SAIMM PYROMETALLURGY INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2026

Pyrometallurgy in SA Under Pressure – What Next?

Dr Quinn Reynolds
Technical Specialist
Mintek

Quinn is 48 years old and holds degrees in Engineering and Applied Mathematics. He has worked in the Pyrometallurgy Division at Mintek for over 25 years. Mintek is a state-owned research institute serving the extensive mineral and metallurgical processing sector in South Africa. Quinn is also an extraordinary professor in the department of Chemical Engineering at Stellenbosch University. His expertise includes mathematical and computational modelling of complex coupled phenomena in high temperature processes, and in particular the application of highperformance computing and open source software platforms to pyrometallurgy. His current areas of research include magnetohydrodynamic modelling of electric arcs, multiphysics fluid flow problems in furnace tapping and phase separation, combustion modelling for metallurgical processing, and reduced order modelling for digital twin applications.

Chris Hattingh
Executive Director
Centre For Risk Analysis (CRA)

With a special focus on trade, investment, and economic matters, as well as foreign policy, Chris serves on the Executive Board of the Global Trade and Innovation Policy Alliance, sits on the advisory council of the Initiative for African Trade and Prosperity and holds the position of Senior Fellow at African Liberty. Chris holds an MPhil (Business Ethics) degree from Stellenbosch University. In his role at the CRA, Chris leads strategic engagements and briefings to clients across South Africa, as well as globally.

Dr Johan Zietsman
CEO
Ex-Mente

Johan is an experienced metallurgical engineer, skilled in pyrometallurgy, thermochemistry, computational modelling and consulting in a wide range of commodities such as iron and steel, high-titania slag, ferrochrome, ferromanganese and platinum group metals. Through his software engineering skills and experience, he contributes to system design and implementation solutions for clients. Johan leads the Ex Mente team and supervises a number of postgraduate students at the University of Pretoria.

Wynand Steyn
Dean of the Faculty of Engineering
University of Pretoria

Prof Wynand Steyn is Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology at the University of Pretoria. He is a professionally registered civil engineer with a research interest in pavement engineering and materials, vehicle-pavement interaction, accelerated pavement testing, Civiltronics and instrumentation. He completed his undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. He authored, co-authored and edited 62 journal papers, 23 book chapters (author/co-author/editor) and 118 conference papers. He is an Associate Editor of the International Journal for Pavement Engineering and has a B2 National Research Foundation (NRF) rating. He is a Fellow of the South African Institution of Civil Engineers and a fellow of the South African Academy of Engineering (SAAE).

Dr Muxing Guo
Senior Research Expert
KU Leuven

Dr. Muxing Guo is a Senior Research Expert in the Department of Materials Engineering at KU Leuven, Belgium. With more than 40 years of experience, he has devoted his career to scientific research, teaching, and industrial applications in the field of materials science and metallurgy. His work spans both fundamental and applied research on the processing of ferrous and non-ferrous materials, as well as primary and secondary raw materials. Dr. Guo has coordinated and participated in numerous national and international research projects. His expertise lies in sustainable metallurgy, with a particular focus on high-temperature processing, thermodynamics and thermophysical properties of metallurgical melts, recycling and metal extraction from secondary resources, clean metal production, and the valorization of metallurgical residues. He also has extensive experience in the development of high-temperature experimental facilities and in leading industry-oriented metallurgical research projects.

Rodney Jones
Consulting Pyrometallurgist
Pyro Consulting

Rodney Jones is a consulting chemical engineer and metallurgist with more than 40 years of pyrometallurgical experience in a wide variety of processes that have been taken from concept to industrial implementation. Rodney is a Past President and an Honorary Life Fellow of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM). Rodney was employed for thirty seven years in the Pyrometallurgy Division at Mintek - where he worked as a Senior Technical Specialist. For the past six years, he has worked as an independent Consulting Pyrometallurgist. Rodney holds a BSc(Eng) degree in chemical engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg, a BA degree in logic and philosophy from the University of South Africa, and MSc(Eng) and PhD degrees in metallurgical engineering from Wits University.

Henk Bouwer
Executive Technology Development
African Rainbow Minerals

40 years of experience in the ferroalloy industry. Produced most ferroalloys which include: Ferrochrome, Medium Carbon Ferrochrome, Ferromanganese, Medium Carbon Ferromanganese, Silicomanganese and Ferrosilicon. Became the General Manager of a ferroalloy smelter. Currently the Executive Technology Development at African Rainbow Minerals. Led the development of the ground-breaking SmeltDirect smelting technology.

In-Ho Jung
Professor
Seoul National University

Professor Jung is a world-renowned expert in chemical metallurgy and thermodynamic database development. He earned his bachelor and master’s degree from POSTECH, South Korea and PhD degree from Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal, Canada in 2003, and is a professor in Seoul National University. He is a co-developer of FactSage thermodynamic software, which is accessed by more than 1000 sites around the world, and academic member of FIRE (Federation of International Refractory Research and Education). Since 2009, Prof. Jung has led the “FactSage Steelmaking Consortium Project” to develop thermodynamic databases and process simulation models for steelmaking industry, sponsored by 14 companies around the world. He has authored and co-authored 10 book chapters, and more than 300 journal papers. Prof. Jung received various awards including 2012 NSERC Leo Derikx Synergy Award, Canada, and 2013 Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht Magnesium Research Award, Germany. He is also a recipient of 2022 AIST John F Elliott Lectureship award, and 2025 TMS Sadoway Materials Innovation and Advocacy Award.

Merete Tangstad
Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Prof. Merete Tangstad took her MSc and PhD at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and has since 2004 been a professor at the same university. Previously she worked at Elkem and Eramet mainly focusing on Mn-ferroalloy production. Her main areas are silicon- and ferroalloy- production in Submerged Arc Furnaces ranging from raw materials, furnace operation and tapping. She has been co-authoring 7 books and has been the main supervisor of 35 PhD candidates.

Joalet Dalene Steenkamp
Vale Base Metals

I am passionate about pyrometallurgy with nearly 30 years’ experience in metals production. My main technical interests are furnace containment and decarbonization of metals production. I also enjoy empowering others in the field through formal and informal learning experiences. What sets me apart is my unique blend of production background and research expertise. I thrive on the synergy between theory and practice, consistently bridging the gap between fundamental principles and real-world applications. I have a successful track record of facilitating such across commodities, countries, and continents.

Jan Erik Olsen
Research Manager
SINTEF

Jan Erik Olsen has a MSc in physics and PhD in mechanical engineering from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. He has worked for 23 years in SINTEF which is an independent research foundation. For the last 6 years he has been research manager for the flow technology group. His research focuses on applied CFD with special focus on bubbly flow and metallurgical phenomena. In recent years furnace tapping has been one of the focus areas of his research.

Annelies Malfliet
Research expert
KU Leuven

Dr. Annelies Malfliet is a materials engineer specializing in pyrometallurgy, slag engineering, and vessel integrity in high temperature metallurgical processes. She is a member of the Department of Materials Engineering at KU Leuven, where she works within the research group on High Temperature Processes and Industrial Ecology. Her expertise extends to microscopical characterization techniques, supporting detailed analysis of slag–refractory interactions and high temperature material behaviour. Dr. Malfliet plays a leading role in the development of sustainable metallurgical technologies through KU Leuven’s SIM² Institute for Sustainable Metals and Minerals, where she contributes to research on environmentally responsible metal production and recycling, supporting circular economy transitions. Her publication record spans over 100 scientific outputs, ranging from refractory degradation mechanisms in non ferrous smelting to slag engineering, freeze lining formation, and metallurgical ecosystem sustainability. Across her career, she has collaborated extensively with industry and academic partners, focusing on improving furnace longevity, understanding high temperature phase transformations, and advancing sustainable materials processing. Her research forms a critical bridge between fundamental high temperature thermodynamics and practical industrial metallurgy.

Stephan Christiaan Louw
Process Manager
Metix, SMS Group

Stephan is a qualified metallurgical process engineer with 16 years of experience in pyrometallurgical production process management and process design. He started his career in pyrometallurgy at Samancor Chrome, where he gained valuable experience on ferrochrome smelting in DC arc furnaces. He has been employed by Metix, SMS group since 2015, where he has been involved with various projects, spanning over a wide commodity range. With a great passion for the design, modelling, and optimization of metallurgical processes and electric smelting furnaces, he is currently employed as the Process Manager at Metix, focusing on the development of new processes and furnace designs that will assist in making the circular economy and decarbonization of commodities a reality.

Dr Stefan Swanepoel
Group Innovation & Strategy Manager
Samancor Chrome

Stefan holds an MBA from the University of the Witwatersrand and a PhD from the University of Pretoria. He has nearly two decades of experience in the ferrochrome industry, working across both pre-reduction and pre-oxidative sintering technologies, as well as submerged-arc and DC-arc furnace operations. Since joining Samancor Chrome in 2014, he has played a key role in techno-economic modelling to support major acquisitions and in the technical integration of new operations into the Samancor portfolio. Stefan currently serves as Group Innovation and Strategy Manager, where he guides and supports Samancor's smelting business units in addressing operational and technological challenges.

Rodney Hundermark
Head of Smelting Technology
Valterra Platinum

Rodney has extensive experience within the pyrometallurgical industry, having worked on the Anglo American Platinum, Anglo American and now Valterra Platinum smelting operations since 1999. He has held various operational roles up to 2006, and thereafter several process engineering roles, and now currently holds the role of Head of Smelting Technology. His expertise is mostly focused on the Platinum Group Metals (PGM) smelting industry within Southern Africa, however, also extends to nickel laterite and sulphide copper smelting. He has in-depth technical knowledge and operational management experience on electric furnaces, flash furnaces and matte converting operations, and the associated unit operations. He has considerable project experience from concept stage through to execution, and subsequent ramp-up and optimization.

Tapped In – The Future of Sustainable Furnace Tapping

Dr Lloyd Robert Nelson
Director
Pyro One (Pty) Ltd

Professional Qualifications and Memberships:

• Over 40 years' experience in applied research and technology development, operations, and consulting in the metallurgical industry
• Registered Professional Engineer (ECSA) since 1988
• B.Sc. and M.Sc. Metallurgical Engineering degrees from the University of the Witwatersrand
• Ph.D. in Metallurgical Engineering, University of Missouri-Rolla (now Missouri University of Science and Technology)
• Fellow of Southern African Institute of Mining & Metallurgy (SAIMM), Member of Association for Iron and Steel Technology (AIST) and Member of The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS)

Professional Work Experience:

• Independent Consultant, Director Pyro One (Pty) Ltd, based in South Africa (since 2022)
• Head of Smelting and Refining Technology, Anglo American Platinum Ltd + Lead Pyrometallurgy, Technical & Sustainability, Anglo American (2007–2022)
• Practice Leader, Pyrometallurgy – Africa, Hatch (2001–2007)
• Technology Manager, Chrome, Samancor Chrome (2001)
• West Plant/NST JV Plant Manager, Tubatse Ferrochrome (1998–2001)
• Billiton/Gencor Process Research, Manager, Chromium R&D Department (1994–1998)
• Doctoral Candidate, Graduate Teaching & Research Assistant, US Bureau of Mines Generic Mineral Technology Center for Pyrometallurgy, Univ. of Missouri-Rolla (1991–1994)
• Senior Engineer, Pyrometallurgy Division, Mintek (1985–1991)

Quo Vadis, Refractories?

Dennis Montaque Brazier
Managing Director
Refractory and Metallurgical Solutions (Pty) Ltd

Dennis Montaque Brazier is a seasoned metallurgical leader and entrepreneur with more than 30 years of international experience across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Trained as an extractive metallurgist, he has held senior operational and executive roles in copper, zinc and refractory industries, combining deep technical expertise with commercial and strategic leadership.

He began his career at Mintek, contributing to pioneering plasma smelting technologies, before moving into production and leadership roles at Palabora Mining Company under Rio Tinto. Rising to General Manager Copper Processing, Dennis led a division of 800 staff, driving record production, executing major shutdowns, and enhancing profitability, safety, and customer value. His commercial expertise was sharpened as Marketing Manager, where he secured favourable concentrate contracts and strengthened customer relationships.

Internationally, Dennis served as Managing Director of Union Copper Rod in Abu Dhabi, where he successfully commissioned the largest copper rod mill in the Middle East and established long-term supply agreements across the Gulf and Asia. Returning to South Africa, he guided Vereeniging Refractories through restructuring as COO and CEO, implementing efficiency programs, safety improvements, and technical-driven marketing strategies.

In 2012, Dennis co-founded and became Managing Director of Refractory and Metallurgical Solutions (RMS). He has also consulted extensively for companies such as Glencore, Palabora Copper, Union Copper Rod and SPMP Oman, advising on smelting, refractory performance, and operational optimisation.

A Fellow of the Southern African Institute for Mining and Metallurgy, Dennis has complemented his technical foundation with executive training at Duke University and UNISA. Known for his integrity and collaborative leadership style, he is passionate about mentoring young professionals and building high-performing, multicultural teams.

Date: 25 May 2026
Venue: CSIR International Convention Centre

The “Future of Pyrometallurgy in South Africa” (PyroFuZA) workshop on 25 May 2026, is scheduled as part of the SAIMM Pyrometallurgy International Conference 2026. 

The South African metallurgical industry is facing significant obstacles: Rising production costs, the closure of key service providers like refractory suppliers, and increasing pressure globally for the industry to transform. 

This full-day workshop will bring together senior representatives from industry, government, and academia to objectively assess the current state and future prospects of the pyrometallurgical industry in South Africa.

The workshop will focus on key questions such as defining success for the industry in the current economic climate, requirements for long-term sustainability, and identifying major actions for the next 20 years. It will be facilitated by an experienced industry expert and limited to 30-40 high-profile participants to foster open dialogue.

WORKSHOP 2:
Advanced refractory materials and their role in furnace integrity and furnace containment

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Registration Fess

Member - R4 200
Non-Member -R5 000
Student - R850

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