( Virtual Showroom )The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy(SAIMM) will bring together experts in the minerals sector, at this year’s Hydrometallurgy Conference taking place from 1 – 3 September 2024 at Hazendal Wine Estate situated in Stellenbosch in the Western Cape. The conference with a theme of “Hydrometallurgy for the Future” aims to encourage thought provoking conversation on the world’s growing dependency on metals within the technological, digital and the green energy transition landscapes. Opinion leaders will be brought together to share their views on the greater environmental impact that may result from the exponential increase in the extraction of metals in order to meet future demands.

To address the imminent rise in the use of energy and water in the hydrometallurgical process, SAIMM’s Hydrometallurgy Conference will table topics such as circularity in hydrometallurgy, new developments in equipment and reagents, data analytics, machine learning and the use of AI in hydrometallurgy, among other areas. Keynote speakers who will lead in presenting on these topics include Professor Kerstin Maria Forsberg from Sweden, who possesses 20 years’ experience in research and education in separation processes. Professors Forsberg applies her knowledge in the development of  innovative technologies for the recovery of metals from resources such as spent batteries, magnetic waste, pickling acid, red mud and apatite.

The second keynote speaker for the Hydrometallurgy Conference is Associate Professor, Lilian Velásquez-Yévenes from Chile who has a Ph.D in Mineral Science. Velásquez-Yévenes also possesses broad research experience in the sustainable extraction of metals and was the winner of the 2021 ‘100 Inspiring Women in Mining’ presented by WIMM Chile. She continues to advance her studies in hydrometallurgical practices, investigating urban mining, including the extraction of valuable metals from e-waste.

Certain to be an insightful 2-day conference, SAIMM invites academics, hydrometallurgists and the minerals industry fraternity at large to register to attend the 2024 Hydrometallurgy Conference.