Stone Three Technical Visit
📅 Friday, 23 October 2026
Background
Stone Three, located at 24 Gardner Williams Ave, Paardevlei, Somerset West, is an industrial IoT and AI company specialising in advanced machine vision, mineral processing optimisation, and data intelligence solutions. Founded in 2000, they provide smart sensors, remote process monitoring, and advanced process control to industries like minerals processing.
Itinerary — Friday, 23 October 2026
| 07:30 | Bus departs from Cape Town International Convention Centre, CTICC (Conference Venue) |
| 09:00 | Arrival at Stone Three and introductions |
| 09:30 | Split into two groups: Group 1 – Sensor production overview (interact with physical sensors and discussions with sensor production team) Group 2 – SmartROC™ (remote operations centre) overview (sensor remote support, advanced process control, generative AI and remote monitoring in practice) |
| 11:00 | Groups swap |
| 12:30 | Final wrap-up |
| 12:45 | Depart for lunch |
| 13:00 | Lunch at a Vineyard in Somerset West |
| 15:30 | Depart for CTICC (Conference venue) |
| 16:30 | Arrival at CTICC (Conference venue) |
Registration Fee: R1 600 p.p. (includes transport and lunch)
Limited to 15 people.
Ore To Shore – The West Coast Discovery
📅 Friday, 23 – Sunday, 25 October 2026
Background
Explore the wonders of South Africa’s West Coast on this immersive field trip. This excursion includes visits to the Kropz Elandsfontein Phosphate Mine and Plant, the world-renowned West Coast National Park, and the fascinatÂing West Coast Fossil Park, all situated within 125km from Cape Town.
Throughout the trip, you'll gain an appreciation for the region's rich geological history — from the natural processes that led to the formation of the Elandsfontein ore deposit to the diverse geological features within the national park. You'll also enjoy the unique local fauna and flora, explore a preserved fossil excavation site, and encounter the remarkable fossils of bears, sabre-toothed cats, short-necked giraffes, and many other extraordinary animals that lived along the West Coast approximately five million years ago.
The field trip will be led by André Van der Westhuizen (Centre for Minerals Research, University of Cape Town) and Emeritus Professor John Compton (Department of Geological Sciences, University of Cape Town).
Itinerary — Friday, 23 October 2026
| 07:00 | Bus departs CTICC (Conference Venue) |
| 09:00 | Bus arrives at Elandsfontein Phosphate Mine (Hopefield). Delegates report to the Elandsfontein Lodge for induction and introductions |
| 11:30 | Delegates split into two groups; one to visit the plant, the other the mine, then the groups swap around. PPE will be provided by Elandsfontein mine |
| 14:30 | Delegates return to the Lodge for lunch, followed by close-out discussion |
| 17:00 | Travel to Langebaan Hotel & Spa (5-star hotel) for overnight stay |
Itinerary — Saturday, 24 October 2026
| 08:30 | Bus leaves accommodation |
| 09:00 | Arrive at West Coast National Park. Spend the day at the park visiting various sites of geological and natural interest. Picnic lunch at Kraalbaai (can include swimming in the Langebaan lagoon) |
| 17:00 | Travel to Langebaan for overnight accommodation |
Itinerary — Sunday, 25 October 2026
| 08:30 | Bus leaves accommodation |
| 09:00 | Arrive at West Coast Fossil Park. Spend the morning at the park. Visit the dig site and exhibition hall. Discussion on old phosphate mine rehabilitation |
| 12:00 | Return to Cape Town |
| 14:00 | Arrival at CTICC (Conference venue) |
Registration Fee: R10 000 p.p. — includes accommodation, meals, travel and park entrance fees, as well as an autographed copy of West Coast: A Natural History by John S. Compton.
Limited to 20 people.
Paterson & Cooke Technical Visit
📅 Tuesday, 20 or Wednesday, 21 October 2026
Background
Founded in 1991, Paterson & Cooke has grown from a small company with an in-house laboratory, originally established to perform basic material property and flow behaviour test work supporting engineering designs, into a leading specialist in the field. Today, the Paterson & Cooke Cape Town metallurgical test facility is the only one in Southern Africa that has integrated all major process units and can conduct independent test work from run-of-mine material through to tailings disposal.
The field trip will be led by senior engineers from Paterson & Cooke. A minimum of 20 participants is required for each session to proceed.
Session Options
- Tuesday, 20 October 2026 at 09:00
- Tuesday, 20 October 2026 at 13:30
- Wednesday, 21 October 2026 at 09:00
- Wednesday, 21 October 2026 at 13:30
Itinerary — Morning Visit (timelines are approximate)
| 09:00 | Bus departs CTICC (Conference venue) |
| 09:30 | Bus arrives at Paterson & Cooke. Welcome and introductions |
| 09:40 | Tours split into groups |
| 11:30 | Refreshments and wrap-up |
| 11:40 | Depart for CTICC (Conference venue) |
Itinerary — Afternoon Visit (timelines are approximate)
| 13:30 | Bus departs CTICC (Conference venue) |
| 14:00 | Bus arrives at Paterson & Cooke. Welcome and introductions |
| 14:10 | Tours split into groups |
| 16:00 | Refreshments and wrap-up |
| 16:10 | Depart for CTICC (Conference venue) |
PPE Requirements: Participants are requested to wear closed shoes. All other PPE will be provided.
Registration Fee: R550 p.p.
Limited to 60 people.