State-owned minerals researcher Mintek was established in July 1934 under an Act of Parliament with a mandate to serve the national interest through technology transfer and research and development (R&D). The organisation works with industry and other R&D organisations to research, develop and implement new and improved technologies in the minerals and metallurgical sectors, including precious and base metals, ferroalloys and industrial minerals.

Providing world-class R&D expertise, testwork and process optimisation on an international basis, Mintek’s activities range from initial investigations to process development, and the design, construction and commissioning of industrial plants. Working closely with clients and in conjunction with engineering partners, Mintek supplies a flexible package of technology for process development and optimisation.

The organisation’s order book value currently exceeds R200-million and boasts a yearly turnover of R461.5-million, as at end of March 2014. Mintek is currently working with the Department of Mineral Resources to manage the rehabilitation of certain abandoned mine sites over a three-year period. The total value of this contract is R165-million.

Further, Mintek is well positioned to conduct diamondiferous testwork, with years of experience and competent staff to carry out laboratory testing (heavy-media separation) and pilot testing (dense-media separation) on kimberlitic material. In addition to the organisation’s mineralogical division, which has a workspace dedicated to diamond characterisation, the heavies generated from metallurgical preconcentration can be further explored through stereomicroscopy and Fourier transform infrared, or FTIR, methodology.

With a staff complement of 704, Mintek employs a highly qualified workforce, including metallurgical, chemical and electronics engineers, chemists, physicists and mineralogists.

The organisation has been certified by accredited independent external auditors to meet various OHSAS and ISO health and safety, environmental management and quality standards. In addition, Mintek is registered as a uranium and thorium testwork facility with the National Nuclear Regulator and the Department of Energy and is now fully authorised to import, export, acquire, possess, use and transport uranium and thorium.

Mintek is based at 200 Malibongwe drive, Strijdom Park, Randburg.