Hoist & Haul 2027 — Cape Town, South Africa
Hoist & Haul 2027 is a major international technical conference focused on mine hoisting and haulage technologies—the systems used to safely and efficiently move people, materials and ore within underground mining operations. The conference takes place April 5–7, 2027, at the Century City Conference Centre in Cape Town, followed by technical mine visits on April 8–9 showcasing South African mining operations.
The conference has deep roots in South Africa's leadership in deep and ultra-deep mining. The Hoist & Haul conference series originated in Johannesburg in 1973, when South African mines were pioneering deeper shafts, new hoisting systems and revised approaches to mine-hoist safety. Hoist & Haul 2027 builds on that history while asking how the industry must evolve over the next 50 years as mines become deeper and face increasing demands for safety, productivity, sustainability, energy efficiency and lower environmental impacts.
The technical program is particularly relevant to mining innovation and technology commercialization. Topics include automation and autonomous mining, robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, digital twins, predictive maintenance, advanced hoist controls, collision avoidance, functional safety, real-time equipment monitoring, shaft and hoist modernization, and next-generation hoisting systems. The program also addresses how new technologies can enable mines to operate safely and economically at depths exceeding 4,000 metres.
The event is intended to bring together mine operators, engineering companies, equipment manufacturers, technology suppliers, researchers, academics, students and mining professionals from around the world. Organizers project attendance of 400+ participants, with sponsorship and exhibition opportunities providing companies with a platform to demonstrate technologies and connect directly with the international mining industry.
In one sentence: Hoist & Haul 2027 is an international mining technology conference examining how advanced engineering, automation, AI, robotics and new hoisting and haulage technologies can make the next generation of deep mines safer, more productive, efficient and sustainable, while showcasing South Africa's historic and continuing leadership in deep-level mining.
For CEMI/MICA, this looks particularly relevant because it sits directly at the intersection of mine operator challenges, technology suppliers, commercialization and deployment of mining innovation—and could potentially complement MICA's South Africa activities in 2027.