Keynote speaker: TBA

Conveners: Petronella Museta

The Fourth Industrial Revolution has a transformative impact on mineral resources in countries across Africa. With the fusion of digital, physical, and biological technologies, African countries are leveraging these advancements to drive innovation and enhance their mineral resource sector. Automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence are revolutionizing exploration, mining operations, and mineral processing. Drones and remote sensing technologies are employed for efficient geological mapping and mineral prospecting. Data analytics and predictive modeling optimize resource extraction, reduce costs, and minimize environmental impacts. The increased demand for renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles has created opportunities for African countries rich in critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements. This has the potential to stimulate economic growth, attract foreign investment, and foster job creation. However, African countries also face challenges such as the need for skilled labor and digital literacy, ensuring equitable access to technology and benefits, and addressing environmental and social concerns associated with increased mining activities. It is crucial for African governments, industry stakeholders, and educational institutions to collaborate, develop supportive policies, and invest in capacity building to harness the potential of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the mineral resource sector for sustainable development in the continent.

ST13_S01-The fourth Industrial revolution and its impact on mineral resource countries 

Conveners: Petronella Museta

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) or Industry 4.0 represents the next phase in the digitization of the manufacturing sector, driven by disruptive technologies such as connectivity, data, computational power, analytics and intelligence, human-machine interaction, and advanced engineering. This revolution is propelled by cloud technology, Machine Learning (ML), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data Analytics (BDA), complemented with blockchain technology, the Internet of Things (IoT), and 5G technology.

Africa possesses abundant resources and reserves of essential mineral commodities, making it a significant producer of metals and minerals like gold, diamond, cobalt, bauxite, iron ore, coal, and copper throughout the continent. The mineral industry plays a vital role in many African countries, contributing substantially to their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and serving as a crucial source of export earnings. Consequently, the industry holds immense importance for economic growth in Africa. The technological advancements driving the Fourth Industrial Revolution are reshaping various sectors and economies, and the mining sector, along with its underlying mineral resources in Africa, is no exception. These transformative technologies are revolutionizing the entire mining value chain, redefining processes and operations, and enhancing productivity and efficiency in the African mining industry.

ST13_S02- Geostatistics and Data Science in resource development and quantification

Conveners: TBA 

Geostatistics and Data Science play a critical role in resource development and quantification by providing valuable tools and techniques for analyzing and interpreting spatial data in the field of Earth sciences. Geostatistics and Data Science play a crucial role in resource development and quantification in Africa, where the continent is rich in diverse mineral resources. Geostatistical techniques provide a systematic approach for analyzing and interpreting spatial data, allowing for accurate estimation and modeling of mineral deposits in unmeasured areas. This is particularly important in Africa, where resource exploration often takes place in remote and underexplored regions. By integrating geostatistics with Data Science, African countries can leverage advanced analytics and machine learning algorithms to extract meaningful insights from large and complex datasets. These insights can inform decision-making processes, optimize sampling strategies, and assess the potential of mineral resources more effectively. Geostatistics and Data Science enable African nations to make informed decisions, attract investment in resource development, and promote sustainable management of their mineral wealth, contributing to economic growth, job creation, and overall development in the region.

ST13_S03- Artificial intelligence, big data, and mineral system approach in mineral predictive mapping: Background and applications

Conveners: TBA 

Artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and the mineral system approach have emerged as powerful tools in mineral predictive mapping, offering new opportunities for mineral exploration and resource assessment in Africa. The combination of AI and big data analytics enables the processing and analysis of vast amounts of geological, geochemical, and geophysical data, enhancing the understanding of mineralization processes and identifying potential mineral deposits. The mineral system approach provides a conceptual framework that integrates geological, geochemical, and geophysical information to model the formation and distribution of mineral resources. In Africa, where there is still significant untapped mineral potential, the application of AI, big data, and the mineral system approach can help prioritize exploration targets, guide efficient resource allocation, and reduce exploration risks. By leveraging these advanced technologies and methodologies, African countries can enhance their mineral resource assessment capabilities, attract investment in the mining sector, and foster sustainable development in the region.