Seven years of building a mining innovation platform
Founded in 2019 by Bokang Kelepa and Baletsema Mining & Technology Services to break down silos between government, academia, mining companies and unions — and prepare South African mining for the technological transformations ahead.
The 4IRinMining Seminar opened the conversation. It helped mining professionals engage with digitalisation, automation, AI, intelligent systems and the possibilities of connected mines.
But innovation in mining can no longer be discussed as technology alone. The real work now lies in implementation.
Innovation in Mining is the next chapter. It is not a cosmetic name change. It is a strategic repositioning from technology awareness to responsible implementation.
The inaugural 4IRinMining Seminar launched in partnership with UNISA, founded by Bokang Kelepa and Baletsema Mining & Technology Services to break down silos between government, academia, mining companies and unions. Keynote contributors included Prof Serkan Saydam (UNSW), Dr Mbuyu Sumbwanyambe (UNISA) and Elad Abbo (Israel Aerospace Industries).
The COVID-19 pandemic forced a temporary pause. The industry continued to mature in its thinking around digitalisation, safety and the practical role of technology in active mining environments.
The seminar returned in collaboration with Full Potential under the theme 4IR Technology and Innovation: What does this mean for our union leaders in the mining sector? — empowering union leaders with the knowledge to navigate the impacts of technology on labour and operations.
Held on 7 November 2024 at the University of Johannesburg in partnership with SAPMA, AMSA and MPAS. Dr Gargi Mishra delivered a keynote on Re-imagining Mines with AI and Digital Innovation. Goldfields, Tharisa Minerals, UJ, Wits and Nerospec contributed alongside founder Bokang Kelepa.
A two-day seminar at Wits University (24–25 July 2025) under the theme Re-Inventing Mining: Building Competent, Safe & Sustainable Mines of the Future. 1000+ delegates, 30+ exhibitors, 15 thought leaders and over 500,000 digital impressions. 90% of attendees rated the content extremely or very helpful.
The platform is repositioned as the Innovation in Mining Seminar under the theme The Just Innovation Transition — Building Safer, Smarter & Human-Centred Mines of the Future. 13 & 14 August 2026, Wits University, Johannesburg.
“The whole point is for people to learn and go implement. I may be the founder, but there's so much that I learn and take away.”
“The illiterate of the 21st century won't be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”