Industrial and Mining Water Research Unit (IMWaRU)

Water is unarguably the most pressing requirement for all living organisms, including man.  However, both the supply and quality of water have become threatened due to, amongst others, population expansion, climate change and the deterioration of quality water sources. 

At the School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering (University of the Witwatersrand), we have identified Water Research as one of our focal thrusts.  This forms part of our drive to conduct world-class research and align our school with the Wits 2022 Vision; viz. to become a top 100 University in the world by 2022. 

We strive to achieve the WITS 2022 goal through the following means:

• Conducting blue sky research in specialist areas with a goal to being innovative;
• Conducting applied research towards solving specific challenges;
• Promoting the publication of our research in appropriate internationally recognised journals;
• Producing top quality post-graduate students;
• Raising funds to provide world class facilities to conduct our research; and
• Promoting sustainable chemical engineering through education, knowledge transfer and dissemination.

As part of our strategy, we, Kevin Harding and Craig Sheridan, have founded the Industrial and Mining Water Research Unit (IMWaRU) within our School.  The purpose of IMwaRU is twofold:

(1) To provide a platform aligned to the mining industry, the chemical industry and society upon which we conduct our research; and

(2) To develop the identity of the staff and students within the school as active water researchers.

Research Opportunities:

The following research opportunities exisit:

- Full-time MSc looking at the use of charcoal in the treatment of Acid Mine Drainage (AMD).  For further details, email Craig Sheridan (craig.sheridan@wits.ac.za)