Canadian expertise in dam safety is recognized around the world. Through its participation in ICOLD and other international events, CDA members engage with dam safety practitioners around the world. These connections have now resulted in the presentation of three CDA workshops in Namibia in August.
Supported by Knight-Piesold in Namibia, four CDA instructors will present Dam Safety Reviews, Emergency Management for Dams and Tailings Dam Breach Analysis over three days, August 1-3, 2026. The workshops have been scheduled to take place just prior to Mining Expo Namibia, to make it more convenient for mining dam engineers in southern Africa to attend the events.
Véronique Daigle of Knight-Piésold, who is coordinating the events locally in Windhoek, Namibia, is excited to see the CDA workshops come to southern Africa. “It is an amazing opportunity to have the CDA bring these well-recognized workshops to the region,” says Daigle. “While many dam owners and engineering firms use the CDA bulletins as world renowned guidance, professionals in southern Africa don’t often have access to the CDA authors of these publications, or high-quality interactive workshops of this type.”
Daigle added, “It’s also a great opportunity to get together as an industry in the region, and network around dam safety”. Mohamad Al-Mamun of the CDA’s International Committee has spearheaded the effort from the CDA side. “We are thrilled to work with our international partners to spread the reach of the CDA’s guidance material in Africa,” says AlMamun. “This initiative is a testament to the broad reach and value of the CDA’s international work.” Companies active in southern Africa are encouraged to send their engineers, and consider becoming a sponsor of the initiative.
