2ND BATTERY MATERIALS CONFERENCE 2024

	SILVER SPONSOR	SILVER SPONSOR

 

ABOUT

THE ARENA, EMNOTWENI CASINO, MBOMBELA,
MPUMALANGA

The intensified search over the past decade for alternatives to fossil fuels as sources of energy, has led to the development of a number of renewable energy technologies. A major issue with renewable energy sources is its intermittency which requires energy storage. This requirement has led to an exponential growth in the demand for batteries and research into battery technologies. The largest application by far has been in transportation, followed by the balancing of electrical distribution grids.

Of the raw materials required for battery manufacture, metals such as cobalt, manganese, vanadium and to a lesser extent nickel are concentrated in southern Africa. The supply of lithium, on the other hand, is mainly concentrated in Australia, Chile and Argentina with only Zimbabwe boasting significant resources in Africa.
These activities have created both opportunities and challenges. Opportunities such as new value chains for the associated raw materials, with several production companies with battery-material metals in their plant feedstocks undertaking research towards producing battery-grade products.

Challenges such as the means for recycling these batteries once they reach the end of their (first) life.

The aim of this conference is to provide the opportunity for thought leaders in the global battery value chain to exchange ideas on recent developments in the fields of:

• Materials and high-purity intermediates for battery components
  – Novel battery chemistries
• Flow-battery electrolytes
• Processes for the recycling of batteries
• Market outlook and legislative implications
  – New projects and entrepreneurship in the battery industry
• Related case studies.
  An even sharper focus can be provided by addressing the following questions and hypotheses:
• Will future battery developments and applications in southern Africa centre more around bulk energy storage by drawing on regional metal resources and addressing local bulk energy shortages?
• Will lithium-ion batteries continue to dominate most battery applications, with other battery technologies serving only niche applications?
• What (exactly) are the criteria and specifications for battery materials, intermediates and electrolytes required to achieve the envisaged performance and life of the batteries?
  – What impact will South Africa’s electrical supply issues have on the local motor manufacturing industry and the market for EVs?

 

CALL FOR PAPERS/ PRESENTATIONS

The Conference is being organised by the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, and individuals are invited to submit papers or presentations for the Conference. Titles and short abstracts (no more than 500 words) using the templates on the SAIMM website on any relevant subject should be submitted in English to:
Head of Conferencing, Camielah Jardine
Enquiries may be made at:
Tel: +27 011 538-0238
E-mail: camielah@saimm.co.za
website: www.saimm.co.za
Papers will be peer reviewed and published in a conference proceeding which will be available at the conference. Selected papers could be published in the SAIMM Journal, subject to the journal review process.

Registration Fees

Early bird registration valid until 7 May 2024.

Early SAIMM/SAGA/GSSA Member	R8 000
Early Non SAIMM/SAGA/GSSA Member	R8 200
SAIMM/SAGA/GSSA Member	R8 200
Non SAIMM/SAGA/GSSA Member	R9 500
Author Registration	R4 000
Students	R1 500
Regional Academics	R4 000
Retired Member	R1 500
Short Course: Ion Exchange Technology for the Purification of Battery Grade Metal Salts. Facilitated by M. Kotze, Independent Hydrometallurgical Consultant	R2 200

 

KEY DATES

1 March 2024- Submission of abstracts
3 April 2024- Acceptance of abstracts
4 May 2024- Submission of papers
6-7 August 2024- Conference

Programme

Download the programme...

Keynote speakers

Jaco Du Toit,
Director and Process Engineering Manager, MET63 (PTY) Ltd

Jaco, Director and Process Engineering Manager at MET63 (PTY) Ltd, is a distinguished engineer and leader with over 21 years of experience in the metallurgical industry. He holds a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering and boasts extensive expertise in hydro-and-pyrometallurgy, minerals processing, and process engineering. Jaco is a professionally registered engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa and a Fellow of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM). His broad technical knowledge encompasses the entire value chain, from academic and commercial R&D to plant production and engineering design, including commissioning. Throughout his career, Jaco has contributed to the development of numerous base metal refining and high-purity base metal salt projects. MET63 built Southern Africa's first Battery Grade Nickel Sulfate refinery and Jaco was instrumental in developing several pilot and demonstration plants for Manganese, Nickel, and Cobalt salts, as well as Vanadium and Chrome-based electrolytes. Renowned for his ability to inspire teams and deliver tailored solutions, Jaco is committed to optimizing resources and achieving outstanding results for clients.

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Full Name: Hongze Luo    
Company:  Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

Hongze Luo earned his PhD in Chemistry from the University of the Western Cape, where he received a merit award for his exceptional work. He is currently a Principal Researcher at the Energy Centre of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in South Africa and is dedicated to advancing South Africa's strategic interests in sustainable and innovative energy solutions.

Since joining the CSIR in 2008, Dr. Luo has significantly enhanced strategic R&D initiatives and expanded the development of intellectual property in energy materials. His research is pivotal in leveraging South Africa's abundant mineral resources to advance battery technology.

Dr. Luo's work has led to numerous publications and international patents. He is also an active member of various editorial boards and serves as a reviewer for prestigious scientific journals.

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Louis Nel,
Chief Executive Officer, Manganese Metal Company

Louis is a seasoned Chartered Accountant with nearly 25 years of experience at Manganese Metal Company (MMC). Over his distinguished career, he has held key roles across various departments, including Marketing, Business Development, Operations, and Senior Executive management. Louis brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table, having successfully navigated and contributed to multiple facets of the business. For the past 8 years, he has served as the CEO, where his strategic vision and leadership have been instrumental in driving the company's growth and operational excellence. Throughout his tenure, Louis has demonstrated a commitment to innovation, strategic development, and fostering strong business relationships, positioning MMC as a leader in the refined manganese market. His comprehensive understanding of the industry and ability to lead high-performing teams have been key to the company's success.

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Howard Head,
Senior Analyst, Project Blue

Howard began his journey at Project Blue in 2022 initially focusing on magnesium metal research and the mid to downstream lithium-ion battery supply chain. Since joining Project Blue, Howard's role has evolved significantly. As a Senior Analyst, he now conducts research on a range of commodities including magnesium, titanium, and lithium, while also leading Project Blue’s aerospace research. Before his role at Project Blue, Howard worked in the alluvial diamond industry in Namibia where he managed various drilling and sampling projects. Howard holds a PhD in sedimentology and stratigraphy from the University of Cape Town and has published numerous peer-reviewed articles related to his research on Jurassic deposits of southern Africa.

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Mikhail Nikomarov,
Chief Executive Officer, Bushveld Energy

Mikhail Nikomarov is an entrepreneur and African energy leader committed to resolve the continent’s electricity shortage. He co-founded Bushveld Energy to provide large scale energy storage solutions across the African continent. The company developed energy storage projects and localised manufacturing of the vanadium value chain in South Africa. Previously, Mikhail consulted on power plant operations, energy policy and sector strategy to electric power utilities and governments in Russia and across Africa. Mikhail also served as the Chairman of the South African Energy Storage Association (SAESA) and chaired the Energy Storage Committee for Vanitec, the global organisation of vanadium producers. He holds an MBA from INSEAD, a Diploma from the London School of Economics and two undergraduate degrees in History and Economics from the University of Massachusetts.

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Amilton Barbosa Botelho Junior,
Stanford University / University of Sao Paulo

Chemical Engineer (2015), MSc. degree from the Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo with an internship at The University of British Columbia (2018), and PhD in Chemical Engineering from the Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo with an internship at The University of Queensland (2021). Currently a postdoc at Stanford University in membrane application for critical metals separation, professor in graduate disciplines and advisor in the graduate program at University of Sao Paulo. Won the Best Thesis Award in Environmental Sustainability (2022) and Academic Productivity Award (2021) from University of Sao Paulo. Published 60 papers in scientific journals and editor in Metals, Processes, Minerals, and JOM journals. Secretary of the Recycling Committee at TMS and Organizing Committee of REWAS 2025. Research interest is in recovery of critical raw materials: recycling of Li-ion batteries, brine processing by membrane technologies, synthesis of greener materials, sustainable mining, urban mining, mining wastes, hydrometallurgy, and circular economy.

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Technical Visit

Manganese Metal Company and University of Limpopo Nelspuit Pilot Plant: Cathode Materials
Download brochure...
Register Here: https://events.mm3.co.za/Event/?Id=6fc03fce-fe65-4a71-a629-e4379ba9c1ff&eventId=29010#dvtop
Fees: R400

Short Course

Ion Exchange Technology for the Purification of Battery Grade Metal Salts
Facilitated by M. Kotze, Independent Hydrometallurgical Consultant

Registration Fee - R2 200

REGISTER HERE...

DOWNLOAD THE ANNOUNCEMENT...

*Please note this is a half-day short course

Sponsorship and Exhibition

Download the available sponsorship packages here...

Travel and Accommodation

Accommodation

Delegates can book accommodation in any of the two hotels on the property and quote the relevant codes below”

 Southern Sun Mbombela

• Free high-speed WiFi internet access per room, per day. Enjoy effortless access and great connectivity with a dedicated 500mb per day.
• Room facilities include telephone, tea & coffee making facilities, a TV and DVD player, hair dryer, air conditioning, room service, fully stocked mini bar and wakeup call facilities.

Booking Code: 1846214

StayEasy Mbombela

• Free high-speed WiFi internet access per room, per day. Enjoy effortless access and great connectivity with a dedicated 500mb per day.
• Room facilities include telephone, tea & coffee making facilities, a TV with DSTV, hair dryer, air conditioning and swimming pool.

Booking Code: 695211
Email: mbombela.reservations@southernsun.com
Tel: +27 13 757 3000

Travel:

Recommended Shuttle Services

CONTACT DETAILS

Phone : +27 (0)12 346 0899
Voip Phone : +27 (0)87 095 9915

WhatsAPP : +27 82 748 8853
Fax : +27 (0)866 611 707
Email : info@ezshuttle.co.za

Recommended Travel Agent

Lerato Mokoma
Travel Consultant
Tel: 011 622 3840  
lerato@dynamictravel.co.za
www.dynamictravel.co.za

contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Camielah Jardine: Head of Conferencing
E-mail: camielah@saimm.co.za
Tel: +27 11 538-0237