Deep precious metals mining is being heated by the flames of extinction, made up of increasing mine depth, lengthening travel time to the rock face, higher electricity tariffs, rising labour costs, the fluctuating rand:dollar exchange rate and relatively weak commodity prices. Without greater economic viability, it is projected that many deep South African platinum mines and gold mines won’t see out the next decade. Assisting gold and platinum mining is the stated pressing priority of the new Mandela Mining Precinct “because that’s where the crisis is right now”. Some believe that audacious indigenous Fourth Industrial Revolution solutions should be deployed to douse the flames.