Topic -The Future of Tailings Management: Can Technology Save the Day?
Background
The mining industry is under pressure to improve its tailings management practices, and technology is seen as a key part of the solution. This panel discussion will bring together experts in mining engineering, technology, and sustainability to explore the role of technology in improving tailings management, including innovation, construction, and monitoring.
The discussion will examine the latest technologies and innovations in tailings management, such as dry stacking, paste thickening, and satellite monitoring. Panelists will discuss the benefits and challenges of adopting new technologies, and explore the potential for technology to reduce the risks associated with tailings dams. The discussion will also consider the barriers to adoption, including cost, scalability, and regulatory frameworks.
Key topics to be discussed include the role of digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence and Internet of Things (IoT), in improving tailings management, the potential for technology to enhance community engagement and transparency, and the need for collaboration and investment in research and development.
Key Questions:
- What are the most promising technologies for improving tailings management, and how can they be scaled up?
- What is the role of industry, government, and academia in driving innovation in tailings management?
- What are the barriers to adoption, and how can they be overcome?
Eng Chrispin Chomba - Engineering Institute of Zambia (EIZ)
Website: https://eiz.org.zm/
Eng Chrispin Chomba is an accomplished Safety, Health, Environment and Quality professional with extensive experience in SHEQ management, environmental engineering and project management. He has successfully supported major infrastructure, energy, mining, logistics and construction projects in Zambia and The Gambia. His expertise includes management-system development, environmental and social impact assessment, risk management, regulatory compliance, incident investigation, auditing and contractor SHEQ management. He holds a Master of Science in Project Management, a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering, a NEBOSH International Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety, and a Chartered Level 8 qualification in Health, Safety and Environment Excellence. The Engineering Institute of Zambia is a professional body representing engineers and engineering professionals across Zambia. It promotes standards of engineering practice, professional development, and ethical conduct in the engineering field.
Dr Kabwe Mubanga - University of Zambia (UNZA)
Website: https://www.unza.zm/
Dr. Kabwe Mubanga holds a PhD in Environment and Society from the University of Pretoria in South Africa. He is a lecturer at the University of Zambia (UNZA) and serves as a climate change specialist under the National Technical Committee for Climate Change and a climate change negotiator for Zambia. He sits on the Adaptation and Means of Implementation and Disaster Management sub-committees for Zambia. Kabwe is also a Director at the Centre for Climate Change Policy and Integrated Research (CCCPiR). He has coordinated the implementation of several projects, including PROSPERO Zambia’s attribution for measuring impacts of Covid-19 on tourism and agriculture sectors, the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit’s (DMMU) Vulnerability Assessments, and the Third National Communication to UNFCCC, funded by the UN Environment Program’s Global Environment Facility, as well as the Transforming Landscapes for Resilience and Development (TRALARD) project in Luapula Province of Zambia funded by the World Bank. Kabwe is also a Senior Researcher on a collaborative research project with the University of South Africa, the University of Fort Hare and the University of Zambia entitled ‘Effects of Pliocene-Pleistocene climatic changes on the evolution of river systems in Southern Africa: Focus on the Zambezi and Orange river drainage basin’ funded by the Water Resource Commission of South Africa.
Mutale Chisanga – Mopani Copper Mine
Website: https://mopani.com.zm/
Mutale Chisanga is a Mining Engineer with approximately 10 years of professional experience in geotechnical engineering, specializing in soil and rock mechanics for open-pit geotechnical engineering, tailings management, and dam safety. His career has encompassed a diverse range of mining, infrastructure, and water-retaining structures, providing him with multidisciplinary experience across complex engineering environments.
Mutale currently works for Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) as a Projects Tailings Engineer, where he is responsible for the technical and project supervision for major TSF infrastructure works. The project involves the construction and upgrading of a critical TSF, with a focus on geotechnical engineering, tailings management, construction quality, project coordination, and dam safety. Throughout his career, Mutale has developed practical experience at the interface between geotechnical engineering, mining operations, construction, and project management.
Zambia Chamber of Mines
Website: http://mines.org.zm/
Panelist: Talent Ngandwe
Zambia Chamber of Mines is the industry association representing major mining and allied companies in Zambia, both large and small, operating under a constitution and voluntary membership scheme. It plays a central role in policy advocacy, promoting responsible and sustainable mining practices while coordinating sector-wide initiatives including mine rescue services, health, safety, environmental standards, and industry-wide emergency preparedness. The Chamber also serves as the key voice of Zambia’s mining industry in engagement with government and investors, working to attract investment, support industry growth, and safeguard both mining sector and community interests.
Moderator: Oxfam Zambia
Website: https://www.oxfam.org/
Moderator: Chitimbwa Chifunda
Oxfam Zambia is the national affiliate of the global NGO Oxfam working in Zambia to reduce poverty, enhance social justice and support sustainable development. It implements programs that focus on economic empowerment, gender equality, humanitarian relief, and community resilience — especially for poor and vulnerable populations. Through advocacy, partnerships with local civil society, and community-based initiatives, Oxfam Zambia strives to improve access to basic services, promote equitable resource distribution, and strengthen community capacities. The organization seeks to support inclusive development and help ensure that marginalized groups have a voice in decisions affecting their lives.
