Addis Ababa will host an international symposium on Sustainable Mining and Circular Engineering on March 17, 2026, bringing together leading scientists, policymakers, and industry experts from Ethiopia and Austria.
The event, organized by Addis Ababa University in collaboration with the Austrian Embassy and Montanuniversität Leoben, marks another milestone in the growing scientific and diplomatic cooperation between the two countries. Around 100 participants are expected to attend the forum, which will focus on critical global challenges such as raw material security and the transition toward a circular economy.
Montanuniversität Leoben—one of Europe’s leading universities specializing in mining, metallurgy, and circular engineering—will send a delegation of 12 scientists to participate in the symposium’s technical discussions.
Five academic chairs from the Austrian institution will present their latest research, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening capacity in Ethiopia’s mining sector and across the African continent.
Over the past year, collaboration between Montanuniversität Leoben and Addis Ababa University has steadily expanded through institutional visits and academic exchanges. The upcoming symposium is expected to further reinforce this partnership.
A central theme of the forum will be innovation and sustainability in the management of natural resources. Discussions will focus on four key areas: sustainable resource extraction aimed at minimizing the environmental impact of mining; circular engineering approaches that rethink the lifecycle of raw materials; advanced recycling technologies for recovering valuable resources; and responsible mining management practices that promote environmentally conscious leadership.
The collaboration will extend beyond the symposium itself. On March 18 and 19, researchers from both institutions will convene for dedicated working sessions to develop joint project proposals and outline long-term cooperation frameworks.
These discussions are expected to support Ethiopia’s industrial development by promoting knowledge exchange and facilitating technology transfer in the mining and resource management sectors.
