An interview with Riaan Bergh, CSIR Impact Area Manager: Mining Testing and Training

The mining sector is an important pillar of the South African economy. The sector faces many challenges to deliver sustained productivity, transformation and technological advancement in areas such as digitalisation and the tools honed by the fourth industrial revolution. However, at the centre of this, are those who deliver underground riches to the surface. In the pursuit of Zero Harm, and impacting on the lives of thousands, technology remains the game changer to ensure quality, independent testing and verification services, targeted training, relevant research outcomes and competent technical advice. This is a combination of experience, human expertise and infrastructure. Facing statutory requirements, pressure to modernise operations and economic challenges, the mining sector has the opportunity to craft a model for closer collaboration and co-creation of capabilities with the CSIR as research, development and innovation provider.