TAILINGS 2026 CONFERENCE
Background
The SAIMM is proud to announce its upcoming 2026 conference on Tailings. Since the inaugural event, which raised the profile of tailings management and fostered collaboration among industry stakeholders, and the subsequent conference that focused on embracing the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM), the field has seen significant progress. We’ve deepened our understanding of GISTM requirements, advanced geotechnical knowledge of tailings dams, engaged more stakeholders, and made strides toward improved safety through GISTM compliance.
However, despite these achievements, tailings dam failures persist, signalling that there is still much work to be done and lessons to learn. As we look to the future, the 2026 conference will ask: Where to now? In a world of new standards, evolving expectations, and emerging possibilities, what opportunities lie ahead? What residual risks need addressing? How can we further reduce, reclaim, or reuse tailings? How can we accelerate the adoption of new technologies and set a new benchmark for the industry? What impacts, once considered acceptable, are no longer tolerable, and how can we best manage them?
Join us in 2026 to explore these critical questions and engage in meaningful discussions with key role players in the tailings industry.
Submit an Abstract
Abstract submissions are now open!
The Tailings Conference Organising Committee is inviting you to submit an abstract for presentation at the Tailings 2026 – Where to Now? conference.
Why submit an abstract?
- Strengthen your professional reputation.
- Showcase your organisation’s achievements and accomplishments.
- Offer the industry valuable insights, case studies, and expertise.
- Inform stakeholders, including colleagues and researchers, about your accomplishments and progress.
- Create new opportunities for collaboration to benefit the industry.
Submission process
Abstracts will be subject to peer review, the committee will decide whether to accept or decline the submissions. Relevance to the conference theme, accuracy and uniqueness of ideas, contribution significance, and presentation quality are among the selection factors. Download abstract submission template
Authors will be notified in writing of the acceptance of their abstract. Once accepted the author can submit a full paper for review. Download paper guidelines
Please note
- All accepted abstracts will be published in the conference proceedings and presented during technical sessions.
- All presenting authors are required to register and pay for conference attendance prior to publication in the conference proceedings.
Key Dates
- Abstract submission deadline 31 July 2025
- Paper submission deadline 14 October 2025
- Conference 3-4 March 2026
- Technical visit 5 March 2025
Topics to be Covered
- New SANS tailings 10286 standard- issue for 2026
- Sustainability and ESG
- Future of Tails
- Closures and Rehabilitation
- Monitoring strategies and AI.
- Real time monitoring
- Risks associated with upstream dams and mitigation
- New Technologies
- Implementation of the GISTM and compliancewhere are we now?
- I ntroduction of the Global Tailings Management Institute
- Deep dive into reasons for tailings dam failures and learnings
- Historic and ownerless tailings (legal perspective)
- Legislation and tailings compliance (Junior Miners)
- Risk management and processes for TSFs
- The role of the regulatory authority - SANS 10286
- Stakeholder engagement and affected communities
- An integrated knowledge base created through case studies and learnings
- Design, construction and operation of TSFs
- Management, governance, and reporting of TSFs
- Emergency response and long-term recovery
- Public disclosure and access to information
- Environmental impacts
- Modelling and simulation
- Dry Stacking - developments
- Research and the possibility of mining with no tailings
- Remining of legacy TSFs
- Networking and advancing Southern African expertise
- Case studies.
Who Should Attend
- Industry professionals
- Academics and researchers
- Environmental Scientists
- Hydrologists
- Mineral Processing Engineers
- Civil Engineers
- Metallurgists
- Mine Management
- Stakeholders
- Community leaders
- State officials
- Union officials
- Consultants
- Technology developers and suppliers.
Registration Fees
Early bird registration valid until 3 December 2025
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Early SAIMM/SAGA/GSSA Member |
R9 800 |
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Early Non SAIMM/SAGA/GSSA Member |
R10 200 |
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SAIMM/SAGA/GSSA Member |
R10 200 |
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Non SAIMM/SAGA/GSSA Member |
R11 500 |
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Author Registration |
R6 500 |
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Students |
R2 000 |
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Regional Academics |
R6 500 |
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Retired Member |
R2 000 |
Kindly note, registration closes on 26 February 2026. Please note late registrations will incur a R500 administration fee for registrations received after the closing date.
All prices quoted are exclusive of VAT
Keynote Speakers
Johan Boshoff
VP Global Tailings Management
Gold Fields Ltd
Johan Boshoff has been involved in geotechnical engineering aspects of mine waste projects for the past 30 years. His expertise includes detailed design, monitoring and project management of tailings storage facilities, mine residue stockpiles and waste disposal facilities. In the past, he has also fulfilled the role of Engineer of Record for major mining clients on key assets.
He has worked on projects in South Africa, West and Central Africa, Australasia, Asia, Latin America, and North America.
Johan is also the primary and supporting author of numerous publications, conference papers, and work papers dealing with tailings disposal aspects and mine waste.
In his current role as the VP of Global Tailings Management, he is the discipline leader and subject matter expert for all company-owned and operated TSFs. He also supports the implementation of leading industry practices for effective and sustainable design, construction, operation, and closure of TSFs across all Gold Fields operations. He also supports and advises on ICMM and other standards and guidelines implementation.
Johan is involved with various industry collaborations and currently chairs the Technical Committee for the GeoStable Tailings Consortium.
Jacqui Hex
Board Member / Director
Global Tailings Management Institute (GTMI)
Jacqui Hex is a Director on the Board of the Global Tailings Management Institute (GTMI) and a Director and Technical Leader with 20 years’ experience in environmental management, governance, and integrated project delivery across the mining, energy, and industrial sectors.
As an environmental scientist, Jacqui is guided by professional integrity, a commitment to sustainable outcomes, and the view that informed, shared knowledge underpins sound decision-making. Serving on the GTMI Board reflects her focus on supporting industry beyond compliance through evidence-based decision-making, transparent governance, and responsible tailings management. Through this role, she contributes to the advancement of global best practice, with particular emphasis on strengthening trust between industry, regulators, and communities, and reinforcing shared accountability for long-term environmental and social outcomes.
She holds a BSc in Natural and Environmental Sciences, BSc Honours, and an MSc in Environmental Management (cum laude). Jacqui joined Jones & Wagener in 2011 and has progressed through senior technical and leadership roles to Technical Director and Head of the Environmental Management team. In this role, she leads multidisciplinary teams of environmental scientists, engineers, and specialists, delivering pragmatic, cradle-to-grave solutions on complex greenfields and brownfields projects.
Her professional focus lies in the integration of environmental, engineering, and regulatory requirements to support responsible resource development. She has extensive experience coordinating large technical teams to address environmental risk, compliance, and long-term operational sustainability. Jacqui also oversees the Health and Safety portfolio at Jones & Wagener, reinforcing a strong safety culture and organisational accountability.
Jacqui serves as a Director on the Board of Jones & Wagener International Limited. She is also the Vice-Chairperson of the Environmental Assessment Practitioners Association of South Africa (EAPASA) Board, where she chairs the Quality and Standards and Public Relations portfolios, and serves on the Governance and Registrations Committees.
She is a registered professional with SACNASP and EAPASA, a published author, and an active contributor to local and international professional forums.
Dr Emma Gagen
Director Data and Research
ICMM
Emma is the Director of Data & Research at ICMM, overseeing key initiatives in materials stewardship, tailings management, and global data. She joined ICMM in 2022, leading the mine closure and water work programs before serving as acting Director of the Environment portfolio. Her background bridges technical expertise and policy, including a decade as an environmental microbiologist focusing on biogeochemical processes before government experience gained as a lead technical advisor for the Queensland Mine Rehabilitation Commissioner.
Prof SW Jacobsz
Professor of Geotechnical Engineering
University of Pretoria
Prof Jacobsz obtained his BEng (Cum Laude) and MEng (Cum Laude) degrees from the University of Pretoria and completed a PhD in Geotechnical Engineering at the University of Cambridge. He gained industry experience as a geotechnical engineer at Jones & Wagener Consulting Civil Engineers before and after his PhD. In 2010 he joined the University of Pretoria, where he established a geotechnical centrifuge laboratory in 2012 with funding from the National Research Foundation and the University.
His research focuses on physical modelling of tailings dam stability and the application of unsaturated soil mechanics. He has led multiple monitoring projects investigating pore pressure and stress regimes in gold, platinum and iron tailings dams, as well as expansive clay profiles.
In 2023 he established a mobile soils laboratory funded by Anglo American and was appointed by the Department of Water and Sanitation to lead the geotechnical investigation into the Jagersfontein Tailings Dam failure. He received the SAICE Geotechnical Medal in 2023 and is an NRF-rated researcher.
Contact
For further information contact:
Gugu Charlie, Conference and Events Co-ordinator
E-mail: gugu@saimm.co.za | Tel: +27 11 538-0238 | Web: www.saimm.co.za
programme
Technical Visits
Ntshoveli Colliery Technical Visit
Cost: R600 (includes refreshments and light lunch)
Click here to view more information about the visit
Tailings Elikhulu TSF Complex Technical Visit
Date: Thursday, 5 March 2026
Venue: Evander Gold Mines, Evander, Mpumalanga (Click here for direction)
Cost: R600 (includes transport and refreshments)
Click here to view more information about the visit
Karrerand Tailings Storage Facility Technical Visit
Date: Thursday, 5 March 2026
Venue: Address of the site: Kareerand TSF is situated South East of Stilfontein Town about 1.9 km East of Khuma Township
Cost: R600 (Includes refreshments and return transport)
Number of people that can be accommodated for the visit – 25
Click here to view more information about the visit
NB: Delegates to Please see form attached, fill in and sent at least 48hrs before the visit Please fill in the first three pages
accommodation
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