The Mineral Waste Valorization Research Conference 2026 (MWVRC 2026) is organised by the Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (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. These materials often contain residual valuable elements alongside potentially hazardous substances, making their responsible management and valorization a critical challenge for both industry and the environment.
Ghana's mining sector generates significant volumes of mineral and industrial waste that is poorly managed, underutilised and environmentally costly. There is currently no dedicated platform in Ghana that brings engineers, researchers, industry players and policymakers together to address this problem. This conference fills that gap.
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. It represents the department's commitment to connecting research with industry and policy for meaningful impact.
The event is a one-day hybrid conference — combining in-person sessions at KNUST with live online participation — designed to be accessible to researchers and practitioners across Ghana and Africa.
Conference Theme
"Valorizing Mineral Waste through Engineering Innovations and Policy Advocacy"
Conference 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 on mineral waste management
- 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
Kumasi, Ghana
In Partnership with OWSD
Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World
Hybrid Format
The conference is fully hybrid. All sessions — keynotes, parallel breakouts, panel discussion and closing ceremony — will be live-streamed online. The link will be distributed to all registered online participants.
Physical venue: KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana
Online: Link distributed on registration
