Innovation in MiningConference 2026
Building Safer, Smarter & Human-Centred Mines of the Future
Awareness → Responsible Implementation
TELEM_LINK: ACTIVE
FEED: SAFETY · AI · PDS
Speakers and sponsors already on board
A first look at the voices on stage and the brands backing the 2026 conference.
“Day 1 Opening Address”
“The Just Innovation Transition”
“Ushering the Old into the New, the Just Innovation Transition”
Proud to welcome our main sponsors.
The brands backing Innovation in Mining Conference 2026.
Two days. One connected mining innovation journey.
Technology, operations, safety, people, governance, academia and implementation woven across both days.
Day 1 helps delegates see the full mining innovation system. It connects automation, robotics, AI, PDS, edge computing, missing-person location systems, operational readiness, safety, people, governance and research.
Day 2 builds on the conversations of Day 1 and shifts toward adoption pathways, collaboration and industry commitments. It continues to blend technology, safety, people, governance, academia and operations.
Highlights from the previous conference
Live technology demonstrations, exhibitor stands, plenary sessions and the networking that turns conversations into collaboration.
The Just Innovation Transition
Mining innovation must be safety-led, people-centred, evidence-based, legally defensible and practical in real mining environments.
PDS, AI cameras, emergency response, missing-person location, high-risk equipment interfaces and operational risk reduction.
Automation, robotics, edge computing, remote operations, data intelligence, connected mines and digital transformation.
Digital literacy, competency frameworks, future skills, knowledge transfer, workforce readiness and skills retention.
Adoption pathways, governance, operating discipline, change management, legal defensibility and measurable outcomes.
"Innovation must not happen to people. It must happen with people."
From 4IRinMining to Innovation in Mining
A stronger platform for a more mature mining industry conversation.
A platform that introduced mining professionals to digitalisation, automation, connected mines and future technologies.
The conversation shifted from 'what is 4IR?' to 'how do we implement innovation safely and practically?'
A broader platform connecting technology, safety, operations, people, governance, academia and implementation.
A new organising theme for building safer, smarter and human-centred mines of the future.
"The future of mining will not be shaped by technology alone. It will be shaped by how technology is implemented with people, safety, governance and operational discipline."
The mining innovation conversation has evolved
The journey began with 4IRinMining, a platform created to help the mining sector understand the possibilities of digitalisation, connectivity, automation, intelligent systems and the mines of the future.
That conversation was important. But the industry has matured.
Mining is no longer only asking: What is 4IR?
Mining is now asking: How do we implement innovation safely, responsibly and practically in active mining environments?
The Innovation in Mining Conference 2026 responds to this shift. It moves the platform beyond technology awareness into implementation discipline, connecting technology, operations, safety, people, governance, academia and suppliers into one integrated industry conversation.
To reflect that maturity, the platform has also evolved in name and scale, transitioning from a seminar into a full industry conference. What began as a focused learning forum has grown into a national convening of mining leaders, operators, regulators, academia, suppliers and future talent, designed to drive implementation and commitment, not just dialogue.
Digitalisation, automation, 4IR and future mining technology exposure.
Practical adoption, mine-site readiness, operating discipline and measurable outcomes.
Collaboration between mining houses, professional bodies, academia, suppliers and future talent.
Six transition pillars. One integrated experience.
These pillars guide the content but do not divide the event into disconnected conversations. They are woven across both days.
Winch PDS, AI cameras, rail-bound equipment safety, Missing Person's Locator systems, underground tracking, emergency preparedness and operational risk reduction.
Automation, robotics, autonomous drilling, autonomous hauling, remote operations, mechanisation readiness, hard-rock implementation and operating model change.
Digital literacy, workforce readiness, competency frameworks, future skills, training, scarce skills retention and human-centred innovation adoption.
High-risk discipline, evidence, procedural integrity, responsible adoption, policy alignment, accountability and legally defensible implementation.
Research-to-implementation pathways, university-industry collaboration, mock mine digitalisation, student innovation, testing environments and ultra-deep mining solutions.
Soft-rock, hard-rock, surface, underground, ultra-deep, narrow tabular, future minerals, critical minerals and cross-commodity learning.
An integrated two-day journey
Because the future of mining is being implemented now.
Gain insight into how mining innovation is moving from awareness to implementation.
Discover technologies, research and solutions being applied to safety, automation, emergency response and digital mining.
Connect with mining houses, engineers, regulators, associations, suppliers, researchers, students and professional bodies.
Participate in cross-disciplinary conversations that connect technology, people, safety, governance and operations.
Identify partnership opportunities across mining houses, suppliers, academia and institutions.
Leave with practical insight, relationships and next-step commitments.
Associations & institutions growing the platform
The 2026 conference brings these voices together into one integrated programme.
Mining, operational and technical depth, automation, robotics, autonomous drilling and hauling, remote operations, mechanisation readiness in narrow tabular and hard-rock environments.
Safety, engineering and emergency-response dimensions, Winch PDS, AI camera systems with on-the-edge computing, rail-bound equipment and Missing Person's Locator systems.
People, HR, governance and workplace capability, high-risk discipline, legal defensibility, digital literacy, competency frameworks, evidence-based decision-making and skills retention.
University of Pretoria, the University of Johannesburg Mock Mine, Wits University and UNISA, connecting research to implementation.
Put your brand where the future of mining is being shaped.
This is not a generic trade show. It is a focused mining innovation platform connecting your brand with mining professionals, technical influencers, decision-makers, associations, academia, suppliers and future talent.
Wits Education Campus, Johannesburg
The Innovation in Mining Conference 2026 will take place at Wits University in Johannesburg, bringing together industry and academia in a setting that supports research, learning, innovation and future-focused mining dialogue.
27 St Andrews Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193Wits Education Campus, Lesedi Block, L101
Full venue and delegate logistics will be confirmed closer to the event.
Venue details
The future of mining will not be built in silos.
Mining houses need suppliers who understand operational reality. Suppliers need access to real mining challenges. Researchers need industry pathways. Students need exposure and mentorship. Engineers need implementation evidence. Safety leaders need integrated solutions.
The Innovation in Mining Conference brings the ecosystem together.