WELCOME TO THE ERA OF DECENTRALISED, DISTRIBUTED AND ONSITE ENERGY GENERATION
MITOCHONDRIA EXPLORES A POST-MINING ECONOMY IN MADIBENG, NORTH WEST
Mitochondria has been in discussions with Bosch Africa exploring the possibility of developing Hydrogen Technologies for the South African market. As a result of advancement of these talks, Bosch invited Mitochondria to its Automotive Manufacturing Facility in Madibeng. The visit, facilitated by Willem Foord and Jean-Phillippe Marillet of Bosch Africa, sought to understand the opportunities that exist to create a post-mining economy in the North West region. Bosch, across its global operations, seeks to decarbonise its operations by 2030, and has already made significant strides to get up the curve. Bosch is a global leading developer of stack technology for Electrolysers, which utilises PGM iridium as a core component, providing a significant opportunity for minerals beneficiation in the North West. As Mitochondria continues to move towards developing its manufacturing capabilities in South Africa, starting with its 50kW Fuel Cell, this site visit sparked interest to explore how the eletrolyser can be used as a catalyst to drive sustainable development in the North West, in a time where mines are grappling with lower demand as well as the new challenges with illegal mining. Mitochondria is engaging with Bosch and the North West Development Corporation to shape the vision of a Platinum Valley Innovation Hub, focusing on skills development, resource-based minerals beneficiation, and the industrialisation of products for the Hydrogen Sector.
Mashudu Ramano, CEO & Founder of Mitochondria, said: “My journey with North West started in 1998, when we first sought to establish a program, called the Platinum Valley, to beneficiate the provinces PGMs. After an extensive study, we were advised to develop the Platinum Trust, and start a platinum jewellery program, where students were taught how to make jewellery using platinum. Today, this journey brings me back to the North West, to answer the challenge, ‘how do we industrialise using these abundant resources? The hydrogen components manufacturing industry is a R200billion industry globally, how do we use this opportunity to capture 10% of the industry?’’
Mitochondria is grateful to Bosch for availing their facilities and expertise as a learning exercise. Mitochondria looks forward to fruitful discussions to make this opportunity of a post-mining economy possible.
IDC HOSTS BILATERAL MEETING TO PROMOTE KNOWLEDGE SHARING PROGRAM BETWEEN KOREA AND SOUTH AFRICAN ENTITES IN THE GREEN HYDROGEN SECTOR
Hosted by Dr Rebecca Maserumele from the Hydrogen Program at the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), Mitochondria engaged in a bilateral meeting contributing towards a Knowledge Sharing Program on Hydrogen. This meeting is part of the efforts by the IDC Hydrogen Program to develop a foundation for economic cooperation between Korean and South African entities in the Green Hydrogen Sector.
Mitochondria, led by Mashudu Ramano and Jan van Der Merwe, provided valuable insights into South Africa’s evolving hydrogen economy, highlighting key initiatives led by private sector players—including ourselves and our technology partners—to strengthen the country’s hydrogen technology manufacturing capabilities. In attendance from Korea were a delegation from the research unit of the Korean Industry Association (KOTRA), and a group of researchers from Korea University and Kusan University led by Professor YoonHee Ha.
Mitochondria extends its gratitude to the IDC and the Korean delegation for the opportunity to participate in the Knowledge Sharing Program.
THE MITOCHONDRIA TEAM CONTINUES TO GAIN MOMENTUM
Mitochondria welcomes Lufuno Mphaphuli, accomplished Electrical Engineer, to the team as the Customer Growth Consultant. Lufuno will lead the Business Development arm of Mitochondria, securing offtake for Mitochondria’s 50kW Fuel Cell and the 125MW Electrolyser. Previously, he led the electrical engineering, procurement, construction, and management services that brought electricity to over 40,000 households across Limpopo Province, significantly improving energy access and strengthening community resilience.. This invaluable experience strengthens Mitochondria’s endeavors as it seeks to address the energy challenges face by South Africans and Africans alike through Hydrogen Technologies.
Mitochondria welcomes Neo Senyatsi to the Technical team. Neo is an experienced industrial engineer with over a decade experience specialising in industrialisation, process improvement, and facility enhancement. Neo holds a BEng (Hons) in Industrial Engineering from the University of Pretoria. Mitochondria will establish its world-class manufacturing and assembly plant in the Emfuleni Vaal Special Economic Zone. As we move closer to the deployment of Fuel Cells in the South African market, we welcome the addition of Neo to the team whose skillset will support the development of The Mitochondria Campus, where Mitochondria’s 50kW Fuel Cell and other Hydrogen-related technologies will be assembled.
MITOCHONDRIA ATTENDS THE VAAL STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT SESSION
Mitochondria participated in the Vaal Stakeholder Engagement Session, hosted by the Vaal SEZ Program Management Unit. During the session, community members received a status update on the three Special Economic Zones (SEZs)—Emfuleni, Midvaal, and Sedibeng. The PMU reported that the Emfuleni SEZ, where Mitochondria will be located, remains on track for bulk infrastructure development, with fencing completed by the end of 2024. Mitochondria eagerly anticipates these developments as they bring us closer to breaking ground on our Manufacturing Facility.
MITOCHONDRIA JOINS SOLYDERA, BOSCH, & OTHER PARTNERS IN THE HYDROGEN & FUEL CELLS SECTOR AT THE HANNOVER MESSE 2025
Mitochondria is looking forward to the Hannover Messe, the world’s leading trade fair for industrial technology, showcasing the latest innovations and trends in various industrial sectors, attracting professionals and experts from around the globe. Included in the fair is the Hydrogen & Fuel Cells exhibit, where over 300 companies from 23 countries will showcase their latest Hydrogen & Fuel Cell technologies. Jan van der Merwe, Jos Vazirgiantzikis and Lufuno Mphaphuli, by the invitation of Robert Bosch, will enjoy an exclusive tour of Bosch’s PEM electrolyser stack at the exhibition. During the week Mitochondria will also visit other partners in our Global Business Ecosystem including SolydEra, AVL Engineering, Enapter, Horiba and Heraeus to name a few.
ON THE RED CARPET: MITOCHONDRIA ATTENDS THE GAUTENG STATE OF THE PROVINCE ADDRESS
