KNUST · Kumasi, Ghana · June 2026

Mineral Waste ValorizationResearch Conference 2026

📅 Thursday, 25 June 2026 · Library Mall, KNUST 💻 Hybrid — In-person + Online

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About the Conference

Welcome to MWVRC 2026

The Mineral Waste Valorization Research Conference 2026 (MWVRC 2026) is a one-day hybrid research conference bringing together postgraduate researchers, academic staff, engineers, industry professionals and policymakers to address the challenge of mineral and industrial waste management in Ghana and beyond.

Organised by the Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering at KNUST in partnership with the Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), this conference is a direct output of the OWSD Early Career Fellowship of Dr. Bennetta Koomson.

Conference Leadership

Meet Our Key Leaders

Prof. Kwabena Biritwum Nyarko

Conference Chair

Provost, College of Engineering · KNUST

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Dr. Bennetta Koomson

Committee Chairperson · OWSD 2023 Fellow

Senior Lecturer, Dept.Of Materials & Metallurgical Engineering · KNUST

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Prof. Emmanuel Gikunoo

Head of Department

Dept. of Materials & Metallurgical Engineering · KNUST

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Venue

Conference Location

Library Mall, KNUST

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Kumasi, Ghana

The conference takes place at the Library Mall — one of KNUST's most prominent and accessible open spaces, located at the heart of campus.

📅 25 June 2026 · Hybrid (In-person + Online)

Technical Tracks

Breakout Rooms

Three breakout rooms spanning the four technical themes of the conference.

Room A

Characterisation & Processing of Mineral Waste

Plus Policy & Regulatory Frameworks for Mineral Waste Management in Industry (T1 & T4)

Room B

Environmental Impact, Remediation & Sustainable Management

Environmental stewardship and sustainable management of mineral waste streams (T2)

Room C

Waste Valorisation Technologies & Circular Economy

Innovative technologies and circular economy strategies for valorizing mineral waste (T3)

About

Conference Overview

Background, theme, objectives and host institution

The Mineral Waste Valorization Research Conference 2026 (MWVRC 2026) is organised by the Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering at KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana, in partnership with the Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD).

What is mineral waste? Mineral waste refers to solid, liquid or semi-solid residues generated during the extraction, processing and beneficiation of mineral resources — including mine tailings, slag, waste rock, process effluents and by-products from metallurgical operations.

Ghana's mining sector generates significant volumes of mineral and industrial waste that is poorly managed, underutilised and environmentally costly. This conference fills that gap by bringing engineers, researchers, industry players and policymakers together on a dedicated platform.

The conference is a direct output of the OWSD Early Career Fellowship of Dr. Bennetta Koomson (OWSD Fellow since 2023), whose fellowship is focused on mineral waste valorization research.

Conference Theme

"Valorizing Mineral Waste through Engineering Innovations and Policy Advocacy"

Objectives

Provide a platform for sharing research on mineral waste valorization in Ghana and Africa
Bridge the gap between academic research, industry practice and policy
Foster collaboration between KNUST researchers, industry professionals and government stakeholders
Showcase postgraduate research and emerging innovations in waste valorization
Contribute to the publication pathway through the JUST journal

Host Institution

KNUST — Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering
Library Mall, Kumasi, Ghana

In Partnership with OWSD
Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World

Hybrid Format

All sessions — keynotes, breakout rooms, panel discussion and closing ceremony — will be live-streamed. The link will be distributed to all registered online participants.

Physical venue: Library Mall, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana
Online: Link distributed on registration

📖 Publication in JUST

Selected full papers will be considered for publication in the Journal of the University of Science and Technology (JUST), a peer-reviewed academic journal.

Committee

Organising Committee

The team behind MWVRC 2026

Core Organising Committee

Dr. Bennetta Koomson

Committee Chairperson · OWSD Fellow 2023

Senior Lecturer · KNUST

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Prof. Emmanuel Gikunoo

Technical Editor (Lead)

HOD, Dept. Materials & Metallurgical Eng. · KNUST

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Prof. Kwadwo Mensah Darkwa

Moderator & Technical Editor

Dept. Materials & Metallurgical Eng. · KNUST

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Mrs. Patricia Amoah Yirenkyi

Programme Coordinator

Office of Grants and Research · KNUST

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Mr. Prince Owusu

Secretary

KNUST

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Mr. Christopher A. Akumfi

Finance

KNUST

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Technical Programme

Technical Session Chairs

Experts leading the three breakout rooms

Room A

T1: Characterization & Processing of Mineral and Industrial Waste
T4: Policy & Regulatory Frameworks for Mineral Waste Management

Technical Chairs

Dr. Efiba Vidda Senkyire Kwarteng

Geomatic Engineering · KNUST

Dr. Emmanuel Kwesi Arthur

Materials & Metallurgical Eng. · KNUST

Room B

T2: Environmental Impact, Remediation & Sustainable Management of Mineral Waste

Technical Chairs

Dr. Miriam Appiah-Brempong

Civil Engineering · KNUST

Dr. Henry Agbe

Materials & Metallurgical Eng. · KNUST

Room C

T3: Waste Valorization Technologies & Circular Economy Strategies

Technical Chairs

Dr. Mizpah Ama Dziedzorm Rockson

Chemical Engineering · KNUST

Dr. Emmanuela Kwao-Boateng

Chemical Engineering · KNUST

Full Profiles

Dr. Efiba Vidda Senkyire Kwarteng

Session Chair · Room A

Geomatic Engineering · KNUST

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Dr. Emmanuel Kwesi Arthur

Session Chair · Room A

Materials & Metallurgical Eng. · KNUST

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Dr. Miriam Appiah Brempong

Session Chair · Room B

Civil Engineering · KNUST

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Dr. Henry Agbe

Session Chair · Room B

Materials & Metallurgical Eng. · KNUST

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Dr. Mizpah Ama Dziedzorm Rockson

Session Chair · Room C

Chemical Engineering · KNUST

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Dr. Emmanuela Kwao-Boateng

Session Chair · Room C

Chemical Engineering · KNUST

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Speakers

Keynote Speakers

Three keynote addresses anchoring the morning programme

Mr. Sampson Gyasi Koduah

Business Line Leader, Minerals Sub-Saharan Africa · Intertek Ghana Minerals

Waste Valorization Technologies and Circular Economy Strategies

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Dr. Jackson Adiyiah Nyantakyi

Ashanti Regional Director · Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana

Policy, Regulation and Industry Practice in Mineral Waste Management

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Dr. Bennetta Koomson

OWSD Fellow 2023 · Senior Lecturer, KNUST

Characterization, Sustainable Processing, and Environmental Management of Mineral Waste

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Industry Panel

Panel Discussion

25 June 2026 · KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana · Moderated by Prof. Kwadwo Mensah Darkwa

"Valorizing Mineral Waste through Engineering and Policy Innovation"

Moderated by Prof. Kwadwo Mensah Darkwa

Bridging Research, Industry, and Impact

Ghanaian universities and research institutions have generated significant knowledge on mine tailings, waste rock, slags, and metallurgical by-products, yet few of these innovations have reached commercial implementation. What are the key barriers preventing the transition from research to industry adoption, and how can stakeholders work together to convert mineral waste research into scalable economic and environmental solutions?

Characterization as the Foundation of Valorization

Many mineral waste streams remain underutilized because their resource potential is not fully understood. Given the expertise of laboratories, industry, and academia, how can Ghana strengthen mineral waste characterization and data-driven decision-making to unlock value from mine tailings, waste rock, and processing residues?

Policy and Regulatory Transformation

Current regulations often focus on waste containment and environmental compliance rather than resource recovery. What policy, regulatory, and institutional reforms are needed to incentivize mineral waste valorization, discourage environmentally harmful disposal practices, and promote a circular economy within Ghana's mining sector?

Financing and Commercialization of Innovation

Many promising mineral waste valorization technologies fail to progress beyond pilot studies due to funding and investment challenges. What financing models, public-private partnerships, and investment mechanisms are required to accelerate the commercialization of mineral waste valorization technologies in Ghana and across Africa?

Building Ghana's Vision for Mineral Waste Valorization

Looking ahead to 2035, what would success look like for Ghana in transforming mineral waste from an environmental liability into a strategic resource, and what single action should government, industry, academia, and regulators prioritize today to achieve that vision?

Programme

Conference Day Programme

25 June 2026 · Library Mall, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana · Hybrid (In-person + Online)

Time	Session
08:30 am	Arrival and Registration
09:00 am	Opening Prayer Dr. Henry Agbe
09:05 am	Singing of the National Anthem
09:10 am	Introduction of Dignitaries Moderator — Prof. Kwadwo Mensah Darkwa
09:20 am	Welcome and Opening Address Conference Chair — Prof. Kwabena Biritwum Nyarko
09:35 am	Keynote Address 1 Mr. Sampson Gyasi Koduah · Business Line Leader, Minerals Sub-Saharan Africa, Intertek Ghana Minerals Waste Valorization Technologies and Circular Economy Strategies
10:05 am	Poetry Recitals St. Louis Senior High School
10:10 am	Keynote Address 2 Dr. Jackson Adiyiah Nyantakyi · Ashanti Regional Director, EPA Policy, Regulation and Industry Practice in Mineral Waste Management
10:40 am	OWSD Documentary Show
10:50 am	Keynote Address 3 Dr. Bennetta Koomson · OWSD Fellow 2023 Characterization, Sustainable Processing, and Environmental Management of Mineral Waste
11:20 am	Morning Refreshments + Poster Viewing & Exhibition
12:05 pm	Panel Discussion Panelists: SGS · Intertek · ALS · EPA · MPPE Theme: Valorizing Mineral Waste through Engineering Innovations and Policy Advocacy
1:00 pm	Technical Breakout Sessions Room A — T1: Characterization & Processing · T4: Policy & Regulatory Frameworks Room B — T2: Environmental Impact, Remediation & Sustainable Management Room C — T3: Waste Valorization Technologies & Circular Economy Strategies
3:00 pm	Closing Ceremony & Awards Messages from Sponsors & Organizations · Intertek · MPPE · WISTEM · WiM · TBEC · ALS · ICMS · GhIE · LiMAP-GH · SGS · OWSD GH · EPA · WINE Presentation of Awards and Certificates Closing Remarks — Prof. Kwabena Biritwum Nyarko
3:45 pm	Singing of "Yen Ara Asaase Ni"
3:50 pm	Closing Prayer Dr. Henry Agbe
3:55 pm	Group Photography & Lunch

Poster presentations are compulsory for all accepted abstracts. All in-person presenters must print and bring their own A1 portrait poster.

Programme Moderator

Prof. Kwadwo Mensah Darkwa

Dept. Materials & Metallurgical Engineering
KNUST · JUST Journal Liaison

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Important Dates

Key Milestones

Conference milestones and schedule

Apr

Abstract Submission Deadline Closed

30 April 2026 (Extended) — Submission has now closed.

May

Notification of Acceptance Closed

16 May 2026 — Authors notified by email with reference code.

Jun

Full Paper Submission Closed

6 June 2026 — For papers selected for JUST journal consideration.

Jun

Finalisation of Accepted Papers Closed

20 June 2026 — Final versions and presentations due.

Jun

Conference Date 🎓 Upcoming

25 June 2026 · Library Mall, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana · Hybrid

Registration and abstract submission have now closed. For any queries contact mwvresearchconference@gmail.com

Recognition

Conference Awards

Celebrating excellence in mineral waste valorization research

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Best Poster Presentation

Awarded to the researcher who demonstrates outstanding quality, clarity, and impact in their poster presentation during the exhibition session.

Scientific rigour and originality of research
Clarity and visual quality of the poster
Ability to communicate findings to a multidisciplinary audience
Relevance to mineral waste valorization

🎤

Best Oral Presentation

Awarded to the presenter who delivers the most compelling, well-structured, and impactful oral presentation in the technical breakout sessions.

Quality and significance of research findings
Clarity, structure, and delivery of the talk
Engagement with audience questions
Contribution to the conference theme

Awards will be presented at the Closing Ceremony (3:00 pm). All award recipients will receive a certificate and recognition from the Conference Chair and organising committee.

Mineral Waste ValorizationResearch Conference 2026

Full Papers Published in JUST

Library Mall, KNUST

Characterisation & Processing of Mineral Waste

Environmental Impact, Remediation & Sustainable Management

Waste Valorisation Technologies & Circular Economy

Conference Theme

Objectives

Host Institution

Hybrid Format

📖 Publication in JUST

Abstract Submission Deadline Closed

Notification of Acceptance Closed

Full Paper Submission Closed

Finalisation of Accepted Papers Closed

Conference Date 🎓 Upcoming

Contact Information

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