Dr James Aluha is a Chief Research Scientist at Mintek and a recognised expert in mining innovation, engineering, and occupational health technologies. He is actively involved in multidisciplinary research, with a strong focus on process and materials engineering, nanotechnology, and applied solutions for occupational health and safety in mining environments.
He holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from l’Université de Sherbrooke (Canada), where he utilised advanced radio-frequency induction plasma technology to design and synthesise novel catalyst formulations for industrial applications, including Fischer–Tropsch synthesis for synthetic fuel production. He also holds a Master of Science in Applied Chemistry (cum laude) and a Master of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, having been a Mintek bursar between 2001 and 2006.
With over 15 years of experience at Mintek, Dr Aluha’s research has evolved to address critical occupational health and safety challenges in the mining sector, including hazardous exposures, environmental pollution, and industrial process safety. His work integrates sensor technologies, environmental monitoring systems, and AI-enabled platforms to support real-time exposure assessment and predictive risk detection in high-risk mining environments.
He plays a key role in advancing technology-driven occupational health solutions, including innovations in monitoring air quality, heat stress, and other environmental hazards, as well as supporting systems for industrial wastewater management. His work ensures that engineering innovations are translated into practical, scalable, and deployable solutions that improve worker health and safety in mining operations.
Dr Aluha also contributes to capacity development and industry collaboration, strengthening the interface between research, innovation, and application. His leadership brings a deep engineering and technical innovation dimension in mining and occupational health to the DHAIOH Unit, ensuring that AI-driven interventions are scientifically robust, operationally relevant, and impactful in real-world mining settings.
Contact Details
Address:
Mintek, 200 Malibongwe Drive, Randburg, 2194
Tel office: 27117094313
Email: jamesa@mintek.co.za
https://www.wits.ac.za/dhaioh-unit/