SAICE Geotechnical Division Evening Lecture: A Deep Dive into Mine Tailings

On Thursday, 22 February 2024, the SAICE Geotechnical Division hosted an engaging evening lecture featuring two esteemed speakers: Dr. Luis Alberto Torres-Cruz, Senior Lecturer at the University of Witwatersrand, and Professor Dobroslov Znidarcic, Professor Emeritus from the University of Colorado. Both are recipients of the prestigious 2023 Jennings Award, recognising their significant contributions to geotechnical research.

The lecture, titled “Geotechnics of Mine Tailings: A State of the Art Report,” provided an insightful exploration of mine tailings, a critical topic in geotechnical engineering. Over the course of approximately 50 minutes, the speakers shared cutting-edge findings, methodologies, and real-world applications in mine tailings geotechnics, followed by a dynamic 10-minute Q&A session where attendees engaged with the speakers’ expertise.

The event, held via a free MS Teams webinar, attracted participants from across the geotechnical and civil engineering fields, reflecting the profession’s growing interest in sustainable and safe tailings management. With 0.1 CPD points accredited, the session also supported ongoing professional development for attendees.

This lecture underscored the importance of collaboration between academia and industry, offering valuable knowledge to professionals working on challenging geotechnical projects. The SAICE Geotechnical Division extends its gratitude to the speakers and attendees for making this event a success.

For those who missed the session, recordings and key takeaways may be made available through the SAICE Geotechnical Division’s updated website as soon as possible. Stay tuned for future events that continue to inspire and inform our community.