Background
The mining sector in Zambia, while pivotal to economic development, is facing increasing scrutiny due to the growing challenges associated with mine waste management. Recent incidents such as the contamination of the Mwambashi River in Kitwe and accidents among small-scale miners in abandoned dumpsites underscore the urgency for improved strategies. Communities continue to suffer due to mine-related surface and groundwater resources contamination as well as land degradation.
To address these challenges, the University of Zambia (UNZA) and the Copperbelt University (CBU) are collaboratively organising an international conference aimed at fostering practical, research-driven solutions for sustainable mine waste management.
Conference Objectives:
a. To review and assess the global trends and challenges in mine waste management and their implications for sustainable mining practices.
b. To share case studies and best practices addressing the environmental, technical and social dimensions of mine waste.
c. To share and discuss innovative research and technologies in mine waste management.
d. To review multi-sector collaboration for advancing responsible mine closure and post-mining land use planning.
Broad Themes of the Conference
1. Regulatory and Ethical Considerations
What’s at stake?
Weak regulation or poor compliance can lead to environmental disasters, legal battles, and loss of public trust.
Why attend?
Contribute policy analysis, legal insights, or regulatory case studies that support safer and more transparent mine waste management, with a focus on.
i. Policy, Legal Frameworks and Compliance
ii. Engineering Ethics in Tailings Management
2. Environmental and Social Impact
What’s at stake?
The lasting legacy of mine waste threatens ecosystems, water bodies, community health and livelihoods, and public trust.
Why attend?
Share how your work shapes operational excellence and strengthens community resilience in the face of mine waste challenges, with a focus on:
i. Environmental Impacts of Mine Waste
ii. Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
iii. Health, Safety, Risk Management and Emergency Preparedness
3. Remediation, Rehabilitation and Sustainability
What’s at stake?
Poorly rehabilitated sites are a liability to the communities, while ignoring the value in mine waste contributes to resource inefficiency and environmental degradation.
Why attend?
Present work and scalable models that turn degraded mine sites into ecological and social assets with a focus on:
i. Remediation and Rehabilitation of Mine Waste Sites
ii. Sustainable Tailings Management Practices and Operations
iii. Circular Economy in Mine Waste Management
4. Emerging Technologies and Engineering Aspects
What’s at stake?
Inconsistent practices lead to increased risk, inefficiency, and reputational damage, while technological inertia can expose the industry to preventable failures.
Why attend?
Showcase practical methods and innovations that define excellence and ensure safety, efficiency, and resilience in mine waste infrastructure, with a focus on:
i. Site Investigation, Engineering Design and Construction
ii. Best Practices in Mine Waste Management
iii. Emerging Technologies in Mine Waste Management.
