Publications | Minerals to Metals Initiative

Public engagement

South Africa is moving away from coal – how mines and power stations could be used for green energy and farming

When coal is phased out and green energy phased in, coal assets can either be abandoned or turned into something that is useful for communities.

South Africa’s coal mines are leaking methane – and no one knows how much

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that is released from a variety of natural and anthropogenic sources, including coal mining. In South Africa, we don't know how much methane is released in coal mining operations.

Coal divestment – where does the environmental buck stop when the bucks stop rolling in?

In the case of divesting coal mining there are two problems: firstly, divestment of coal mines does not mean that coal stops being mined and burnt; secondly, the environmental impacts of coal mining will continue unless remediated.

Reports

Beneath the Bottleneck: An R&D and Technology Readiness Review of Lithium and Rare Earth Processing

This report maps the production baseline and active R&D across the lithium and rare earth value chains (four processing routes in total)and assigns technology readiness levels (TRLs)1 to each technology.

A Climate Blindspot? Coal Mine Methane in South Africa

The findings of this report reveal critical data gaps and institutional challenges, also highlight pathways for South Africa to align its energy reliance with global climate goals while strengthening national resilience.

A heap of old keyboards in black and white

E-Waste plastics in South Africa

Despite their relatively small volume, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Plastics pose significant environmental and health risks due to their complex composition and potentially hazardous additives.

Developing mine closure risk ratings and a post-closure opportunity framework for South Africa

The overarching aim of this project was to produce national mine closure risk and opportunity maps and classifications to inform and support mine closure planning and policy in South Africa.

Repurposing pyrite from coal waste

This study aims to provide a proof of concept to demonstrate the feasibility to concentrate pyrite contained in South African coal wastes and recover iron-based coagulants.

Journal articles

Ajiboye, E.A., Moyo, T. & Petersen, J. 2026 Sequential and Selective Separation of Tin and Lead from Solder of Waste Printed Circuit Boards: Electrochemical Study. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-026-01602-3

Koovarjee, B., Becker, M., Broadhurst, J., & von Holdt, J. RC. (2026). Spatial Framework for Assessing Chronic Containment Risks in Tailings Storage Facilities: A Case Study from South Africa. Cleaner Waste Systems, 100536. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clwas.2026.100536

Stander, H.-M., Harrison, S. T. L., & Broadhurst, J. L. (2025). Early-stage design and development of mine waste valorisation technologies with expert input. Journal of Cleaner Production, 496(February), 145103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2025.145103

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Conference proceedings

Stander, H.-M., & Broadhurst, J. L. (2025). Conceptualising a regionally integrated approach for the valorisation of coal mining-related waste: A case study in the Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. In F. van de Venter, Q. Campbell, S. Bada, M. le Roux, G. Marè, S. McGonigal, M. Cresswell, & W. du Preez (Eds.), ICPC XXI 2025 (Vol. 416, p. 01001). MATEC Web of Conferences. https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/202541601001

Stander, H.-M., Du, S., Mokolmela, R., & Broadhurst, J. (2025). An integrated approach for waste repurposing and environmental remediation in the South African coal mining industry. Mine Closure 2025: Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Mine Closure, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.36487/acg_repo/2515_54

Uys, N., Becker, M. & Petersen, J. (2024). "Evaluation of recycled galvanised steel as a resource for Zn production." Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2738, 012029 (Process Mineralogy '24) https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/2738/1/012029

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Books and book chapters

Isheloke, B.E. (Ed.). 2020. Brics and Economic Development: A Multidisciplinary Perspective. INTERNATIONAL PRESS, Coimbatore, India, 2020; ISBN 978-93-89631-62-3 ISBN (eBook) 978-93-89631-63-0. https://doi.org/10.34256/iorip2028

Stander HM, Broadhurst JL. 2019. Reflection on Method of Expert Interviews for Research on Sustainable Development of Mineral Resources in Africa. In Sustainable Development in Africa: Concepts and Methodological Approaches, Masafumi Nagao, Jennifer L. Broadhurst, Sampson Edusah, Kwabena G. Awere (eds.), Denver, CO: Spears Media Press. 133-133–151. ISBN: 9781942876458

Petersen J. and van Staden P.J.: ‘Copper Heap Leaching – Process, Principles and Practical Considerations ‘; in Copper Hydrometallurgy: Principles and Practice; Berend Wassink and Edouard Asselin (Editors), Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), 2019; ISBN 978-1-926872-45-2

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