On Premises Infrastructure
- 1 Vox Telecom Fibre (Primary): This high-speed fiber optic line serves as the primary internet connection, ensuring robust and reliable connectivity for all on-premises operations.
- 2 Vox Wireless Internet (Failover): As the secondary, failover internet connection, this standalone system utilizes radio waves for data transmission, providing an independent and resilient backup in case of primary line disruptions.
- 3 MikroTik Router (Fibre Optic Connection): Dedicated router managing the primary fiber optic internet connection.
- MikroTik Router (Wireless Internet Connection): Dedicated router managing the secondary wireless internet failover connection.
- FortiGate Primary Firewall: This on-premises next-generation firewall is designed to provide comprehensive protection against a wide range of cyber threats, including malware, viruses, and intrusion attempts. It also enforces security policies, controls access to network resources, and monitors network activity. FortiGate appliances can be hardware-based or virtual and are deployed to secure various network environments.
- FortiGate Secondary Firewall / Failover: Configured as an identical clone to the primary firewall, this acts as a crucial backup. It is designed to provide load balancing or seamless takeover in the event of a critical failure or maintenance on the primary firewall, ensuring continuous network security.
- Fortinet PoE Switch Primary: This core component of our physical network, likely a Juniper EX2200, facilitates high-speed connections. Its Power over Ethernet (PoE) capabilities eliminate the need for separate power supplies by directly powering devices such as IP phones, wireless access points, and security cameras. It also supports advanced features like Quality of Service (QoS), VLANs, and Link Aggregation for optimized network performance.
- Fortinet PoE Switch Secondary: This secondary switch extends the network's capacity by increasing the number of available Ethernet ports. It is connected to the primary switch via port trunking, ensuring efficient data flow and redundancy.
- Unmanaged Switch: A simple 10/100/1000Mbps networking device that allows for connecting multiple devices on the network. It requires no configuration, has no web interface or advanced features, and simply forwards data packets between connected devices.
- Supermicro Iris: A comprehensive set of hardware and software management tools developed by Supermicro for their server products. Iris enables detailed monitoring and control of various server aspects, including system health, power usage, and thermal management. It also offers remote access, event logging, and firmware updates, accessible via a web or command-line interface.
- NVR (Network Video Recorder): This device is responsible for recording footage from our IP cameras, providing continuous surveillance of our Rosebank offices and server room. It offers remote access for live viewing and playback of recorded footage.
- Security Server: Hosts the Gallagher software, which is crucial for managing access cards, defining access zones, and integrating with the video surveillance system.
- Yealink Desktop Phone: A Voice over IP (VoIP) phone primarily used by the main reception desk to manage the organization's main telephone line.
- CCTV Cameras: IP cameras connected to the NVR, providing video surveillance across the office space.
- Konica Minolta MFP (Multi-Function Printer): A centralized network printer offering multi-function capabilities, enhanced with password protection and user box configuration for secure and organized document management.
- Front Door Access Controller: A dedicated device that controls access to the Minerals Council Main entrance, a secure area, by verifying the identity of individuals. The controller is programmed to grant access exclusively to authorized Minerals Council users.
- Microsoft Teams Meeting Rooms: Dedicated setups for facilitating seamless Microsoft Teams meetings within the office environment.
- Access Control and NVR Monitoring: The on-premises access control and network video recorder monitoring environment supports secure entry management and onsite video surveillance. Itec Group supports these systems. Itec provides managed business technology services including intelligent security, cybersecurity, communications, connectivity, print and software solutions.
The core components that run the IT systems are securely housed within locked, air-conditioned network cabinets in a dedicated, locked server room. This server room is under 24/7 CCTV surveillance and its access is strictly controlled, limited only to authorized Minerals Council technology staff, ensuring no unauthorized entry at any point in time.
SharePoint / Sites
Intranet
Intranet: A secure centralized gateway that provides employees with access to a variety of tools, links and resources used within the organization.
- Circulars: A system featuring multiple committees, document storage and email-based information dissemination to committee members.
- Document Centre: A central repository where all formal company documentation is stored:
- Brand Management
- Operational Documentation
- Policies, Procedures and Guidelines
- Templates
- Membership Registers
- Helpdesk: Is the single point of contact to the I.T. and Administration support team. All technical and administrative queries should be logged through the helpdesk.
- Internal Telephone Directory: Employee names, email addresses, phone numbers and extensions.
- Manuals: How-to guides and manuals that address frequently asked questions.
- Media Library: Photo gallery of various mining events and team members.
- Office Booking: Verde is a workplace management solution for the booking of desks, offices, and meeting rooms. When coming to the office, it is mandatory to reserve a workspace in advance.
- Reimbursements: A portal to manage and process reimbursement requests submitted by employees when costs related to company activities are incurred.
- Organogram: The visual representation of how the organization is structured, showing the hierarchy of the different levels of management and departments.
Subscriptions
- Sabinet: Online government gazettes and policy documents.
- PMG: Parliamentary Monitoring Group, an online portal through which one can get minutes and documents of parliamentary committees.
- NewsClip: A service that monitors the media for any mention of the Minerals Council.
- Publications: Financial Mail, Business Day, Mining Weekly and SAIMM Monthly Journal.
- Sage ESS: Sage People ESS is an Employee Self Service system that allows employees to access their personal information, apply for leave, and perform other HR-related tasks online.
- Personal Database
- Travel and Accommodation: A portal to manage travel requests, travel authorizations, bookings, and expenses.
Existing SharePoint Sites and Data Containers
- Minerals Council Intranet (SiteMap)
- Circulars
- HelpDesk
- Document Center
- Employee files
- Internal Telephone Directory
- Media Library
- Manuals
- Organogram
- Reimbursement (Data container)
- Travel and Accommodation (Data container)
Applications / Portals
Overview of licensed software, active subscriptions and portals.
Business Applications
- BoardEffects: A secure board-management platform used to manage board meetings, agendas, documents, committees and governance workflows.
- BowTie XP: Risk assessment software that uses bowtie diagrams to visualise hazards, controls, threats and consequences.
- Sage 300 People: Integrated HR and payroll software used to manage employee information, payroll and employee self-service functions.
- Sage Accounting: Accounting software used for financial administration, invoicing, VAT, bookkeeping and financial reporting.
- PW WEB Approvals: An electronic approval workflow system used to submit, route and manage business approval requests.
- CoMCert: An organisational system used to support the management and administration of company certification-related processes.
- Omega: A business application used within the organisation to support specific operational and administrative processes.
- Sabinet: Online information and research services providing access to South African and African legal, government and research content.
- LexisNexis: A professional research and information platform providing access to legal, business and regulatory information.
- 3CX: An enterprise IP phone and communications platform supporting business telephony, call handling, conferencing and remote communication.
Microsoft Services
- Microsoft Copilot: A secure AI assistant for work that helps users find information, draft and summarise content, analyse information and complete tasks across Microsoft 365. The application is available to all Minerals Council users, with features governed by each user's licence and existing Microsoft 365 permissions.
- MS Entra ID: Microsoft's cloud identity and access management service used for authentication, user identities and access control.
- Office 365 Business Basic: Microsoft 365 licence providing cloud productivity applications and services for users.
- Office 365 Business Premium: Microsoft 365 licence combining productivity services with additional security and device-management capabilities.
- Microsoft Defender for Office 365 (Plan 1): Email and collaboration security protection against phishing, malware and malicious content.
- Microsoft Defender for Office 365 (Plan 2): Advanced Microsoft 365 email security with additional investigation, threat hunting and response capabilities.
- Microsoft Meeting Rooms: Technology and licensing used to operate Microsoft Teams-enabled meeting rooms.
- Power Automate
- Power Automate Premium: Premium Power Automate licensing providing expanded automation capabilities and access to additional connectors and features.
- Power BI Premium: Enterprise analytics capacity for hosting, managing and distributing larger Power BI datasets and reports.
- Power BI Pro
Web Portals and Digital Services
- MOSH Website: The Mining Industry Occupational Safety and Health website promotes the adoption of leading practices that address mining health and safety risks, including dust, falls of ground, noise, and transport and machinery. It provides programme information, adoption guidance, news, events and resources supporting the industry's journey towards Zero Harm. The website is supported by Meropa.
- Minerals Council Website: The Minerals Council South Africa's main public website presents information about the organisation, its advocacy and policy work, South African mining, member services, industry programmes, economic insights, publications, news and events. The website is supported by Meropa.
- QR Code Generator: An online portal used to create and manage QR codes that can direct users to websites or other digital content. The service provides an account-based login for managing generated codes.
- LinkedIn Learning: Online learning platform providing professional, business, technology and creative training courses and learning paths.
- Mentimeter: Interactive presentation platform used for live polls, quizzes, Q&A, surveys and audience feedback.
- Zoom (Enterprise): Enterprise video communications platform used for online meetings, webinars, collaboration and virtual events.
Research, Analytics and Industry Platforms
- MOSH GIS System: A Geographic Information System being developed for the Minerals Council's MOSH programme to improve the management, tracking and reporting of adoption information across mines. Led by Kagisho Motseme in collaboration with the Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability (RIIS), the platform builds on an existing GIS framework and uses Esri ArcGIS technology to provide a centralised, web-based solution for managing data, improving information flows, enhancing stakeholder engagement and visually tracking MOSH adoption activities and progress across the mining industry.
- Esri / ArcGIS: Esri develops geographic information system technology. Its ArcGIS platform is used to create, manage, analyse, map and share location-based data, connecting information through geography to support visualisation, spatial analysis and data-driven decision-making.
- Plot the Mine: An EMI/EMC Dashboard developed and presented by Anica Fouche of ITC Services to provide access to measurement data collected from surface and underground mining operations. The Python-based solution displays large volumes of electromagnetic frequency and environmental measurement data through graphs and visualisations, making the results of the EMI/EMC testing programme available to the South African mining industry for reference and analysis.
- EViews: Econometric, statistical and forecasting software used to manage data, perform econometric and statistical analysis, generate forecasts and model simulations, and produce publication-quality graphs and tables.
Industry Reporting and Member Portals
- Health, Safety and Security Reports Portal: A centralised reporting and information portal that provides Minerals Council South Africa members with access to health, safety and security-related reports and information. The portal supports the monitoring and review of industry information, providing members with a consolidated environment for accessing relevant reports and supporting informed oversight of health, safety and security matters.
- Mining Industry Union, Retrenchment and Recruitment Database: A centralised industry data collection and reporting platform used by Minerals Council South Africa members to capture quarterly information relating to union representivity, retrenchments and recruitment at their operations. The information contributes to an aggregated view of these workforce-related statistics across the mining industry.
- CiiMS Security Incident Reporting System: A centralised security incident reporting and information management platform used by Minerals Council South Africa members to capture, classify and maintain security incident information across mining operations. The system standardises security incident reporting across participating members and provides information used to analyse incident categories, trends, hotspots, financial impacts, suspects and other security indicators, supporting industry-level security monitoring and reporting.
- Women in Mining Portal: A centralised information and reporting platform supporting Women in Mining initiatives. The portal brings together information across areas including internships, graduate development programmes, study assistance, remuneration, gender equity strategy, and GBV incidents, providing a consolidated view of information relevant to women in the mining industry.
Development and Test Environments
- Afrihost Web Server (Development and Test Environment): A Minerals Council web server hosted by Afrihost and used as a non-production environment for developing, testing and staging web projects. It hosts development projects, the Ecosystem site and the shelved Honey Comb project, allowing changes and proof-of-concept work to be tested before any production deployment.
- Honey Comb: A dormant project previously undertaken by R&A Strategic Communications.
Security, Connectivity and Infrastructure Tools
- FortiGate: Next-generation firewall platform providing network security, traffic control, VPN and threat protection.
- FortiClient: Endpoint security and connectivity software providing device protection and secure remote access.
- FortiAnalyzer: Security analytics and log-management platform used to collect, analyse and report on Fortinet security events.
- Fortinet Access Point: Managed wireless network access points providing secure Wi-Fi connectivity.
- Fortinet EMS Virtual Machine: Centralised FortiClient endpoint management environment used to manage security policies and connected endpoints.
- Gallagher: Physical access-control and security management platform used to manage access cards, users, access zones and security events.
- IBM Domino: Application and collaboration platform supporting legacy business applications, databases and messaging workloads.
- Mimecast: Cloud-based email and web security platform providing protection, continuity, archiving and security-awareness services.
- Cloudflare: Internet security and performance platform providing services such as DNS, traffic protection and web security.
- AvePoint: Microsoft 365 data protection and backup platform used to protect and recover cloud collaboration data.
- Vox Telecom Fiber Internet: Primary fibre internet connectivity supporting the organisation's network and online services.
- Vox Telecom Wireless Internet: Secondary wireless internet connectivity providing failover connectivity when the primary service is unavailable.
- TeamViewer: Remote support and remote-access software used by IT to securely assist users and access supported devices.
Creative and Document Tools
- Acrobat Pro: Adobe PDF solution used to create, edit, convert, sign and manage PDF documents.
- Adobe InDesign: Professional page-layout and publishing software used to create brochures, publications and other designed documents.
- Encodian: Microsoft 365 and Power Automate document-automation tools used to generate, convert and process documents within automated workflows.
