. This conference is a national call to action for government, academia, labour, skills development institutions, youth, mining companies, and manufacturers to confront the full force of this disruption and to prepare boldly, urgently, and collaboratively for the AI-driven industrial era.
• AI is fundamentally disrupting how resources are discovered, extracted, processed, and delivered. In mining, the entire value chain, from exploration to rehabilitation, is being redefined by automation, real-time data analytics, autonomous vehicles, and smart safety systems. In manufacturing, smart factories powered by AI are replacing legacy systems with intelligent machines, predictive maintenance, and customised production at unprecedented speed and precision. This is not incremental change—it is structural and irreversible.

Why each sector must be at the table

• The Government must be ready to respond with more than policy, it must lead. The speed of AI adoption demands agile, forward-looking governance. South Africa needs a strong regulatory environment that enables innovation while ensuring ethical standards, digital equity, and economic inclusion. Policymakers are urged to bring clarity on AI strategies, incentivise digital industrialisation, and protect vulnerable sectors as disruption unfolds.
• Academia must act as both a mirror and a compass. Universities and research institutions must reflect the reality of this shift while guiding the country into the unknown. They must lead in applied research, accelerate the development of AI talent pipelines, and produce insights that inform not only industry innovation but also policy and public discourse. Institutions must be proactive, not reactive, in reshaping curricula and collaborating with both public and private sectors to future-proof South Africa’s workforce.
• Youth are both the most at risk and the most capable of leading this transformation. The future of mining and manufacturing depends on young people who are AI-literate, entrepreneurial, creative, and ethically grounded. Yet, many face unemployment, under-skilling, and exclusion from meaningful participation. Youth voices must be centered in this debate, not just as beneficiaries, but as designers of the future. South Africa’s youth must be empowered, trained, included, and elevated.
• The mining sector must do more than adopt AI; it must transform responsibly. South African mining houses must rethink value creation in a data-driven economy, integrate AI across exploration, safety, and operations, and prepare their workforce for a new kind of mining culture. AI is already disrupting traditional practices; the question now is how mining leaders will ensure that the benefits are shared and sustainable.
• The mining equipment manufacturing sector must accelerate its transition or risk falling behind. South African manufacturers must embrace AI not as an add-on, but as the core of their competitiveness strategy. From smart logistics to intelligent quality control, AI is redefining operational excellence. South African industry must be ready to compete globally, through investment, innovation, and partnerships that embed AI into their DNA.
• Labour organisations must shift from resistance to readiness. The rise of AI threatens to displace traditional roles, especially in labour-intensive sectors. But it also presents a chance to redefine work, champion new job categories, and ensure workers are not casualties of automation but co-creators of the future. Trade unions and worker bodies in South Africa must be fully engaged in this transition, demanding inclusion, advocating for re-skilling, and driving social dialogue that ensures no worker is left behind.

Conclusion

• South Africa’s readiness is not optional. AI is not waiting for us to catch up. Each sector, public, private, and civil society, must show leadership, act decisively, and build bridges between innovation and inclusion. This conference is not just a platform for discussion, it is a launchpad for readiness, resilience, and reform.