Mintek-SCi 2026: Emerging Researchers Set to Explore the Future of the Minerals Industry
The 3rd annual Mintek SCi Symposium will take place on 2 October 2026 at Mintek, bringing together emerging researchers from Mintek, academia, industry and research institutions for a programme that promises engaging discussion on some of the key issues shaping the future of the minerals industry.
The quality of papers submitted to this year's symposium reflects the depth and diversity of research taking place across the sector. With contributions spanning Critical Minerals, Energy, Emerging Technologies, and Sustainability and Circular Economy, Mintek SCi 2026 will provide a platform for young researchers to share innovative research and explore practical responses to some of the industry's most pressing challenges.
Critical minerals in focus
A major focus of the symposium will be Critical Minerals, with papers exploring sustainable extraction techniques, processing and beneficiation innovations, extraction from low grade ores and recovery from secondary resources.
The programme promises a range of engaging perspectives, including research into rare earth element occurrence and mineralogical characterisation, precious metal recovery from mine waste, mineral collector interactions in UG2 ore flotation, and the use of biobased depressants in PGM processing.
These topics highlight the importance of developing new approaches to extracting and processing minerals, while improving recovery and creating greater value from both primary and secondary resources.
Energy and innovation
The Energy theme will explore the increasingly important relationship between energy and mineral processing. Topics include renewable energy applications in mining and processing, fuel cell technologies, energy storage, hydrogen technologies and energy efficiency in processes such as milling and pyrometallurgy.
The discussions promise to examine how emerging technologies can contribute to more efficient and sustainable mineral processing operations.
Technology transforming mining
The Emerging Technologies theme will bring another dimension to the programme, with research covering artificial intelligence and machine learning, process modelling and simulation, advanced process control, digital twins, smart operations, extraction technologies and advanced materials development.
Among the research topics are deep offline reinforcement learning for lead flotation circuit optimisation and the development of an intelligent self healing LoRa mesh communication network for real time underground mine safety and emergency response.
These studies demonstrate the increasingly important role of digital technologies in addressing complex challenges across mining and mineral processing.
Sustainability and the circular economy
The Sustainability and Circular Economy theme will examine areas including water treatment and management, mine rehabilitation and closure, asbestos rehabilitation, sustainable water use, carbon emissions reduction and decarbonisation.
Research into the evaluation of antimony in mine tailings and the extraction of calcium and magnesium from concrete waste for mineral carbonation further demonstrates the potential for innovative approaches to turn waste streams into sources of value.
A platform for the next generation
Mintek SCi is designed to promote knowledge exchange between emerging researchers and industry professionals, support the development of young researchers and encourage collaboration across institutions and disciplines.
With the quality of submissions received and the breadth of topics on the programme, Mintek SCi 2026 promises a stimulating programme of research, ideas and discussion focused on the technologies and solutions that could shape the minerals industry of tomorrow.