Southern African Mine Water Conference 2026

DOWNLOADS FOR REGISTERED DELEGATES

SILVER SPONSOR	GOLD EXHIBITOR SPONSOR

About The Conference

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM), in collaboration with the International Mine Water Association (IMWA), the Mine Water Division of the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA-MWD) and Mintek, warmly invites you to the Southern African Mine Water Conference 2026, a premier gathering where science, technology – and sustainability intersect.

Guided by the theme “Let’s Connect,” this conference is more than an event – it’s a movement to bridge disciplines, foster innovation – and build resilient solutions for mine water management. Attendees will explore a wide spectrum of topics, from the complexity of mine water geochemistry to the transformative power of AI-driven modelling and simulation.

Discover how mining-influenced water (MIW) can be repurposed through circularity and value recovery and gain insights into the latest advancements in water treatment technologies and microbial processes that are reshaping environmental stewardship.

Whether you are a researcher, engineer, policymaker, or industry practitioner, this is your chance to engage with cutting-edge developments, share your expertise – and help shape a more connected future for mine water innovation.

registration fees

 

Early SAIMM/SAGA/GSSA Member	7 000,00
Early IMWA/WISA Member	7 000,00
Early Non SAIMM/SAGA/GSSA Member	8 000,00
SAIMM/SAGA/GSSA Member	8 000,00
IMWA/WISA Member	8 000,00
Non SAIMM/SAGA/GSSA Member	8 500,00
Author Registration	4 500,00
Students	1 000,00
Retired Member	1 000,00
Regional Academics	4 500,00

Early bird valid until 5 August 2026

Registration closing date: 11 November 2026. Please note late registrations will incur a R500 administration fee for registrations received after the closing date.

Group Booking
Group discount: Book and pay for three delegate and the fourth delegate attends for free

Topics to be Covered

CONFERENCE TOPICS

Explore cutting-edge developments and share insights on:

• Mine water geochemistry
• Utilisation of mining-influenced water (MIW), circularity, and recovery of value products
• Modelling and simulation
• Artificial Intelligence applications
• Water treatment technologies
• Microbial processes in mine water systems

CALL FOR PAPERS/PRESENTATIONS

CALL FOR PAPERS/PRESENTATIONS

Prospective authors are invited to submit short abstracts of not more than 500 words. Abstracts should consist of 4 paragraphs describing the presentation’s significance, the methods used, the key results and their application as well as implications.

Authors of accepted abstracts will be required to submit a full paper for peer review and publication in the conference proceedings. A presentation only option will be considered.

 

Technical Visit

EMALAHLENI WATER RECLAMATION PLANT
TECHNICAL VISIT
06 NOVEMBER 2026

DOWNLOAD ANNOUNCEMENT

REGISTER HERE

Short Courses

Hydrogeological Tracer Techniques for Ground, Surface and Mine Water

15 November 2026

Full Day Short Course 08:00-16:30

Glenburn Lodge and Spa, Muldersdrift

Prof Dr Christian Wolkersdorfer
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)

Workshop Need

Tracer tests are one of the few methods that enable the direct investigation of flow paths, residence times, mixing processes, and hydraulic connectivity in mining-influenced water (MIW) systems. In practice, however, they are underused and are often applied incorrectly. Common shortcomings include selecting an unsuitable tracer, insufficient planning, an inadequate sampling design, missing mass balances, and unrealistic interpretations of results.

Mine water systems differ fundamentally from natural aquifers and rivers. They are engineered, poorly documented, density-stratified, chemically reactive, and subject to operational and legal constraints. Applying standard tracer concepts without adaptation can produce misleading results. This workshop addresses this issue by providing a coherent framework that incorporates practical experience, proven methodologies and documented failure cases, all of which are tailored to mine water conditions.

Target audience

The target audience includes mine water practitioners and consultants, regulators and authorities involved in permitting and mine closure, researchers and postgraduate students in hydrogeology and mining-related disciplines, and operators of mine water treatment and discharge systems. Participants are expected to have basic hydrogeological knowledge, but prior tracer experience is not required.

Workshop programme and facilitators

The one-day workshop combines focused lectures with case studies and discussion.

• Tracer principles for mine water (MIW) systems: conservative and reactive tracers, salts, dyes, isotopes and particles.
• Test design and planning: objectives, scale, tracer mass calculation, density and temperature effects, safety and legal aspects.
• Tracer tests in flooded underground mines: stratification, shafts, short-circuiting, and lessons learned.
• Applications in treatment and discharge systems: residence times and bypass detection.
• Sampling and evaluation: breakthrough curves, mass recovery and uncertainty.

Case studies and discussion

The workshop is led by Prof. Dr. habil. Christian Wolkersdorfer and includes additional case input from experienced colleagues from the International Mine Water Association (IMWA) network, subject to availability.

Expected outcomes and effect on the water sector

Participants will learn how to design, commission and critically evaluate tracer tests in mining contexts. For the water sector, this will lead to more consistent and defensible tracer method use, improved technical decision-making in remediation and mine closure, and reduced reliance on costly trial-and-error mine water management approaches.

Fees

Regular workshop	R 4 500
Student prices	R 2 000

 

REGISTER HERE

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