IMWA wants to attract young scientists and engineers into the field of mine water management. Therefore, IMWA will award a cash prize to the best technical paper written and presented by a student at an IMWA Congress or Symposium. Students from around the world are invited to participate.
Five cash prizes will be awarded for the two best PhD student presentations and the two best Master's or Bachelor's student presentations (€ 700 and € 500, respectively). In addition, the best student poster presentation will receive € 500. Eligible students must be full-time, and the quality of their oral presentation will be judged by conference participants. Students must confirm their full-time student status when submitting their papers. Presenters must provide a letter from their university confirming their status and contact details. Until 2024, cash prizes of € 1,500 (1st prize) and € 500 (2nd prize) were awarded.
The award will be presented at the IMWA conference, and the student needs to be the first author and presenter. During the conference, the Organising Committee will ensure that all eligible papers are presented on time. IMWA hopes that this award will encourage young students and researchers from around the world to write and present a good paper for an IMWA conference.
Award Winners
2026
PhD students
1st prize Norberto Jr Aquino
Aquino, Norberto Jr; Salifu, Musah; Novikova, Ksenia; Månsson, Erik; Ronne, Erik; Alakangas, Lena (2026): Mechanisms of Arsenic (As) release and retention during Fenton treatment of mine wastewater. – In: Kim, D.-M., Mühlbauer, R., Wolkersdorfer, Ch.: International Mine Water Association Conference – Sustainability & Efficiency. – p. 7–11; Jeongseon (International Mine Water Association).
2nd prize Mariam Taki
Taki, Mariam; Flipo, Nicolas; Goetz, Damien (2026): Global copper supply under climate-driven water stress: a proof of concept. – In: Kim, D.-M., Mühlbauer, R., Wolkersdorfer, Ch.: International Mine Water Association Conference – Sustainability & Efficiency. – p. 452–457; Jeongseon (International Mine Water Association).
Master and Bachelor students
1st prize Mariel Castillo
Chun, Chan Lan; Larson, Britta; Thompson, John; Castillo, Mariel; Washburn, Spencer; Dufresne, Kevin; Kolka, Randy (2026): Design and operation of a scalable electrochemical–biological sulfur bioreactor for mine water treatment. – In: Kim, D.-M., Mühlbauer, R., Wolkersdorfer, Ch.: International Mine Water Association Conference – Sustainability & Efficiency. – p. 85–90; Jeongseon (International Mine Water Association).
2nd prize Itsuki Sugiura
Sugiura, Itsuki; Park, Ilhwan; Jeon, Sanghee; Tabelin, Carlito; Ito, Mayumi (2026): Microencapsulation for suppressing acid mine drainage formation: Applications in mineral processing and metallurgical operations. – In: Kim, D.-M., Mühlbauer, R., Wolkersdorfer, Ch.: International Mine Water Association Conference – Sustainability & Efficiency. – p. 439–444; Jeongseon (International Mine Water Association).
Best Student Poster
Young-Min Kim
Kim, Young-Min; Kim, Duk-Min; Lee, Ki-Rim; Jung, Jee-Hyun; Park, Seong-Sook; Kwon, Oh-Hun; Park, Jung-Sik (2026): Factors influencing difference between theoretical and actual lime dosages including lime concentration and dosing rate. – In: Kim, D.-M., Mühlbauer, R., Wolkersdorfer, Ch.: International Mine Water Association Conference – Sustainability & Efficiency. – p. 267–271; Jeongseon (International Mine Water Association).
2025
PhD students
1st prize Norberto Jr Aquino
Aquino, Norberto Jr; Butar Butar, Dantie; Papadopoulou, Kyriaki; Cwirzen, Andrzej; Alakangas, Lena (2025): Preliminary Leaching Performance of Slag-Blended Cement for the Stabilization of Pyrite-Bearing Waste Rock. – In: Valente, T., Mühlbauer, R., Ordóñez, A., Wolkersdorfer, Ch.: International Mine Water Association Conference – Time to Come. – p. 64–69; Braga (International Mine Water Association).
2nd prize Linda Zaniboni
Zaniboni, Linda; Dino, Giovanna Antonella; Lasagna, Manuela; Horta Ribeiro Antunes, Isabel Margarida; De Luca, Domenico Antonio (2025): Post-mining water-soil interaction in Au-mine area: Piedmont region (NW Italy) case studies. – In: Valente, T., Mühlbauer, R., Ordóñez, A., Wolkersdorfer, Ch.: International Mine Water Association Conference – Time to Come. – p. 1035–1041; Braga (International Mine Water Association).
Master and Bachelor students
1st prize Judith L. Jaeger Collantes
Jaeger-Collantes, Judith L.; Barquero-Peralbo, José I.; Jiménez-Oyola, Samantha T.; Bacale-Mbengono, Feliciano M.; García-Ordiales, Efrén; Higueras, Pablo L. (2025): Probabilistic analysis of human health risks linked to Procambarus Clarkii consumption in Almadén Hg Mining District. – In: Valente, T., Mühlbauer, R., Ordóñez, A., Wolkersdorfer, Ch.: International Mine Water Association Conference – Time to Come. – p. 452–457; Braga (International Mine Water Association).
2nd prize Mungisi Mahlangu
Mahlangu, Mlungisi; Maree, Jahannes Philippus; More, Kagiso Samuel (2025): Treatment of Leachate with Pipe Freeze Crystallization. – In: Valente, T., Mühlbauer, R., Ordóñez, A., Wolkersdorfer, Ch.: International Mine Water Association Conference – Time to Come. – p. 585–591; Braga (International Mine Water Association).
Best Student Poster
Ana Barroso
Barroso, Ana Raquel; Cravotta III, Charles A.; Gomes, Patrícia; Horta Ribeiro, Isabel Margarida; Marinho Reis, Amélia Paula; Valente, Teresa Maria (2025): Improved Acidity Estimation by Integrating Comprehensive Dissolved Metal(oid)s Data: A Geochemical Modeling Case Study of Highly Mineralized Mine Waters. – In: Valente, T., Mühlbauer, R., Ordóñez, A., Wolkersdorfer, Ch.: International Mine Water Association Conference – Time to Come. – p. 97–101; Braga (International Mine Water Association).
2024
1st prize Laura Nina Bettoni
Bettoni, Laura Nina; Herbert, Roger (2024): Sulfate removal from mine drainage at low temperature: effects of three reactive porous media on microbial sulfate reduction. – In: Kleinmann, B., Skousen, J., Wolkersdorfer, Ch.: West Virginia Mine Drainage Task Force Symposium & 15th International Mine Water Association Congress. – p. 50–56; Morgantown, WV, USA (International Mine Water Association).
2nd prize Hernan Flores
Flores, Hernan; Reker, Bastian; Pawlik, Marcin; Haske, Benjamin; Rudolph, Tobias (2024): Hyperspectral UAS-sensing for tailing ponds monitoring: Towards responsible resource repurposing. – In: Kleinmann, B., Skousen, J., Wolkersdorfer, Ch.: West Virginia Mine Drainage Task Force Symposium & 15th International Mine Water Association Congress. – p. 196–202; Morgantown, WV, USA (International Mine Water Association).
2023
1st prize Dileesha Jayahansani Kotte Hewa
Kotte Hewa, Dileesha Jayahansani; Durce, Delphine; Salah, Sonia; Smolders, Erik (2023): Rare Earth Elements Association with Predominant Elements in Solids Precipitated during Alkalinization of Acid Mine Water. Paper presented at the IMWA 2023 – Y Dyfodol | The Future, Newport, Wales, UK. – p. 196–202; (International Mine Water Association).
2nd prize Vimbainashe L. Dzimbanhete
Dzimbanhete, Vimbainashe L; Hegg, Frej; Alakangas, Lena; Karlsson, Torbjörn; Peinerud, Elsa; Paulsson, Oscar; Aiglsperger, Thomas (2023): Uranium Sources And Mobility At An Iron Ore Mine Site In Northern Sweden. Paper presented at the IMWA 2023 – Y Dyfodol | The Future, Newport, Wales, UK. – p. 148–153; (International Mine Water Association).
3nd prize Dayton Dorman
Dorman, Dayton M; Nairn, Robert W (2023): Effect of Time and Mineralogy on Sorption Capacity of Mine Drainage Passive Treatment Residuals: Is Sustainable Reuse Possible? Paper presented at the IMWA 2023 – Y Dyfodol | The Future, Newport, Wales, UK. – p. 142–147; (International Mine Water Association).
2022
1st prize Aaron Martin Lawrence Todd
Todd, Aaron Martin Lawrence; Robertson, Iain; Walsh, Rory P.D.; Byrne, Patrick; Edwards, Paul; Williams, Tom (2022): Using Tracer Injection and Synoptic Sampling, and Salt Dilution Flow to Gauge Metal Fluxes in a Temperate Watershed in the UK. Paper presented at the IMWA 2022 – Reconnect, Christchurch, New Zealand. – p. 497–502; (International Mine Water Association).
2nd prize Devmi Kurukulasuriya
Kurukulasuriya, Devmi; Howcroft, William; Meredith, Karina; Timms, Wendy (2022): The Conundrum of Incongruent Multiple Age Tracer Results in Mine Water. Paper presented at the IMWA 2022 – Reconnect, Christchurch, New Zealand. – p. 195–200; (International Mine Water Association).
2021
1st prize Melisa Alejandra Isgró
Isgró, Melisa Alejandra; Basallote, María Dolores; Barbero, Luis (2021): Prediction Of Water Quality Parameters Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Multispectral Imagery In Acidic Water Bodies In The Iberian Pyrite Belt (Tharsis, SW Spain). – In: Stanley, P.; Wolkersdorfer, Ch.; Wolkersdorfer, K.: Mine Water Management for Future Generations. – p. 200–205; Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom (Natural Resources Wales, The Coal Authority, Welsh Government, Cardiff University).
2nd prize Elke Mugova
Mugova, Elke; Wolkersdorfer, Christian (2021): Dewatering, Flooding and Stratification of Nikolaus-Bader small-scale Gold Mining Shaft in Austria. – In: Stanley, P.; Wolkersdorfer, Ch.; Wolkersdorfer, K.: Mine Water Management for Future Generations. – p. 393–397; Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom (Natural Resources Wales, The Coal Authority, Welsh Government, Cardiff University).
3nd prize Aaron Martin Lawrence Todd (Brown)
Todd, Aaron M.L.; Robertson, Iain; Walsh, Rory P.D.; Byrne, Patrick; Edwards, Paul; Williams, Tom (2021): Source Apportionment of Trace Metals at the Abandoned Nantymwyn Lead-Zinc Mine, Wales. – In: Stanley, P.; Wolkersdorfer, Ch.; Wolkersdorfer, K.: Mine Water Management for Future Generations. – p. 563–568; Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom (Natural Resources Wales, The Coal Authority, Welsh Government, Cardiff University).
2019
1st prize Tamlyn Sasha Naidu
Naidu, Tamlyn Sasha; Van Dyk, Lizelle Doreen; Sheridan, Craig Michael; Higginson, Antony (2019): Acid Mine Drainage Pilot Remediation System using Waste Products from the Steel Manufacturing and Sugar Industries. – In: Khayrulina, E.; Wolkersdorfer, Ch.; Polyakova, S.; Bogush, A.: Mine Water – Technological and Ecological Challenges. – p. 121–127; Perm, Russia (Perm State University).
2nd prize Alireza Arab
Arab, Alireza; Merkel, Broder (2019): Heat and Mineral Mining by adding CO2 to Deep Groundwater. – In: Khayrulina, E.; Wolkersdorfer, Ch.; Polyakova, S.; Bogush, A.: Mine Water – Technological and Ecological Challenges. – p. 403–409; Perm, Russia (Perm State University).
2018
1st prize Patrizia Onnis
Onnis, Patrizia; Byrne, Patrick; Hudson-Edwards, Karen A.; Stott, Tim; Hunt, Christopher (2018): Source Apportionment of Trace Metals Over a Range of Stream Flows Using a Multi-method Tracer Approach. – In: Wolkersdorfer, Ch.; Sartz, L.; Weber, A.; Burgess, J. & Tremblay, G.: Mine Water – Risk to Opportunity (Vol II). – p. 843–849; Pretoria, South Africa (Tshwane University of Technology).
2nd prize Donald Mjonono
Mjonono, Donald; Harrison, Sue; Kotsiopoulos, Athanasios (2018): Development Of Co-Disposal Methods For Fine Coal Waste and Coal Discards To Facilitate The Prevention Of Acid Mine Drainage. – In: Wolkersdorfer, Ch.; Sartz, L.; Weber, A.; Burgess, J. & Tremblay, G.: Mine Water – Risk to Opportunity (Vol I). – p. 541–548; Pretoria, South Africa (Tshwane University of Technology).
Best Poster Award Musah Salifu
Salifu, Musah; Alakangas, Lena; Martinsson, Olof; Billström, Kjell; Ingri, Johan; Dold, Bernhard (2018): Sr/Ca and 87Sr/86Sr: A Tracer For Geochemical Process In Mine Wastes. – In: Wolkersdorfer, Ch.; Sartz, L.; Weber, A.; Burgess, J. & Tremblay, G.: Mine Water – Risk to Opportunity (Vol II). – p. 723–729; Pretoria, South Africa (Tshwane University of Technology).
2017
1st prize Elsa Nyström
Nyström, Elsa; Kaasalainen, Hanna; Alakangas, Lena (2017): Prevention of Sulfide Oxidation in Waste Rock using By-products and Industrial Remnants, a Suitability Study. – In: Wolkersdorfer, C.; Sartz, L.; Sillanpää, M. & Häkkinen, A.: Mine Water & Circular Economy (Vol II). – p. 1170–1178; Lappeenranta, Finland (Lappeenranta University of Technology).
2nd prize Malibongwe Shadrach Manono
Manono, Malibongwe Shadrach; Matibidi, K.; Thubakgale, C.K.; Corin, K.C.; Wiese, J.G. (2017): Water Quality in PGM Ore Flotation: The effect of Ionic Strength and pH. – In: Wolkersdorfer, C.; Sartz, L.; Sillanpää, M. & Häkkinen, A.: Mine Water & Circular Economy (Vol II). – p. 777–785; Lappeenranta, Finland (Lappeenranta University of Technology).
Best Student Paper Thitiphan Assawincharoenkij
Assawincharoenkij, Thitiphan; Hauzenberger, Christoph; Sutthirat, Chakkaphan (2017): Mineralogical and Geochemical Characteristics of Tailings and Waste Rocks from a Gold Mine in Northeastern Thailand. – In: Wolkersdorfer, C.; Sartz, L.; Sillanpää, M. & Häkkinen, A.: Mine Water & Circular Economy (Vol II). – p. 1277–1279; Lappeenranta, Finland (Lappeenranta University of Technology).
2016
1st prize Lidia Fernandez-Rojo | Michael Gordon Sephton | Josepha Zielke-Olivier
Zielke-Olivier, Josepha; Vermeulen, D. (2016): Fine Ash Leaching in Tailings Dams – An Impact on the Underlying Aquifers? – p. 348–355; Freiberg, Germany (Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg).
Fernandez-Rojo, Lidia; Casiot, C.; Desoeuvre, A.; Braungardt, C.; Torres, E.; Le Pape, P.; Morin, G.; Tardy, V.; Resongles, E.; Delpoux, S.; Boisson, J.; Grapin, G.; Héry, M. (2016): Iron and arsenic removal in a continuous flow reactor treating As-rich acid mine drainage (AMD). – p. 869–875; Freiberg, Germany (Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg).
Sephton, Michael Gordon; Webb, J. (2016): Preliminary results from experiments with Cement slurries to control Acid Mine Drainage in Waste Rocks from Brukunga Mine in South Australia. – p. 720–726; Freiberg, Germany (Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg).
2015
1st prize Laura Laurenzi
Laurenzi, Laura; Mayer, K. Ulrich; Beckie, Roger (2015): A Metal Attenuation Study on Waste Rock Collected from the East Dump, Antamina Mine, Peru: A Combined Mineralogical and Geochemical Approach. – In: Agreeing on solutions for more sustainable mine water management – Proceedings of the 10th ICARD & IMWA Annual Conference. – electronic document (paper 189); Santiago, Chile (GECAMIN).
2nd prize Maria Mäkitalo
Mäkitalo, Maria; Mácsik, J.; Maurice, C.; Öhlander, B. (2015): Improving Till by Adding Green Liquor Dregs in Sealing Layers to Control AMD – A Pilot Study. – In: Agreeing on solutions for more sustainable mine water management – Proceedings of the 10th ICARD & IMWA Annual Conference. – electronic document (paper 032); Santiago, Chile (GECAMIN).
2014
1st prize Alireza Arab
Arab, Alireza; Bertau, Martin; Mischo, Helmut; Merkel, Broder (2014): Enhanced in Situ Leaching (EISLEACH) Mining by Means of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide - TOUGHREACT Modeling. – In: Sui, Wanghua; Sun, Yajun & Wang, Changshen: An Interdisciplinary Response to Mine Water Challenges. – p. 190–194; Xuzhou, China (China University of Mining and Technology).
2nd prize Fatien K.F. Macdonald
Macdonald, Fatien K.F.; Lund, Mark; Blanchette, Melanie; McCullough, C. (2014): Regulation of Artisanal Small Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) in Ghana and Indonesia as Currently Implemented Fails to Adequately Protect Aquatic Ecosystems. – In: Sui, Wanghua; Sun, Yajun & Wang, Changshen: An Interdisciplinary Response to Mine Water Challenges. – p. 401–405; Xuzhou, China (China University of Mining and Technology).
2013
1st prize Bronwyn P Camden-Smith
Camden-Smith, Bronwyn P; Johnson, Raymond H; Richardson, Robert; Billing, David G; Tutu, Hlanganani (2013): Investigating the potential impact of efflorescent mineral crusts on water quality: complementing analytical techniques with geochemical modelling. – In: Brown, A.; Figueroa, L. & Wolkersdorfer, Ch.: Reliable Mine Water Technology (Vol I). – p. 281–287; Denver, Colorado, USA (Publication Printers).
2nd prize Ashley Jones
Jones, Ashley; Rogerson, Micheal; Greenway, Gillian; Mayes, William Matthew (2013): Controls on zinc uptake from circum-neutral mine drainage in freshwater biofilms. – In: Brown, A.; Figueroa, L. & Wolkersdorfer, Ch.: Reliable Mine Water Technology (Vol I). – p. 383–390; Denver, Colorado, USA (Publication Printers).
2012
1st prize Sanaz Orandi
Orandi, S., Lewis, D. M., Eslami, A. & Mohebbi, A. (2012): A novel approach to exploit indigenous mining algal-microbes in a photo-rotating biological contactor for heavy metal removal from acid mine drainage. – In: McCullough, C. D., Lund, M. A. & Wyse, L.: International Mine Water Association Symposium. – p. 231–236, 1 fig.; Bunbury (Edith Cowan University).
2nd prize Elvis Fosso-Kankeu
Fosso-Kankeu, E., Mulaba-Bafubiandi, A. F., Tlou, G. & Piater, L. (2012): The next step in the bioremediation of heavy metal polluted water - development of suitable microbial-sorbent. – In: McCullough, C. D., Lund, M. A. & Wyse, L.: International Mine Water Association Symposium. – p. 593–599, 3 fig., 1 tab.; Bunbury (Edith Cowan University).
2011
1st prize Neehal Mooruth
Mooruth, Neehal (2011): Passive Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage via a Linear Flow Channel Reactor utilising a Floating Sulphur Biofilm. – In: Rüde, R. T., Freund, A. & Wolkersdorfer, Ch.: Mine Water – Managing the Challenges. - p. 411–415; Aachen, Germany.
2nd prize Elisee Nsimba Bakatula
Bakatula, Elisee Nsimba; Cukrowska, Ewa; Straker, Colin; Weiersbye, Isabel; Tutu, Hlanganani (2011): Biosorption of metals from gold mine wastewaters by Penicillium simplicissimum immobilized on zeolite: Kinetic, equilibrium and thermodynamic studies. – In: Rüde, R. T., Freund, A. & Wolkersdorfer, Ch.: Mine Water – Managing the Challenges. - p. 271–275; Aachen, Germany.
2010
1st prize Benoît Plante
Plante, Benoît; Benzaazoua, Mostafa; Pepin, Geneviève; Bussière, Bruno (2010): Evaluation of the Ni-contaminated neutral drainage generation potential in the Tio mine waste rocks. – In: Wolkersdorfer, Ch. & Freund, A.: Mine Water & Innovative Thinking. – p. 391–395; Sydney, Nova Scotia (CBU Press).
2nd prize Jennifer Geroni
Geroni, Jennifer Nia (2010): The potential for semi-passive mine water treatment by CO₂ stripping at Ynysarwed, S.Wales. – In: Wolkersdorfer, Ch. & Freund, A.: Mine Water & Innovative Thinking. – p. 123–127; Sydney, Nova Scotia (CBU Press).
2009
Alison Turner | Dyllon Randall
Turner, A., Braungardt, C., Worsfold, P., Rieuwerts, J., Williamson, B. & Potter, H. (2009): Dynamic Up-Flow Percolation Tests – A Model for Mining Waste Leachate Generation. – In: Water Institute of Southern Africa & International Mine Water Association: Proceedings, International Mine Water Conference. – p. 858–867, 7 fig., 1 tab.; Pretoria (Document Transformation Technologies).
Randall, D., Nathoo, J. & Lewis, A. E. (2009): Seeding for Selective Salt Recovery during Eutectic Freeze Crystallization. – In: Water Institute of Southern Africa & International Mine Water Association: Proceedings, International Mine Water Conference. – p. 639–648, 11 fig., 1 tab.; Pretoria (Document Transformation Technologies).
