Public-Private Partnership the Mandela Mining Precinct (MMP) in partnership with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Minerals Council South Africa, are organising the project with Royal Bafokeng Platinum.

The test mine, situated 50 km north of Rustenburg, in the North West province, will be developed as an industry site for research, development and innovation, allowing for technology demonstration and testing.

For instance, the mine will be used for the testing and demonstration of locally and internationally manufactured mining equipment, as well as research and development activities aligned to the South African Mining Extraction Research Development and Innovation (SAMERDI) mining research programme.

It will also be used for research projects being undertaken by the Mine Health and Safety Council, and through local universities, as well as for start-up companies to be incubated.

"An industry test site is an essential component for a successful research and development programme for the South African mining industry's sustainability. This is a significant step in strengthening mining's contribution to the National System of Innovation" said MMP programme manager, Jurgens Visser.

"This establishment will create immediate visibility and value for the SAMERDI strategy and deliver value to mining companies, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and other stakeholders," added Visser.

A statement from MMP added that currently trainees rely on "the goodwill of mining companies and their operations to provide test sites".

"This has limitations, such as difficulty in accessing the mines; geographical spread across the industry; perceived interruption by production personnel in their production efforts, and other challenges", said the MMP.