Article: A review of the negative impact of adopting fourth industrial revolution technology in South Africa's mining industry Journal: International Journal of Mining and Mineral Engineering (IJMME) 2026 Vol.17 No.5 pp.1 - 28 Abstract: The benefits of fourth industrial revolution (4IR) technologies in mining, such as improved productivity, safety, and operational efficiency, are well documented. However, there remains a limited and fragmented understanding of their negative socio-economic, ethical, regulatory, and security implications, particularly in developing-country contexts such as South Africa. This study addresses this gap by systematically examining empirically observed risks and constraints associated with 4IR adoption in the South African mining sector, distinguishing these from speculative or assumed impacts. The study uses a qualitative narrative review methodology to synthesises evidence from peer-reviewed academic studies, as well as authoritative industry and policy reports. The findings show that 4IR adoption is constrained not only by high capital costs, skills shortages, and regulatory uncertainty, but also by behavioural and cultural resistance. The study concludes that 4IR adoption in mining risks exacerbating inequality and undermining long-term socio-economic sustainability if there are no proactive governance measures. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: A review of the negative impact of adopting fourth industrial revolution technology in South Africa's mining industry

Authors: T. Tingini; J. Githiria

Addresses: School of Mining Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa ' School of Mining Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa

Abstract: The benefits of fourth industrial revolution (4IR) technologies in mining, such as improved productivity, safety, and operational efficiency, are well documented. However, there remains a limited and fragmented understanding of their negative socio-economic, ethical, regulatory, and security implications, particularly in developing-country contexts such as South Africa. This study addresses this gap by systematically examining empirically observed risks and constraints associated with 4IR adoption in the South African mining sector, distinguishing these from speculative or assumed impacts. The study uses a qualitative narrative review methodology to synthesises evidence from peer-reviewed academic studies, as well as authoritative industry and policy reports. The findings show that 4IR adoption is constrained not only by high capital costs, skills shortages, and regulatory uncertainty, but also by behavioural and cultural resistance. The study concludes that 4IR adoption in mining risks exacerbating inequality and undermining long-term socio-economic sustainability if there are no proactive governance measures.

Keywords: mining; fourth industrial revolution; 4IR; automation; cybersecurity; job displacement; socio-economic impacts; South Africa.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMME.2026.154737

International Journal of Mining and Mineral Engineering, 2026 Vol.17 No.5, pp.1 - 28

Received: 04 Sep 2025
Accepted: 14 Feb 2026
Published online: 12 Jul 2026 *

Title: A review of the negative impact of adopting fourth industrial revolution technology in South Africa's mining industry

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