Coaltech Colloquium 2026
The Premier Research, Development & Innovation Platform for the Coal Industry
Days
Hours
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Event logistics
Key Stats
Date: 28 May 2026 (oneday event)
Time: 08:00 – 15:30
Venue: ANEW Hotel, Benoni.
Hotel & Convention Centre OR Tambo
1 Country Street, Lakefield, Benoni, 1501, Johannesburg, South Africa
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- 10 RD&I presentations
- 50+ companies represented
- 600+ delegates
Who Attends?
The Coaltech Colloquium 2026 brings together the full Coaltech community and wider coal value chain – including mining groups and mines, researchers and research organisations, universities and students, government and regulators, technology innovators, service providers and investors who are committed to making the South African coal industry competitive, sustainable and safe.
Why Attend?
The Colloquium is the annual platform where Coaltech members, partners and the wider coal value chain connect, share research and cocreate solutions for a competitive, sustainable and safe coal industry.
Delegate Benefits
- Exposure to cuttingedge research
- Networking with decisionmakers
- Insights on clean coal technologies and critical minerals
- Collaboration on mine closure
- Rehabilitation and digital transformation
Programme Overview
- Welcome
- Keynote
- RD&I technical sessions
- Panel Discussions
- Exhibition and networking blocks
Speakers
Riaan Bergh
Mechanical Engineer | CSIR
Presenting:
Coal Dust Explosibility, Kloppersbos Testing Capability
Riaan Bergh brings 25 years of structural mechanics and performance testing experience to the coal sector. He leads the CSIR's Mining Testing and Training impact area, which includes the Cottesloe Mining Laboratories and the Kloppersbos mine fire and explosion testing and training facility.
His presentation covers South Africa's coal dust explosibility testing capability and what it means for operational safety standards underground. The work is directly relevant to every underground coal operation in the country: if dust explosibility thresholds are not properly understood and tested, the safety protocols built on top of them are unreliable.
Riaan Bergh
Mechanical Engineer | CSIR
Presenting:
Coal Dust Explosibility, Kloppersbos Testing Capability
Riaan Bergh brings 25 years of structural mechanics and performance testing experience to the coal sector. He leads the CSIR's Mining Testing and Training impact area, which includes the Cottesloe Mining Laboratories and the Kloppersbos mine fire and explosion testing and training facility.
His presentation covers South Africa's coal dust explosibility testing capability and what it means for operational safety standards underground. The work is directly relevant to every underground coal operation in the country: if dust explosibility thresholds are not properly understood and tested, the safety protocols built on top of them are unreliable.
His presentation covers South Africa's coal dust explosibility testing capability and what it means for operational safety standards underground. The work is directly relevant to every underground coal operation in the country: if dust explosibility thresholds are not properly understood and tested, the safety protocols built on top of them are unreliable.
Johan Hanekom
Chief Rock Engineer | CSIR
Presenting:
Stress Measurement for Fall-of-Ground Prevention
Johan Hanekom is a rock engineer with 36 years of experience spanning AngloGold Ashanti, SRK Consulting, and the University of Pretoria's Mining Engineering Department. He held the Harmony Chair in Rock Engineering and Numerical Modelling at the University of Pretoria from 2015 to 2018 and has operated as an independent specialist consultant before joining the CSIR as Chief Rock Engineer in 2023.
His presentation addresses how improved stress measurement techniques can prevent fall-of-ground incidents, the leading cause of fatalities in South African underground mining. The research targets practical, deployable measurement approaches that mines can integrate into existing ground control programmes.
Johan Hanekom
Chief Rock Engineer | CSIR
Presenting:
Stress Measurement for Fall-of-Ground Prevention
Johan Hanekom is a rock engineer with 36 years of experience spanning AngloGold Ashanti, SRK Consulting, and the University of Pretoria's Mining Engineering Department. He held the Harmony Chair in Rock Engineering and Numerical Modelling at the University of Pretoria from 2015 to 2018 and has operated as an independent specialist consultant before joining the CSIR as Chief Rock Engineer in 2023.
His presentation addresses how improved stress measurement techniques can prevent fall-of-ground incidents, the leading cause of fatalities in South African underground mining. The research targets practical, deployable measurement approaches that mines can integrate into existing ground control programmes.
His presentation addresses how improved stress measurement techniques can prevent fall-of-ground incidents, the leading cause of fatalities in South African underground mining. The research targets practical, deployable measurement approaches that mines can integrate into existing ground control programmes.
Dr Ryan Merckel
Bioprocess Specialist | Mintek, Biometallurgy Division
Presenting:
Biological Treatment of Brines
Dr Ryan Merckel is a chemical engineer and bioprocess specialist with experience spanning academia, applied research, and industry. He has been affiliated with the University of Pretoria and Mälardalen University and has worked in the forestry, energy, and chemicals sectors before joining Mintek's Biometallurgy Division.
His work focuses on biological process development for industrial and environmental applications, particularly mine water treatment, biological sulphate reduction, sulphide management, and the biological treatment of brines. At the Colloquium, he presents research on how biological processes can offer more sustainable alternatives for treating the concentrated brines that conventional mine water treatment systems produce.
Dr Ryan Merckel
Bioprocess Specialist | Mintek, Biometallurgy Division
Presenting:
Biological Treatment of Brines
Dr Ryan Merckel is a chemical engineer and bioprocess specialist with experience spanning academia, applied research, and industry. He has been affiliated with the University of Pretoria and Mälardalen University and has worked in the forestry, energy, and chemicals sectors before joining Mintek's Biometallurgy Division.
His work focuses on biological process development for industrial and environmental applications, particularly mine water treatment, biological sulphate reduction, sulphide management, and the biological treatment of brines. At the Colloquium, he presents research on how biological processes can offer more sustainable alternatives for treating the concentrated brines that conventional mine water treatment systems produce.
His work focuses on biological process development for industrial and environmental applications, particularly mine water treatment, biological sulphate reduction, sulphide management, and the biological treatment of brines. At the Colloquium, he presents research on how biological processes can offer more sustainable alternatives for treating the concentrated brines that conventional mine water treatment systems produce.
Lesego Madiseng
PhD Candidate in Agronomy | University of Pretoria
Presenting:
Irrigation Using Treated Mine Water
Lesego Madiseng is an environmental and agricultural scientist with more than five years of experience in mine water irrigation research. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Soil Science and an MSc Agric in Agronomy, and is currently completing her PhD in Agronomy at the University of Pretoria.
She has worked as an environmental consultant in the mining industry, specialising in rehabilitation and mine closure planning. Her presentation covers the work undertaken by the University of Pretoria's Mine Water Irrigation Research group to facilitate the acceptance and adoption of irrigation as a mine water management strategy through evidence-based decision-making. The goal is to turn treated mine water from a disposal problem into a productive agricultural resource.
Lesego Madiseng
PhD Candidate in Agronomy | University of Pretoria
Presenting:
Irrigation Using Treated Mine Water
Lesego Madiseng is an environmental and agricultural scientist with more than five years of experience in mine water irrigation research. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Soil Science and an MSc Agric in Agronomy, and is currently completing her PhD in Agronomy at the University of Pretoria.
She has worked as an environmental consultant in the mining industry, specialising in rehabilitation and mine closure planning. Her presentation covers the work undertaken by the University of Pretoria's Mine Water Irrigation Research group to facilitate the acceptance and adoption of irrigation as a mine water management strategy through evidence-based decision-making. The goal is to turn treated mine water from a disposal problem into a productive agricultural resource.
She has worked as an environmental consultant in the mining industry, specialising in rehabilitation and mine closure planning. Her presentation covers the work undertaken by the University of Pretoria's Mine Water Irrigation Research group to facilitate the acceptance and adoption of irrigation as a mine water management strategy through evidence-based decision-making. The goal is to turn treated mine water from a disposal problem into a productive agricultural resource.
Prof Wayne Truter
Full Research Professor | University of the Free State, Green Futures Hub
Presenting:
Carbon Farming on Rehabilitated Coal-Mined Land
Prof Wayne Truter holds a PhD in Integrated Agricultural and Environmental Sciences from the University of Pretoria. He is currently employed by the University of the Free State as Full Research Professor in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Centre of Mineral Biogeochemistry, and serves as the Executive Manager of the Green Futures Hub.
He is also a Research Programme Specialist Advisor at Enterprises University of Pretoria. His specialisation focuses on establishing the most sustainable, economical, and practically feasible regenerative land use management systems in disturbed and rehabilitated environments. He is a founding member and past president of LaRSSA (Land Rehabilitation Society of Southern Africa). His presentation explores how carbon farming can turn post-mining landscapes into carbon sinks rather than liabilities.
Prof Wayne Truter
Full Research Professor | University of the Free State, Green Futures Hub
Presenting:
Carbon Farming on Rehabilitated Coal-Mined Land
Prof Wayne Truter holds a PhD in Integrated Agricultural and Environmental Sciences from the University of Pretoria. He is currently employed by the University of the Free State as Full Research Professor in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Centre of Mineral Biogeochemistry, and serves as the Executive Manager of the Green Futures Hub.
He is also a Research Programme Specialist Advisor at Enterprises University of Pretoria. His specialisation focuses on establishing the most sustainable, economical, and practically feasible regenerative land use management systems in disturbed and rehabilitated environments. He is a founding member and past president of LaRSSA (Land Rehabilitation Society of Southern Africa). His presentation explores how carbon farming can turn post-mining landscapes into carbon sinks rather than liabilities.
He is also a Research Programme Specialist Advisor at Enterprises University of Pretoria. His specialisation focuses on establishing the most sustainable, economical, and practically feasible regenerative land use management systems in disturbed and rehabilitated environments. He is a founding member and past president of LaRSSA (Land Rehabilitation Society of Southern Africa). His presentation explores how carbon farming can turn post-mining landscapes into carbon sinks rather than liabilities.
Karen Ssekimpi
Scientific Officer | Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research (CeBER), University of Cape Town
Presenting:
Carbon Capture & Energy Recovery Using Algae
Karen Ssekimpi holds both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Chemical Engineering from UCT. She has several years of experience in microalgal biotechnology, with a particular interest in developing sustainable and scalable solutions to environmental challenges.
Her current work at CeBER focuses on advancing microalgal-based systems for wastewater treatment and resource recovery, integrating biological processes to improve water quality while generating value-added products. Her research includes the use of microalgal polycultures to remediate mine-impacted wastewater, coupled with carbon capture. At the Colloquium, she presents work highlighting the potential of these systems for addressing both water treatment and climate-related challenges for the coal sector.
Karen Ssekimpi
Scientific Officer | Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research (CeBER), University of Cape Town
Presenting:
Carbon Capture & Energy Recovery Using Algae
Karen Ssekimpi holds both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Chemical Engineering from UCT. She has several years of experience in microalgal biotechnology, with a particular interest in developing sustainable and scalable solutions to environmental challenges.
Her current work at CeBER focuses on advancing microalgal-based systems for wastewater treatment and resource recovery, integrating biological processes to improve water quality while generating value-added products. Her research includes the use of microalgal polycultures to remediate mine-impacted wastewater, coupled with carbon capture. At the Colloquium, she presents work highlighting the potential of these systems for addressing both water treatment and climate-related challenges for the coal sector.
Her current work at CeBER focuses on advancing microalgal-based systems for wastewater treatment and resource recovery, integrating biological processes to improve water quality while generating value-added products. Her research includes the use of microalgal polycultures to remediate mine-impacted wastewater, coupled with carbon capture. At the Colloquium, she presents work highlighting the potential of these systems for addressing both water treatment and climate-related challenges for the coal sector.
Dr Juarez Amaral Filho
Researcher | Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research (CeBER), University of Cape Town
Presenting:
Characterisation of Coal Downstream Materials for Resource Recovery
Dr Juarez Amaral Filho is a researcher at UCT's CeBER whose work explores opportunities for the valorisation and repurposing of secondary resources in line with circular economy principles.
His Coaltech-supported research project investigates how conventional mineral processing technologies can be applied in innovative ways to improve environmental management in the mining sector. With a particular focus on critical minerals and pyrite, the study demonstrates how detailed characterisation can support resource recovery, reduce waste-related liabilities, and create value across the coal value chain. The work is directly relevant to South Africa's strategic interest in critical mineral supply chains and the growing pressure to find productive uses for coal waste streams.
Dr Juarez Amaral Filho
Researcher | Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research (CeBER), University of Cape Town
Presenting:
Characterisation of Coal Downstream Materials for Resource Recovery
Dr Juarez Amaral Filho is a researcher at UCT's CeBER whose work explores opportunities for the valorisation and repurposing of secondary resources in line with circular economy principles.
His Coaltech-supported research project investigates how conventional mineral processing technologies can be applied in innovative ways to improve environmental management in the mining sector. With a particular focus on critical minerals and pyrite, the study demonstrates how detailed characterisation can support resource recovery, reduce waste-related liabilities, and create value across the coal value chain. The work is directly relevant to South Africa's strategic interest in critical mineral supply chains and the growing pressure to find productive uses for coal waste streams.
His Coaltech-supported research project investigates how conventional mineral processing technologies can be applied in innovative ways to improve environmental management in the mining sector. With a particular focus on critical minerals and pyrite, the study demonstrates how detailed characterisation can support resource recovery, reduce waste-related liabilities, and create value across the coal value chain. The work is directly relevant to South Africa's strategic interest in critical mineral supply chains and the growing pressure to find productive uses for coal waste streams.
Reatile Pitso
Senior Researcher, Pavement Design and Construction Engineering | CSIR, Smart Mobility Cluster
Presenting:
Coal-Based Circular Innovation for Asphalt Applications
Reatile Pitso holds a Master's Degree in Civil Engineering (Cum Laude) specialising in Transportation Engineering and is currently in the final stages of his PhD at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He has more than 18 years of diverse experience in water supply, construction materials, pavement design, geometric design, and construction, spanning Lafarge's research operations in France and now the CSIR.
His Coaltech-supported research, conducted in collaboration with the CSIR, tests whether coal waste, including coal fines, can serve as a viable substitute for natural aggregates in asphalt wearing courses. Laboratory results (Marshall Stability, Indirect Tensile Strength, Hamburg Wheel Tracking, and Four-Point Bending Beam tests) show coal waste asphalt matching or outperforming conventional mixes, with measurable cost savings where transport distances remain limited.
Reatile Pitso
Senior Researcher, Pavement Design and Construction Engineering | CSIR, Smart Mobility Cluster
Presenting:
Coal-Based Circular Innovation for Asphalt Applications
Reatile Pitso holds a Master's Degree in Civil Engineering (Cum Laude) specialising in Transportation Engineering and is currently in the final stages of his PhD at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He has more than 18 years of diverse experience in water supply, construction materials, pavement design, geometric design, and construction, spanning Lafarge's research operations in France and now the CSIR.
His Coaltech-supported research, conducted in collaboration with the CSIR, tests whether coal waste, including coal fines, can serve as a viable substitute for natural aggregates in asphalt wearing courses. Laboratory results (Marshall Stability, Indirect Tensile Strength, Hamburg Wheel Tracking, and Four-Point Bending Beam tests) show coal waste asphalt matching or outperforming conventional mixes, with measurable cost savings where transport distances remain limited.
His Coaltech-supported research, conducted in collaboration with the CSIR, tests whether coal waste, including coal fines, can serve as a viable substitute for natural aggregates in asphalt wearing courses. Laboratory results (Marshall Stability, Indirect Tensile Strength, Hamburg Wheel Tracking, and Four-Point Bending Beam tests) show coal waste asphalt matching or outperforming conventional mixes, with measurable cost savings where transport distances remain limited.
Dr Mike Masukume
Principal Researcher and Project Leader | CSIR, Hydrogen South Africa and Carbon Capture and Utilisation Research Group (HySA/CCU)
Presenting:
High-Efficiency, Low-Emissions (HELE) Technologies
Dr Mike Masukume holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering and an MSc in Project Management. He is the Project Leader for the strategic Circulating Fluidised Bed (CFB) Project at the CSIR, focused on developing a Basic Engineering Package for a 500 kW CFB plant in South Africa.
The overall aim is to establish a CFB facility as an alternative to conventional coal combustion technology in order to demonstrate its fuel flexibility and emission control capabilities. He is also co-developer representing CSIR in the Mast3RBoost consortium, an international collaboration of 13 partners developing hydrogen storage technology. His presentation makes the case for HELE technology as a practical transition pathway for South Africa's coal fleet.
Dr Mike Masukume
Principal Researcher and Project Leader | CSIR, Hydrogen South Africa and Carbon Capture and Utilisation Research Group (HySA/CCU)
Presenting:
High-Efficiency, Low-Emissions (HELE) Technologies
Dr Mike Masukume holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering and an MSc in Project Management. He is the Project Leader for the strategic Circulating Fluidised Bed (CFB) Project at the CSIR, focused on developing a Basic Engineering Package for a 500 kW CFB plant in South Africa.
The overall aim is to establish a CFB facility as an alternative to conventional coal combustion technology in order to demonstrate its fuel flexibility and emission control capabilities. He is also co-developer representing CSIR in the Mast3RBoost consortium, an international collaboration of 13 partners developing hydrogen storage technology. His presentation makes the case for HELE technology as a practical transition pathway for South Africa's coal fleet.
The overall aim is to establish a CFB facility as an alternative to conventional coal combustion technology in order to demonstrate its fuel flexibility and emission control capabilities. He is also co-developer representing CSIR in the Mast3RBoost consortium, an international collaboration of 13 partners developing hydrogen storage technology. His presentation makes the case for HELE technology as a practical transition pathway for South Africa's coal fleet.
Juan du Plessis
Climate Change Advisor | Promethium Carbon
Presenting:
Emissions Scope 1 & 2
Juan du Plessis is a mechanical engineer with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master's in Additive Manufacturing from North-West University. He currently serves as a Climate Change Advisor at Promethium Carbon, where he assists organisations with developing climate change mitigation strategies, conducting GHG inventories, and ensuring compliance with carbon regulations.
He specialises in carbon footprint calculation using ISO 14064 standards and the GHG Protocol, lifecycle assessments, and energy efficiency. He has worked across mining, finance, floriculture, and manufacturing sectors. His presentation addresses how coal operations should understand, measure, and report their Scope 1 and 2 emissions in the current South African regulatory environment, as carbon tax and reporting requirements continue to tighten.
Juan du Plessis
Climate Change Advisor | Promethium Carbon
Presenting:
Emissions Scope 1 & 2
Juan du Plessis is a mechanical engineer with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master's in Additive Manufacturing from North-West University. He currently serves as a Climate Change Advisor at Promethium Carbon, where he assists organisations with developing climate change mitigation strategies, conducting GHG inventories, and ensuring compliance with carbon regulations.
He specialises in carbon footprint calculation using ISO 14064 standards and the GHG Protocol, lifecycle assessments, and energy efficiency. He has worked across mining, finance, floriculture, and manufacturing sectors. His presentation addresses how coal operations should understand, measure, and report their Scope 1 and 2 emissions in the current South African regulatory environment, as carbon tax and reporting requirements continue to tighten.
He specialises in carbon footprint calculation using ISO 14064 standards and the GHG Protocol, lifecycle assessments, and energy efficiency. He has worked across mining, finance, floriculture, and manufacturing sectors. His presentation addresses how coal operations should understand, measure, and report their Scope 1 and 2 emissions in the current South African regulatory environment, as carbon tax and reporting requirements continue to tighten.
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“Clean Coal”, “Critical Minerals”, “Mine Closure”, “Digital”
Title of Presentation
Lead presenter name and organisation
Lorem ipsum is a dummy or placeholder text commonly used in graphic design, publishing, and web development. Its purpose is to permit a page layout to be …
“Clean Coal”, “Critical Minerals”, “Mine Closure”, “Digital”
Title of Presentation
Lead presenter name and organisation
Lorem ipsum is a dummy or placeholder text commonly used in graphic design, publishing, and web development. Its purpose is to permit a page layout to be …