HOSTED BY: The Fossil Fuel Foundation in association with North-West University
DATES: Tuesday 24 & Wednesday 25 November 2015
VENUE: North-West University, Potchefstroom, New Engineering Building (N1).
INTRODUCTION
Many universities, research Institutes and industrial research laboratories in South Africa involved in coal
related research have the potential and manpower to contribute significantly to the country’s industrial
development and training of high level manpower. There is however, a need to improve the communication
amongst these organisations and researchers involved to achieve the urgent national objectives with respect
to the utilisation of available coal and related reserves. For this purpose the Fossil Fuel Foundation of Africa
organises conferences to promote dialog and co-operation amongst researchers from universities, research
institutes and interested parties from industry in collaboration with other professional organisations. The
second national student research conference will be held this year during November at the North-West
University Campus in Potchefstroom, at which students, research advisers from universities and industry,
active industrial researchers and interested delegates will discuss current research activities in South Africa.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this conference is to provide a forum for research students and industrial researchers to
present research results related to coal beneficiation and coal/biomass utilisation in order to stimulate and
develop an active research community in coal and biomass science and technology in South Africa. This will
be a national meeting with invited research leaders and experts from industry and universities to provide
guidance and advice to students and other researchers to ensure high quality and relevant research to the
benefit of post graduate education programmes and industrial development in South Africa.
CONFERENCE CONTENT
The conference will attract a diverse audience from universities and industry and focus on many aspects of
coal science, technology, and related areas of interest. It is expected that topics relevant to the South African
coal related industries will be discussed which will include characterisation, beneficiation, coking (pyrolysis)
and related carbon products for the metallurgical industry, combustion, gasification co-firing (biomass) and
coal derived high value products, with emphasis on new technologies, efficiency and clean coal technology
(CCT and CCS) .
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
The following is invited to attend.

Research students including undergraduate and post graduate students from all Universities in
Southern Africa. Presentation of results by senior students (completed projects) would be preferred

Researchers from research institutes and industry. Delegates are invited to present results or
participate actively in discussion.

Research managers and experts involved in research planning and guidance. To provide expert
advice by means of plenary and papers and debate.

Government legislators and policy makers. To become aware of coal related research in South Africa.

Delegates from coal related industries and institutes who have interest in current trends in coal and
biomass research.
CLICK HERE for the Registration Form
KEY DATES
Notification of acceptance of abstracts
25 October 2015
Registration closes
16 November 2015
Final programme
31 October 2015
PRESENTATIONS
All presentations and posters must be compiled according to the guidelines that will be supplied to the
authors, together with acceptance notices. Oral presentations must be in power point and must not exceed
15 minutes, to allow 5 minutes of discussion. CPD credits (certificates) will also be awarded. All FFF
conferences are open to the media.
The language of the conference is English.
SOCIAL EVENT
There will be a braai at the end of day one.
ACCOMMODATION
Please make your own arrangements directly with the guest houses and hotels in Potchefstroom. The
following guesthouses or hotels are within distance:
Name
Rate
(p/p per night)
Distance from
University
Contact number
Adato
Akkerlaan (4star)
Ancient Emperors Guesthouse
Anne's Place
Astro Villa
De Oude Molen
R 350.00
R 485.00
R 900.00
R 900.00
R 330.00
R 450.00
1.9km
2km
1km
4.5km
500m
1km
018 294 5244
018 293 1213
018 294 4944
082 335 1295
018 299 4141
083 297 6244
Gracias Guesthouse
R 400.00
1km
018 297 5040
Huys ten Bosch
R 480.00
1km
018 294 4310
Ma Cavhette
R 700.00
1km
018 297 6980
On Golden Pond
R 525.00
600m
082 368 7394
Oudrift Guesthouse
R 595.00
1km
018 297 4939
Road Lodge
R 550.00
6km
018 293 9300
Sports Village
R 765.00
1.2km
018 299 1111
Tapestry Garden (4star)
R750-R1300
3.4km
018 297 4856
Willows Hotel
R 825.00
7km
018 297 6285
* A shuttle service will be arranged for delegates staying more than 5 km from the campus.
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
Professor Raymond Everson, North-West University (Chairman) (ray.everson@nwu.ac.za)
Professor Rosemary Falcon, University of the Witwatersrand
Professor Nikki Wagner, University of Johannesburg
Professor John Bunt, North-West University
Professor Quentin Campbell, North-West University
Professor Sanette Marx, North-West University
Professor Christien Strydom North-West University
Professor Marco le Roux, North-West University.
Professor Hein Neomagus, North-West University
Professor Frans Waanders, North-West University
Dr Dawie Branken, North-West University
Dr. Heinrich Badenhorst, University of Pretoria
Professor Herman Potgieter, University of the Witwatersrand
SPONSORSHIP & ADVERTISING
Please email events@rca.co.za for more information.
CONFERENCE SECRETARIAT
RCA Conference Organisers
Michelle Stegen
Tel: 011 483 1861/2
Email: events@rca.co.za
NWU CONFERENCE ORGANISERS
Yolande Bullock
Tel: 018 285 2288
Email: yolande.bullock@nwu.ac.za
Doret Potgieter
Tel: 018 299 1385
Email: doret.potgieter@nwu.ac.za