Ignatius De Wet

Thermitech specialises in aluminothermic mineral beneficiation process technology and has a pilot facility to conduct feasibility work on selected resources.

Co-Founder of ThermAl (Pty) Ltd., an aluminium powder project focused on the cost-effective production of high-grade fine aluminium powders from recycled aluminium. This project has successfully been piloted and commercially selling aluminium powder to various industries.

Co-Founded Geratech in 1998, a R&D collaboration with the Institute of Applied Materials at the University of Pretoria (UP) with a pilot facility at the Atomic Energy Corporation. MD of Geratech Zirconium Beneficiation LTD, later Geratech Investment Holdings. Consolidated the technology in a holding company post the pilot operations and successful feasibility study in 2013. Retained and managing a property portfolio for Geratech Investment Holdings.

Appointed as Geratech Project’s CEO in 2019 to develop aluminium powder and establish an aluminothermic process for metals, i.e., tin, cobalt and FeCr. Successfully oversaw the development of a cost-effective process and pilot plant for the production of cobalt, ferrochrome and tin from minerals such as cobalt carbonate derived Heterogenite, Chromite and cassiterite using a thermite process.

Established Geratech Energy (GE) in 2015 and was contracted as business development consultant on urban solar farms for SolarReserve (2016 -2019). SolarReserve is a US-based solar farm developer that successfully developed several projects under the REIPP program, e.g. 96Mw Jasper plant, 75Mw Lesedi, 75Mw Lesatsi, 20Mw Caladonia (Zimbabwe), etc. Responsible for the procurement, permutation and design of 5 urban solar farm sites. Lead role in a feasibility study on urban solar farms with the United States Trade Development Agency and Mott MacDonald. Lead role in signing and implementation of 23 solar installations at the 911 Netcare hospital group.

In the capacity Team Lead and a Director of Geratech, appointed in 2014 as lead consultant by Iluka Resources Australia to conduct a pre-feasibility study on zircon beneficiation. The project entailed consultation on: Basic flowsheets (Block diagrams) for zirconium downstream chemicals Recovery or yields. Critical raw materials and consumables. Mass balances. Energy requirement estimations. Labour requirements, with a high level breakdown of roles. Specifying key equipment. Product pricing and product quality basic specifications. Capex estimation and financial model.

1. In 2000, established a joint R&D program on Zirconium between Geratech and the Atomic Energy Corporation of South Africa (AEC now NECSA). The primary objective was to develop a cost-effective pilot production process for value-added downstream zirconium chemicals and oxides using local zircon mineral resources, a first in South Africa. 2. Became the Managing Director of Geratech Zirconium Beneficiation Ltd. (GZB) in 2000. 3. Was instrumental in raising R250 mil capital (nominal) for the zirconium beneficiation project. 4. Successfully established a 1000t/y pilot facility to demonstrate the technology developed. 5. Obtained market approvals for the zirconium products developed in growing sectors internationally included: Bayer, BASF, Exxon Mobil, WR-Grace, Summit Research Labs/Gillette, Tronox, Huntsman, Siemens Westinghouse and several others. Received the NAVCOC Chamber of Commerce Exporter of the Year (2004) award in the Innovation Technology category. 6. Overseen all required environmental approvals, including National Nuclear Regulator certificate of registration (COR-97) and quality certification (ISO9001:2000) to produce zirconium chemicals and oxides for the zirconium beneficiation pilot plant. 7. Successfully led and completed the bankable feasibility studies for a full scale (10Kt/y) commercial plant for zirconium chemicals and oxides with prospective commercial partners, including the IDC, Innovation Fund, Swed Fund, Chlor Alkali Holdings, Tronox, etc. (2011-2013). This included the detailed design of a full scale commercial plant and negotiations with EPCM’s. 8. Although the government-owned Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa (IDC) bought 30% of GZB, the IDC unfortunately decided to shelve the R1Bil commercialization plans in 2014, to rather invest in a new government-backed renewable energy independent power producers (REIPP) program, e.g. solar farms.

Appointed as Business Development Manager at Ferro SA (1995 – 1998). Launched the thermoplastic ceramic glass colour division. Responsible for the development and approval of products at Coca-Cola international, SAB, Consol Glass and Metal Box glass. This division remains one of the most profitable business units in Ferro.

Started my career at Cullinan Refractories in the R&D division as Materials Technologist (1992 – 1995), refractories engineering

"Tuks na 5" (Night classes). Main subjects were Financial management, Cost accounting & Marketing.

Masters thesis was in commercialization of technology

Studies in the field of materials science and engineering that focused on the design and production of inorganic, non-metalic materials such as technical, structural or advance ceramics, refractories, cement, glass and traditional ceramics. The field is interdisciplinary, drawing knowledge from chemistry, physics, material science, thermodynamics and mineralogy.