RCIPS Seminar Series: TIA Support for Innovation in Mining and Minerals Sector

04 Feb 2014
04 Feb 2014

RCIPS hosted the first of its seminar series for 2014 on 23 January. Two representatives from the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), Mr Saberi Marais (Business Development Manager, Western and Northern Cape) and Mr Solwazi Majola (Senior Investment Case Specialist, Mining Sector), pictured here, provided an overview of funding support mechanisms from TIA for technology innovation in the Mining and Minerals Sector of South Africa.

TIA's Mining Business Unit objectives are focused across the Mining Value Chain, from Mineral Exploration, Minerals Upgrading and Value Addition (Beneficiation) to Post Closure and Post Rehabilitation Social and Labour Plans and includes the Mining Sector Input Sectors:-

  • Efficient, safe and competitive production
  • Environmental and health management
  • Minerals upgrading and value addition
  • Lateral migration (i.e. applying mining skills elsewhere)
  • Innovation culture through skills development (i.e. can include postgrad. / student funding)

TIA's Mining Business Unit objectives are focused across the Mining Value Chain, from Mineral Exploration, Minerals Upgrading and Value Addition (Beneficiation) to Post Closure and Post Rehabilitation Social and Labour Plans and includes the Mining Sector Input Sectors:-

TIA's general mandate, governed by the TIA Act No.26 of 2008, is to invest in technology innovation that is post proof-of-concept stage, but not yet market ready (i.e. early stage commercialisation). Funding is awarded after a positive outcome to an investment due diligence process evaluating the technology, legal, IP and commercialisation aspects of the proposal. Once technology is market ready, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and private Venture Capital (VC) firms may invest.

Recently, TIA has also made funding available for the development of technology that still needs development within the university through its UCT TIA Seed Fund. The UCT TIA Seed Fund is managed and administered by UCT and funding of up to R 500,000 per proposal available.

Mr Majola indicated that Water Management is a critical challenged faced by the Minerals and Mining Sector at present and invited technologists and engineers to develop solutions that will address this particular challenge. If more information is required regarding access to TIA funding, the TIA application process, technology readiness for investment, or the TIA Seed Fund, please contact Dr Andrew Bailey at RCIPS.