FOCUS
on mining & minerals processing
South Africa's Council
for Scientific and
Industrial Research (CSIR) and Boeing,
the world's largest aerospace company,
have formalized their collaboration. The
two entities will cooperate on developing
ways to incorporate titanium powder into
novel industrial manufacturing processes
and products. This mutually beneficial
agreement, bolstered by South Africa's
rich titanium ore reserves, supports the
nation's long-term economic development
goals that include the supply of titanium
to many industries, including aerospace.
South Africa currently boasts the
world’s second-largest reserves of tita-
nium ore. The CSIR has developed and
Thursday, 11 July 2013,
marked the
conclusion of this year’s annual national
science competition for Grade 11 and 12
learners at Mintek, an initiative aimed at
inspiring the dreams and visions of South
Africa’s future scientists. The learners
representing the Western Cape Prov-
ince scooped the 2013 Minquiz science
competition.
The team was made up of Bradleigh
Charlton Marks from The Settlers High
School, Musa Omar from Livingstone
High School, James Nevin from Wester-
ford High School and Ismail Rawoot from
Bishops (Diocesan College).
Research of titanium powder for manufacturing joint venture
patented an innovative process that con-
verts titanium tetrachloride to titanium
powder. In 2012, the CSIR and Boeing
reached an agreement to collaborate
on a Titanium Beneficiation Cooperative
Research Plan that embraces these CSIR
developed technologies.
Dr Willie du Preez, Director of the Tita-
nium Centre of Competence, said that the
collaboration with Boeing will bring sig-
nificant value to South Africa. “Boeing’s
competencies and experience regarding
the applications of titanium in aerospace
parts and structures will hugely comple-
ment the CSIR’s drive towards commer-
cialization of the titanium technologies.”
KwaZulu-Natal took the second place,
Limpopo came third, Free State and the
North West claimed the fourth and fifth
place, respectively.
Abiel Mngomezulu, Mintek CEO, said
that Minquiz is one of the various promo-
tion activities Mintek has aimed at raising
awareness of the importance of minerals
and metallurgy to South Africa.
Studying physical science and math-
ematics in their schools, these learners
advanced to the national competition
following rigorous provincial competitions
which took place in May at 11 centres
throughout SA's nine provinces.
Boeing Research & Technology (BR&T)
will oversee the company’s research
activity in Africa’s largest economy. As
Boeing's advanced R&D organization,
BR&T is focused on developing future
aerospace solutions and improving the
cycle time, cost, quality and performance
of current aerospace systems. BR&T
conducts its own research and works
with partners around the world to find
technologies that are innovative and af-
fordable.
Western Cape learners win Mintek science competition
“Our mandate at Mintek includes
encouraging learners to take up science-,
technology- and engineering-related
careers in the minerals and metallurgy
sector,” Mngomezulu pointed out.
The Minquiz finale included exhibitions
showcasing some of Mintek’s minerals
processing and metallurgical engineer-
ing products to the students as well as
products and services of sponsoring
institutions.
11
Chemical Technology • September 2013
For more information contact Ulwazi
Mgwadleka on tel: +27 11 709 4111;
or email:
.
For more information, please contact:
Dr Willie du Preez, Director: Titanium Centre
of Competence; tel: +27 12 841 4955; or
email:
