FORESIGHT MINING AND METALLURGY REPORT

The National Research and Technology Foresight (NRTF) Project is one of a number
of initiatives launched by the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology
(DACST) as part of its mandate to review and reform the science and technology
system in South Africa. The NRTF Project looks at various sectors of the South African economy, and mining and metallurgy was one of the 12 sectors chosen.
The Mining and Metallurgy Sector Working Group, the operational arm of the
project, was made up of about 30 knowledgeable people from government, the mining industry, labour, science councils, and tertiary education institutions. The aim of the Working Group was to identify research and technology topics and strategies for the mining and metallurgy sector in South Africa that could realise substantial economic and social benefits for the country over the next 10 to 20 years. DACST committed itself to using the results of the Foresight exercise as an important input into its investment in research and development. 

Part of the Foresight process involved testing the outputs by means of a survey
questionnaire distributed to the wider audience in the mining and metallurgy sector in South Africa. The Foresight survey carried out on this sector resulted in a statistically significant response that emphasised both wealth creation and quality of life as the major issues for all our people. Quality of life has a special significance in the mining sector and is directly related to both health and safety. The serious impact of HIV/AIDS over the next 10 to 20 years on our human resources, productivity and the economy, was noted as the priority issue by the respondents to the survey.