SOMP AGM 2010 Estonia, Tallinn - Innovation in Mining

photos in the World album and map of mining equipment

2011-12-26T04:16:00.000-08:00

How to play? - Machine hunt | Machine hunt:

SOMP AGM 2010 "Innovation in Mining" successfully finished

2010-06-22T22:14:00.000-07:00

Estonian organizers thank all SOMP AGM 2010 delegates for active participation.

Number of participants:

Australia - 7 professors and 4 accompanying persons
Germany -7 professors and 1 accompanying person
Estonia -7 professors
USA - 5 professors and 1 accompanying person
Russia - 4 professors and 3 accompanying persons
Sweden - 4 professors
Poland - 3 professors
Serbia - 3 professors
South-Africa - 3 professors and 1 accompanying persons
Finland - 2 professors
Hungary - 2 professors and 2 accompanying persons
Iran - 2 professors and 1 accompanying person
Italy - 2 professors
the Netherlands - 2 professors
UK - 2 professors
Austria - 1 professor
Belgium - 1 professor
Canada - 1 professor
Croatia - 1 professor
Greece - 1 professor
Namibia - 1 professor
Peru - 1 professor
Slovenia - 1 professor and 1 accompanying person
Spain - 1 professor
Turkey - 1 professor and 1 accompanying person

You can find presentations, photos and other information both from SOMP AGM 2010 web page and from Mineprofs web page.

SOMP AGM 2010 web page
http://mi.ttu.ee/somp2010/

Photos
http://picasaweb.google.com/somp2010

Presentations
http://www.scribd.com/document_collections/2506878

Information sheets
http://www.scribd.com/document_collections/2504001

Mineprofs page
http://www.mineprofs.org/info/annual_meetings/2010/

Social Networks, links and groups
social-networks-for-somp-members

See You next year in Peru!

Ingo Valgma
Past president of SOMP
23.06.2010

From Committee meetings and welcome coctail 18.06.2010, SOMP AGM 2010, Estonia

5th day of SOMP AGM 2010 annual meeting in Tallinn, Estonia, 21.06.2010

2010-06-22T17:03:00.000-07:00

Last day of SOMP AGM 2010 annual meeting in Tallinn, Estonia. During the last day of SOMP AGM 2010 professors and accompanying persons visited historical old town of Tallinn.

4th day of SOMP AGM 2010 annual meeting in Tallinn, Estonia, 21.06.2010

2010-06-22T04:59:00.000-07:00

Option 1. Excursion to Kunda Nordic Cement (Kunda Nordic Tsement AS): Ubja oil shale surface mine, Cement plant, Aru-Lõuna limestone quarry, port of Kunda.

4th day of SOMP AGM 2010 annual meeting in Tallinn, Estonia, 21.06.2010

2010-06-21T22:13:00.000-07:00

Option 2. Excursion to Estonian Energy Mining (Eesti Energia Kaevandused AS): Underground Oil Shale Mine, Oil and Gas's oil Plant, Power-plants.

4th day of SOMP AGM 2010 annual meeting in Tallinn, Estonia, 21.06.2010

2010-06-21T10:13:00.000-07:00

Option 3. Excursion to nuclear waste deposit (AS Silmet, AS Ökosil), oil shale surface mine (Kiviõli Keemiatööstuse OÜ) and clay pit and brick factory (AS Wienerberger).

Program for Accompanying Persons, SOMP AGM 2010, Estonia, 20.06.2010

2010-06-21T00:25:00.000-07:00

During the third day of SOMP AGM 2010 accompanying persons visited Estonian Art Museum KUMU and park of Kadrioru Castle.

3rd day of SOMP AGM 2010 annual meeting in Tallinn, Estonia, 20.06.2010

2010-06-21T00:10:00.000-07:00

Third day of SOMP AGM 2010 annual meeting in Tallinn, Estonia.

Interview with Michael Karmis, Virginia Tech, USA

2010-06-20T11:55:00.000-07:00

Michael Karmis, Virginia Tech, USA

From Committee meetings and welcome coctail 18.06.2010, SOMP AGM 2010, Estonia

"Mining has to be innovational because the conditions have changed tremendously and new technologies are needed. Secondly environmental considerations nowadays, so you have to be really innovative how you mine to minimize the impact. Thirdly you have the issue of safety, which requires a lot of new and innovative techniques."

What should we change in mining education in order to provide the best specialists for the industry?

"I believe on the broad aspects of education rather than specialized, so I would say a strong engineering program, meaning courses outside the mining but still in engineering is fundamental to create a good engineer and the specialization would come in work practice or post graduate degrees."

Could you please define the word mining engineer?

"Mining engineer to me is the engineer who can do it all at the mine site, meaning he has a knowledge of the processes in all aspects of mining and he can handle that without being overly specialized. Does that make sense?!"

Interview with Gian Andrea Blengini, Politecnico di Torino, Italy

2010-06-20T11:52:00.000-07:00

Gian Andrea Blengini, Politecnico di Torino, Italy

From 2nd day of SOMP AGM 2010, Tallinn, Estonia, 19.06.2010

What is the most innovative thing in mining in your opinion?

"In mining? There are lot of thing going on... If I have to talk about Italy... Lets say it’s full integration between traditional mining and recycling. Thinking at the same time about national resources and recycled resources. That’s my opinion!"
How do You like Estonian cuisine?

"I like it very much... I find it interesting."

Interview with Erling Nordlund, Luleå University of Technology, Sweden

2010-06-20T11:45:00.000-07:00

Erling Nordlund, Luleå University of Technology, Sweden

From Committee meetings and welcome coctail 18.06.2010, SOMP AGM 2010, Estonia

How’s the conference so far?

"It’s been nice..."

How would You define the word ‘mining engineer?

"It’s a complex engineering business ranging form basic mechanics, like in block mechanics to management and economy. So I think its very complex. I think what you need to be is generalist and specialist."

How can we change the public opinion of mining?

"Oh that’s a good question! I think one thing is that... It’s difficult! I have one good example. In the Kirnovoro mine, they have a cinema theater where they show movies about the mining and things like that... and you can walk around and see for yourself... When you go there, you are going by bus in the infline. So you see that it’s not these pictures that are usually spread with a very dark hole and scary place. I think that’s the problem all the time. Another problem they have is that they are facing a lot of waste on the ground surface."

Interview with Uday Kumar, Luleå University of Technology, Sweden

2010-06-20T10:39:00.000-07:00

Uday Kumar, Luleå University of Technology, Sweden

From 3rd day of SOMP AGM 2010, Tallinn, Estonia, 20.06.2010

For foreign students is there anything to learn from Estonia and mining engineers?

"Definately! You can learn everywhere something but since I’m not familiar with your research, I can’t tell. There is always to learn!"

How would you define the word mining engineer?

"In nowadays it is the engineer who can manage most of the technologies: economics, engineering. He should be a generalist because mining is not very small, it’s very wide!"
Do you imagine a world without mining?

"NO! I just can’t imagine..."

Interview with Ludger Rattmann, RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Mining Engineering I, Germany

2010-06-20T10:36:00.000-07:00

Ludger Rattmann, RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Mining Engineering I, Germany

From 2nd day of SOMP AGM 2010, Tallinn, Estonia, 19.06.2010

How is the conference so far?

"It was brilliant and awesome. One point of criticism is (but it’s also a small point): the program is very dense. A little bit more of spare time between the sessions and the evening events...

How do you like Estonia?

"I like it very much! Actually it’s my first time in Estonia but we are also involved in theisEMC program and we heard from our students when they are in Helsinki they always take the ferry, they go to Estonia and they really enjoy it. It was one of the reasons why I came here, to see Tallinn and Estonia and to see these oil shale operations."

Would you like to live here or work?

"That's a good question. The thing is that I have a family at home so that sometimes makes these decisions a little bit complicated because it’s not only my decision it's decision of the whole family. I would say that at the moment I’m not able to move."

What should we change in mining education in order to provide the best specialists for the industry?

"That’s a good guestion. I would say that this European Mining Course, that’s an almost optimum setup of mining education. We have four partner universities, we take a group of 20 students, not more and we send them around for academic year. So they stay two month at each university, that’s a very dense program. But I would say that such an international cooperation that should be part of every mining program in the world."

What’s the most unique thing in Estonian mining?

"The oil shale operations! You are world leader and oil is a big topic at the moment and the from a presentation from the first session I know the costs of producing one barrel from oil shale are lower than the cost of producing one barrel in the gulf of Mexico. That should be very interesting for the people in the States."

Interview with Serkan Saydam, UNSW, Australia

2010-06-20T08:36:00.000-07:00

Serkan Saydam, UNSW, Australia

From 3rd day of SOMP AGM 2010, Tallinn, Estonia, 20.06.2010

How would you define the word mining engineer?

"Mining engineer is... It’s a bit difficult question, it’s not that simple! To extract mineral resources most effective way in terms of profit and also environment."

Which should be the innovative solution in changing public opinion of mining?

"Firstly the mining should be environmental friendly, safe and it should defiantly be benefited to the nation."

Program for Accompanying Persons, SOMP AGM 2010, Estonia, 19.06.2010

2010-06-20T00:19:00.000-07:00

During the second day of SOMP AGM 2010 accompanying persons visited underground Bastion tunnels, Historical Old Town of Tallinn and Marzipan Museum.

SOMP AGM 2010- Innovation in Mining - Presentations

2010-06-19T21:58:00.001-07:00

2nd day of SOMP AGM 2010 annual meeting in Tallinn, Estonia, 19.06.2010

2010-06-19T12:13:00.000-07:00

Second day of SOMP AGM 2010 annual meeting in Tallinn, Estonia.

1st day of SOMP AGM 2010 annual meeting in Tallinn, Estonia, 18.06.2010

2010-06-18T11:52:00.000-07:00

First day of SOMP AGM 2010 annual meeting in Tallinn, Estonia.

Welcome Mining professors!

2010-06-17T00:57:00.000-07:00

From Committee meetings and welcome coctail 18.06.2010, SOMP AGM 2010, Estonia

Department of Mining of Tallinn University of Technology welcomes all mining professors and other participants of SOMP AGM 2010 in Tallinn, Estonia.

Currently 25 countries are represented. All updates, new information, photos and directions will be published on the Conference Web Page at: mi.ttu.ee/somp2010 in addition to oral and paper instructions.

Have a succesful visit and welcome to Estonia!

Ingo Valgma
Department of Mining of TUT
SOMP president

From SOMP 2007 Belgrade

Information sheets for SOMP AGM 2010 participants

2010-06-17T00:30:00.000-07:00

SOMP AGM 2010 Estonia, Program as of June 2010

2010-06-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

SOMP AGM 2010 Estonia, Program as of June 2010.

Program is available to download HERE.

21st Annual General Meeting SOMP AGM 2010, Tallinn, Estonia, TUT Department of Mining

Poster presentations

2010-05-31T10:12:00.000-07:00

Poster presentations of the Annual meeting of SOMP 2010 will be located in the atrium of Tallinn University of Technology, right in front of the room VII-226 where sessions will take place. Posters will be displayed during the entire Meeting.

Authors are responsible for setting up their posters themselves.

Poster material must be prepared in advance and must be large enough to be viewed from a distance of 90 cm. All posters must be written entirely in English. Each poster must have a top banner indicating the title of the paper, the names of the authors and their affiliations. For making a good poster read this "how to" with plenty of tips and advises.

Hotel reservation information

2010-05-27T00:23:00.000-07:00

Hotel information and registration can be found on hotel registration file.

Reval Hotel Olümpia **** - new name from the 1st of June 2010 -> Radisson BLU Hotel Olümpia

Reval Hotel Central *** - new name from the 1st of June 2010 -> Park Inn Central Tallinn

SOMP AGM 2010 Estonia, Hotell registration information Preview of the file

21st SOMP AGM Excursion Option 3

2010-05-26T11:10:00.000-07:00

3. Option

21st SOMP AGM 2010, Excursion Option 3

Excursion Map
A - Reval Hotel central Olümpia
B - Reval Park Inn Tallinn
C - Kiviõli Keemiatööstuse OÜ: Põhja-Kiviõli oil shale surface mine
D - AS Silmet: Nuclear Waste Deposit
E - Lunch
F - AS Wienerberger: Aseri caly pit and brick factory
G - Reval Hotel central Olümpia
H - Reval Park Inn Tallinn

View Larger Map

AS Silmet: Nuclear Waste Deposit

From SOMP AGM 2010 Excursion to AS Silmet

From SOMP AGM 2010 Excursion to AS Silmet and AS Wienerberger

Kiviõli Keemiatööstuse OÜ: Põhja-Kiviõli oil shale surface mine

From SOMP AGM 2010 Excursion to AS Silmet and AS Wienerberger and Kiviõli Keemiatööstuse OÜ

AS Wienerberger: Aseri caly pit and brick factory

From EMC 2009/2010 excursion in Estonia

From SOMP AGM 2010 Excursion to AS Silmet and AS Wienerberger

SOMP AGM 2010 REGISTRATION HELP

2010-05-21T05:56:00.000-07:00

This text and added file will help you to registrer to the SOMP AGM 2010 Conference, Excursion, Hotel and also explain the procedure of payment.

SOMP AGM 2010 Estonia
Preliminary Program
Registration fees
Membership fees

Registration:

If you wish to register to the SOMP AGM 2010 you should register through the online registration form OR the registration file. Online registration form will send the needed data to us automatically. If you choose to fill the Registration file, you should send it filled out back to us by e-mail somp2010@gmail.com or by Post - Tallinn University of Technology, Department of Mining, Ehitajate tee 5, VII-202, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia. We will confirm your registration by e-mail that you have showed in your contact details.

1. (Preferred) Online Registration Form is available on the web page or from this link
2. Registration form (*.docx, *.doc or *.pdf) file is available on the web page or from this link. Please choose suitable file for you
3. Hotel Reservation form* is available on the web page

*Hotel reservation: Everybody should book the hotel by themselves. All the contact information is available on the web page (http://mi.ttu.ee/somp2010).

Payment:

There are 3 possibilities to pay:

1. At the spot (only cash in Euros or in Estonian kroons EEK)

2. Credit Card (Visa, Eurocard/mastercard)

3. Bank Transfer.

Account holder: EESTI MÄESELTS
Bank name: Swedbank AS
Bank adress: Liivalaia 8, Tallinn, Estonia 15040
SWIFT: HABAEE2X
IBAN: EE322200221017255193
Explonation: SOMP AGM 2010 Registration

Credit Card information

21st SOMP AGM Excursion Option 1

2010-05-21T03:17:00.000-07:00

1. Option

Sponsored and organised by AS Kunda Nordic Cement: Ubja oil shale surface mine, Cement plant, Aru-Lõuna limestone quarry, Port of Kunda.

AS Kunda Nordic Tsement

Excursion Map

A-Tallinn

B-Cement plant

C-Port of Kunda

D-Aru-Lõuna limestone quarry

E-Surface Oil Shale mine

F-Tallinn

View Larger Map

From SOMP AGM2010 Excursion to Kunda Nordic Tsement limestone quarry

21st SOMP AGM Excursion Option 2

2010-05-20T03:55:00.000-07:00

2. Option

Organised by Estonian Energy Mining (Eesti Energia Kaevandused): Underground Oil Shale Mine, Oil and Gas's oil Plant, Power-plants.

Eesti Energia

Excursion Map

A-Tallinn
B-Underground Oil Shale Mine
C-Oil and Gas's oil Plant, Power-plants
D-Tallinn

View Larger Map

From SOMP AGM2010 visit to Estonia oil shale undergound mine

SOMP AGM 2010 Registration fees

2010-04-30T01:59:00.000-07:00

SOMP AGM 2010 Registration Fees:
SOMP AGM 2010 Registration Fees

Message from organisers

2010-04-28T03:49:00.000-07:00

Dear participants of SOMP AGM 2010.

Please accept our apologises if you have not received quick replies to email to somp2010@gmail.com

We are all back in the office now and will inform you about the questions.

For your convenience we added direct link to the program.

Organising team
http://mi.ttu.ee/somp2010/

Social networks for SOMP members

2010-04-07T03:15:00.000-07:00

As SOMP AGM 2010 confrence topic is Innovation in Mining, the Organising Commitee encourages SOMP members to take advantage of new media channels to keep up with and share news. Please join SOMP online groups which are suitable for you:

Directions from Hotels to University

2010-04-07T02:49:00.000-07:00

On the conference mornings bus will pick you up from hotels and take you to the university where the conference takes place.

In case you would like to use taxi, please see the maps below for your information:

Directions by Car or Taxi from Reval Hotel Olümpia to University

View Larger Map

Directions by Car or Taxi from Reval Hotel Central to University

View Larger Map

Directions from Airport to Hotels

2010-04-07T02:46:00.000-07:00

Directions from Airport to Reval Hotel Olümpia

Directions by Bus

From Airport Bus stop "Lennujaam" take Bus number 2 and drive to Bus stop "Sossimägi" from there take Bus number 54 and drive to Bus stop "Hotell "Olümpia"". Reval Hotel Olümpia is located across the road.

Directions by Car or Taxi

View Larger Map

Directions from Airport to Reval Hotel Central

Directions by Bus

From Airport Bus stop "Lennujaam" take Bus number 2 and drive to Bus stop "A. Laikmaa" from there You have to walk 240 m to Reval Hotel Central.

Directions by Car or Taxi

View Larger Map

Sponsorship package

2010-04-05T04:50:00.000-07:00

Sponsorship Package SOMP2010

Current sponsors

Estonian Open Air museum

2010-04-03T08:03:00.001-07:00

SOMP Membership fees

2010-02-05T02:15:00.000-08:00

Membership fee of the Society of Mining Professors
2009:
*Member 40 €
*Retired member 20 €
*Junior member free
*Emeritus member free

2010:
*Member 40 €
*Retired member 20 €
*Junior member free
*Emeritus member free

SOMP AGM 2010 Registration Form (File)

2010-02-05T02:05:00.000-08:00

SOMP2010 Registration Form

SOMP AGM 2010 Estonia Online Registration Form

2010-02-03T03:13:00.000-08:00

Registration form in file format: http://mi.ttu.ee/somp2010/files

Loading...

SOMP news, research, networks, groups and other mining links

2009-12-20T05:11:00.000-08:00

Please add information about Mining - research proposals, networks, groups, universities and institutions for other SOMP members and Mining pofessionals. Please use SOMP groups or relevant forms or e-mail: somp2010@gmail.com.

Updated links can be found here:
http://mineprofs.blogspot.com/

Current (12.2009) list of links:

Estonia – Visas, Passports, Embassies

2009-12-03T02:18:00.000-08:00

Please find the latest visa information on the website of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

http://www.vm.ee/?q=en/taxonomy/term/42

A visa invitation letter will be provided upon request (somp2010@gmail.com)

Health and Insurance: The registration fees do not include insurance. It is recommended that all registrants consult their travel agent and take out their own travel and medical insurance prior to coming to the conference. The organizing committee cannot accept responsibility for uninsured participants.

Since Estonia joined Europe (EU) in 2004. EU citizens, Americans, Australians, Canadians and New Zealanders do not need visas to visit.

However if you do need one, you at least have the consolation that an “Estonian visa” is valid throughout most of Europe as Estonia is now in the Schengen area. Equally if you have started your tour in another Schengen country, the visa it issued is valid for Estonia too.
Check the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website if you are in any doubt. It is always up to date with visa information and gives details of Estonian embassies abroad where they can be obtained.
Visas used to be issued at Tallinn Harbour and from the consular section of Estonian Embassy at Tallinn Airport. This is no longer the case, so if you need one, make sure you get it before you come. If you are getting it en route, make sure you allow enough time and that your visit there does not coincide with anynational holidays. It is best to book an appointment with the consular section in advance.

15 Linkedin members

2009-11-24T10:34:00.000-08:00

Dear SOMP Linkedin members (15 currently)

Please ask your collegues to connect SOMP Linkedin group here.

Next step is to add committees as subgroups. As the result convinient network will be built for discussing, polling and collecting information.

Preview of SOMP Linkedin group:

Discussions

Featured Discussion
Please ask All SOMP members and future members to connect this group.
By Ingo Valgma 3 days ago
Stop following | Add comment »
Featured Discussion
Please inform us, what social Network is reccommended by you for exchange of information and sharing structure of SOMP
By Ingo Valgma 5 days ago
Stop following | Add comment »

My discussions | More »

Start a discussion

News

Recommended
SOMP Facebook
From: SOMP2010 Tallinn | 3 views | November 17, 2009 | Stop following |Add comment »

Members (15)

Showing 1 - 15 of 15

Sorted by: most relevant

48
Ingo Valgma
Head of Department of Mining, Estonia
48 followers | See activity »

3
Karmis Michael
Professor at Virginia Tech, Roanoke, Virginia Area
3 followers | Stop following | See activity »

9
enno reinsalu
professor at Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia
9 followers | Stop following | See activity »

4
Jüri Rivaldo
Associate Professor at Tallinn University of Technology, Department of Mining, Estonia
4 followers | Stop following | See activity »

2
Margit Kolats
Mäeinstituudi spetsialist, Estonia
2 followers | Stop following | See activity »

3
Christian Buhrow
Selbstständige Fachkraft im Bereich Bergbau u. Metallverarbeitung, Dresden Area, Germany
3 followers | Stop following | See activity »

3
Angela Notton
bowels of the earth specialist at Environmental Board, Estonia
3 followers | Stop following | See activity »

3
Ain Anepaio
Specialist at TTU, Estonia
3 followers | Stop following | See activity »

7
Karin Robam
at TUT Department of Mining, Estonia
7 followers | Stop following | See activity »

48
Veiko Karu
at Tallinn University of Technology Mining Department, Estonia
48 followers | Stop following | See activity »

5
Tarmo Tohver
Specialist at Eesti Energia Kaevandused AS, Estonia
5 followers | Stop following | See activity »

1
79
Peter Dowd
Executive Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences at University of Adelaide, Adelaide Area, Australia
79 followers | Stop following | See activity »

1
43
Roussos Dimitrakopoulos
Professor and CRC at McGill University, Montreal, Canada Area
43 followers | Stop following | See activity »

10
Zach Agioutantis
Prof at TUC, Greece
10 followers | Stop following | See activity »

- Invite to connect
- Send message
Jim Galvin
Emeritus Professor at Galvin & Associates, Sydney Area, Australia
1 followers | Follow Jim | See activity »

Update on SOMP lists and groups

2009-11-19T23:14:00.000-08:00

Dear SOMP members and potential members

After testing some groups and lists, the top best accepted are following:

SOMP groups

ERASMUS Staff Mobility - Teaching Assignments by Higher Education Institutions Teaching Staff and by Invited Staff from Enterprises

2009-11-19T07:14:00.000-08:00

The teaching staff mobility action enables staff to spend a teaching period between 1 day - or at least 5 teaching hours – and 6 weeks at a higher education institution in another participating European country.

What are the objectives of staff mobility for teaching?
•To encourage higher education institutions to broaden and enrich the range and content of courses they offer;
•To allow students who do not have the possibility to participate in a mobility scheme, to benefit from the knowledge and expertise of academic staff from higher education institutions and from invited staff of enterprises in other European countries;
•To promote exchange of expertise and experience on pedagogical methods;
•To create links between higher education institutions and enterprises.

Who can benefit?
•The teaching assignments may be carried out by teaching staff of higher education institutions and invited staff of enterprises.
•In all cases, the activities of staff undertaking a teaching assignment should be integrated into the curricula of the host institution.

What arrangements have to be made?
•Teaching assignment mobility is based on inter-institutional agreements between the sending and receiving higher education institutions or an agreement between the higher education institution and the enterprise concerned.
•The teaching programme must be agreed in advance by all parties.
•In the case of staff mobility from an enterprise to a higher education institution, the mobility is arranged by an invitation of the higher education institution to the staff member of the enterprise.

How is the grant managed?
The grant provided to contribute to subsistence costs and to cover travel costs is always managed by the higher education institution.

Who can apply?
•Teaching staff must be from a higher education institution holding an ERASMUS University Charter.
•At least the sending or the receiving country must be an EU Member State.

How to apply?
•Teaching staff of higher education institutions is selected by the sending institution.
•Staff of enterprises is selected by the host institution.
•Teaching staff shall submit to their sending institution/enterprise a teaching programme agreed by the receiving institution. The plan must consist of at least:
•objectives and added value of the mobility;
•content of the teaching programme;
•expected results.

Please contact the international office and / or ERASMUS office of your home institution or your National Agency.

More information Click here

ERASMUS, Doctoral School and SOMP AGM

2009-11-19T07:07:00.000-08:00

Dear SOMP AGM 2010 participants

We would like to inform You that there is possibility to combine short cources for PhD students, ERASMUS teaching program and SOMP AGM evant. Please contact us if You are interested in teaching and using funds of these events.

Gaia Grossfeldt, Organising Committee

http://mi.ttu.ee/erasmus/

Doctoral school

SOMP 2009 – Summary of the 2009 meeting and outcomes – Providing a “Roadmap” for the Future of our Society

2009-11-19T04:18:00.000-08:00

A Preface to the Document

The Sydney 2009 Annual Meeting utilized a number of break‐out sessions and devoted one
and a half full days into charting a future Roadmap for the Society. It was enthusiastically
re‐emphasized by the participants the need for the SOMP to be a vibrant global Society,
representing the majority of minerals academics. The main focus in the next few years
should be in promoting Mining Engineering as an engineering discipline and facilitating
information exchange, research and teaching collaboration and joint action among
members.

In order to achieve our mission and objectives, the roadmap stresses that SOMP needs to be
more than an informal network that meets once per year, and that we should develop goals
and action items that can be pursues by the membership via our Council and Committee
structure.

It is with great pleasure that I forward the following summary of the Sydney Roadmap
process. Please read carefully and provide me with any comments or suggestions. Many
thanks to our Sydney President, Prof. Bruce Hebblewhite and the many colleagues who cochaired
the breakout session (see also the Sydney technical program for details) for
compiling the document.

Sincerely,

Professor Michael Karmis
Secretary General
Society of Mining Professors/Societät der
Bergbaukunde
Stevinweg 1 ‐ 2628 CN Delft
P.O. Box 5048 ‐ 2600 GA Delft
The Netherlands
Phone:+31(15)278 5001
E‐mail:info@mineprofs.org
Web:www.mineprofs.org

Direct Contact:
Department of Mining and Minerals
Engineering, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
Phone:+540‐231‐5273
Fax:+540‐231‐4078
Mobile:+540‐239‐7057
E‐mail:mkarmis@vt.edu

SOMP 2009 – Summary of the 2009 meeting and outcomes

– Providing a “Roadmap” for the Future of our Society.

1. Background

The constitution of the Society defines our objectives as follows:
The Society of Mining Professors/Societät der Bergbaukunde is designed to be a vibrant
global Society, representing the majority of minerals academics. The purpose of the Society
is to:
– promote Mining Engineering as an engineering discipline,
– facilitate information exchange, research and teaching collaboration and
joint action among its members.
More specific functions and objectives are listed as:
• Ensuring that university based education continues to be available at the highest level in
those disciplines concerned with the provision of mineral products from the crust of the earth
to those who wish to avail themselves of it.
• Ensuring that advancement, through research, of the scientific and engineering knowledge
and processes in the areas of relevance to the provision of mineral products continues.
• Establishing a network of academics involved in achieving the above goals.
• Enhancing the image of the minerals‐producing industries, promoting development of
educational courses within these disciplines and fostering pride in the disciplines.
• Establishing and maintaining ongoing contacts with the global mineral industry players.
• Promoting co‐operation in educational and research programmes and identifying cooperative
research opportunities.
2. The Future
In order for the Society to maintain and expand its relevance and purpose, the 2009 meeting agreed
that:
• We need to become an active, and truly international network of mining academics

• Just as the minerals industry is made up of global companies and partnerships; so too, the
education sector must go global, and SOMP is the ideal vehicle to achieve this, by
– Being more than just an informal network that meets once/year
– Making strategic, global initiatives in our education sector.
3. Sydney Roadmap
– a summary of conclusions and actions arising from SOMP 2009 in Sydney.
3.1 Introduction Session
It was decided that:
a) Annual statistics on international mining engineering intake and graduate numbers
should continue to be collected (Action: Education Committee).
b) It is desirable to supplement above statistics with a review of “graduate attributes” from
different institutions – what do our graduates look like, and how do they differ, across
the world? (Action: Education Committee).
c) Mapping of our SOMP graduates would be a useful exercise, though extremely difficult
to do on a broad scale (where they work, what type of roles are they in after x years
from graduation, etc). (Action: SOMP Council).
d) The above background objectives should be endorsed by SOMP in the future (see
section 2)
3.2 Staff Development – attracting and retaining new/young academics
(Actions: Membership Development Committee)
It was decided that:
a) A network of young/new academics should be established within the SOMP framework
– this should be led by a young academic, not left to the SOMP Secretary or other
officials to run. The network should be a database set up possibly within the SOMP
website to enable new and young staff to be identified to each other; and to be able to
be in regular informal/social contact with each other, for support and establishment of
collaboration opportunities; exchange of ideas, etc. (This network may also be a set up
using something like “Facebook”, or “Linked In”, although some concerns about
privacy/control issues).
b) It is desirable for new/young academics to have mentor assigned to them – preferably
within their own universities and/or countries, rather than a SOMP role. Crossdisciplinary
mentoring is also considered valuable. The suggestion was made that each
country assign a senior SOMP member as mentor to develop such a program for

younger academics pursuing research interests in each country; but with links back to
SOMP for any common interest issues.
c) There may be a role for some older SOMP members to be assigned as mentors to
academic leaders in developing countries, or where new mining programs are being
established – may be specific to particular specialisations.
3.3 General Issues
a) Important role for SOMP to offer commentary and be a discussion forum on broader
issues affecting minerals industry, such as climate change, CO2 sequestration, etc.
(Action: SOMP Council)
b) Establishment of a database of SOMP membership teaching and research interests
would be very beneficial, with some form of analysis to identify common areas, gaps,
etc. (Action: Education Committee)
c) Workshops held at the Sydney meeting were judged to be very useful and effective,
even though some extra meeting time was needed to be assigned to accommodate
them in the Program. Future SOMP meetings should continue the practice of holding
focussed workshop sessions to continue to pursue particular initiatives, following Sydney
workshop themes (Innovations in teaching & learning; international collaboration in
education; early career researchers; research partnerships ), but not restricted to these.
(Action: SOMP Council, plus future meeting hosts)
3.4 Teaching – Use of new technologies
(Actions: Education Committee)
a) SOMP members could share podcasts or similar recordings of particular keynote lectures
(by subject‐matter academic experts, or key industry presentations – SOMP could be a
clearing‐house, or provide storage for such presentations (subject to appropriate
approvals, copyright, etc).
b) All SOMP members who already have classrooms equipped for interactive lecture
delivery/receival to exchange information on the technology protocols/specifications
should consider assisting with future linkages of lectures around the world and providing
help to those establishing new facilities.
3.5 International Collaboration
(Actions: SOMP Council)
SOMP should play a role in facilitating the development/implementation of new mining
education programs in developing regions of the world. It was recommended that SOMP
could actually form a “Capacity Building” Sub‐Committee. This should comprise a cross
section of members from developing regions, plus members with experience in supporting
new programs and/or good contacts/access to international aid agencies. Particular regions
of interest might include parts of Asia, Mongolia, western Africa, etc.
5
a) Consistent with 3.5(a) above, SOMP should consider holding a future meeting in the
Asian region.
b) SOMP should consider potential for international collaboration, especially in
postgraduate coursework and research. Options may include: joint international
research supervisors; capacity building teaching programs; establishment of
international post‐graduate degree programs (and collaborative research projects),
possibly based around cross‐disciplinary themes, rather than disciplines, e.g., carbon
capture/sequestration.
3.6 Research
(Actions: Research Committee)
a) SOMP members should develop a database of which universities and people are active
in which research fields, and a database of major research projects. This should include
areas of graduate students research, and provide links for these researchers to
communicate informally (through website or Facebook or similar).
b) It is important given 3.6(a) to identify areas of critical mass, in terms of people and
infrastructure; and through this, to also identify where collaborative links across
membership can convert a small group into a critical mass when linked with others – the
concept being SOMP international research networks in particular fields.
c) Collaborative projects should be established, as per 3.5(c).
d) A database of new/young research staff and research interests should be established, as
per 3.3(b); with informal networking opportunities available, as described in 3.2(a).
e) SOMP should develop a study of various collaborative research models around the world
– case studies of what works well, and also what has not worked so well.

Source: http://www.mineprofs.org/info/annual_meetings/2009/SOMP-09-Roadmap.pdf

SOMP groups

2009-11-17T13:25:00.000-08:00

SOMP AGM organising committee asks all SOMP members to look for options of social networks like following:

Members of SOMP Committees

2009-11-09T21:55:00.000-08:00

Membership Committee:

Prof. Michael Karmis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, USA, Coordinator
Prof. Bruce Hebblewhite, University of New South Wales, Australia
Prof. Ingo Valgma, Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia
Prof. Mario Cedron Lassus, Universidad Catolica del Peru, Peru
Assoc. Prof. Hans de Ruiter, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands

Research and Development Committee:

Prof. Peter Knights, University of Queensland, Australia, Coordinator
Prof. Michael Hood, University of Queensland, Australia
Prof. Per Nicolai Martens, RWTH Aachen, Germany,
Prof. Sevket Durucan, Imperial College, United Kingdom
Prof Jan Palarski, Gliwice University of Technology, Poland
Prof. Oliver Langefeld, TU Claustal, Germany
Prof. Bern Klein, University of British Columbia, Canada
Prof. Christoph Dauber, TFH Georg Agricola, Germany
Dr. Jurgen F. Brune, NIOSH, USA.

Education Committee:

Prof. Bruce Hebblewhite, University of New South Wales, Australia, Coordinator
Assoc. Prof. Hans de Ruiter, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands
Prof. Huw Phillips, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
Prof. Malcolm Scoble, University of British Columbia, Canada
Prof. Mario Cedron Lassus, Universidad Catolica del Peru, Peru
Prof. Viliam Bauer, Kosice University of Technology, Slovak Republic
Assoc. Prof. Juri-Rivaldo Pastarus, Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia
Prof. Pinyo Meechumna, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand

Industry Committee:

Prof. Monika Hardygora, Wroclaw University of Technology and President, KGHM CUPRUM, Poland, Coordinator
Dr. Chris Cross, President, The Mineral Industry Research Organisation (MIRO), United Kingdom
Prof. Yevgeni Kuzmin, Moscow State Mining University, Russia
Prof. George Panagiotou, National Technical University of Athens, Greece
Prof. Pekka Särkkä, Helsinki University of Technology, Finland
Prof. Uday Kumar, Luleå University of Technology, Sweden
Prof. Jim Galvin, University of New South Wales, Australia
Dr. Corina Hebestreit, Euromines, Belgium
Prof. Wijnand Dalmijn, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands
Prof. Hermann Wotruba, RWTH Aachen, Germany

Membership Development Committee:

Assoc. Prof. Vladislav Kecojevic, The Pennsylvania State University, USA, Coordinator
Prof. Ingo Valgma, Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia
Dr. Farshad Rashidinejad, Science and Research Campus, IAU, Iran
Prof. Marina Peshkova, Moscow State Mining University, Russia
Prof. Roger J. Thompson, Curtin University, Australia
Dr. Ronny Webber-Youngman, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Dr. Serkan Saydam, University of New South Wales, Australia
Dr. Rudrajit Mitra, University of New South Wales, Australia
Dr. Theodore Michalakopoulos, National Technical University of Athens, Greece
Prof. Derek Apel, University of Alberta, Canada

Honorifics Committee:

Prof. C. Timothy Shaw, Imperial College, Coordinator
Prof. Günter Fettweis, Montanuniversitat Leoben, Austria
Prof. Ludwig Wilke, TU Berlin, Germany

Updated October 5, 2009
Source

Facebook - SOMP2010 - 17 members shortly after opening

2009-11-09T07:21:00.000-08:00

Shortly after opening Facebook page for SOMP communication, already 17 members are following SOMP news and sharing it with their communities. Facebook is direct and convinient way to see updates for SOMP activities. In addittion e-mail groups and weblogs are open for SOMP members.

There are following possibilities for receiving and sending information:

Use SOMP Communication Board

Read SOMP web pages

For Facebook users, we reccommend connecting SOMP page to receive instant updates

"SOMP" on Facebook

Message from the President of SOMP 2009/2010

2009-11-09T07:12:00.000-08:00

It is my honor to welcome all members and interested parties of the Society of Mining Professors to Estonia next year. It is my pleasure to introduce our oil shale and other minerals industries and our mining education and science infrastructure to the world.

Estonia is located between three regions or countries that have influenced its mining culture. The German mining culture, education and research was the first major influence and still has its roots. Then it was transformed by the culture of the Soviet Union. Finally, independence in the 90s brought Scandinavian influences. At that time, Estonian mining professors joined SOMP. The Estonian oil shale mining industry is 94 years old and provides a valuable market for German, Russian, Finnish and Swedish equipment manufacturers, geologists and mining engineers.

The topic of the next Annual General Meeting in Tallinn, June 2010, is “Innovation in Mining.” This is a huge but important topic for a small country such as Estonia, with its limited number of mining engineers and scientists. It will require the active participation of the international mining community, as represented by SOMP. Although innovation was not covered explicitly, the 2009 Sydney Roadmap, which emphasized the importance of establishing collaborative networks, provides an excellent basis for thinking about innovation.

Innovation is difficult for individual participants in the mining sector to achieve, as each participant has selective pressures that work against innovation. For instance, industry is constrained by financial pressures, which have grown more salient given the recent worldwide economic downturn. Industry also has to face daily operational problems and issues, which mitigate against large-scale innovations. Engineers often do not fully understand these financial issues, and the need for free and unfettered publishing in academia and science often conflicts with industrial needs and practices. Thus, international bodies such as SOMP are required to supply the collaborative networks among industry and academia that are needed to bring about innovation.

Innovation is often generated as young, new partners move into the mining sector as old generations retire. The Sydney Roadmap provides the basis for ensuring that “young/new academics” be identified and mentored, and that innovative technical methods, such as Facebook, be used to develop networks of contacts among these newcomers to the field.

Finally, innovation requires that the best young people be attracted to the mining engineering disciplines, and the Roadmap emphasizes the role of SOMP in enhancing the image of the materials-producing industries, promoting the development of educational opportunities and courses, and fostering pride in the discipline.

In the next year, we must work from the Roadmap that was established by our members at the 2009 Sydney Annual General Meeting, but apply it to the exciting and crucial area of innovation. Thus, part of the task for the next conference is to find out the level, contents and factors influencing innovation in mining. The 2010 AGM in Tallinn presents a great opportunity to get this input from the highest possible source - the professors who teach and supervise the future leaders and engineers of the mining industry. I encourage all colleagues to participate in the activities of SOMP committees and to provide innovative papers, posters, presentations and ideas.

Estonia looks forward to play a role in the progress and innovations in the industry. I am happy to report that several students have already received doctoral degrees and that they are currently working in various areas of the mining sector.

I am looking forward to see you in Tallinn in June 2010

Ingo Valgma, Estonia

2009/2010 SOMP president
Professor and Head of Department of Mining, Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia
Head of Estonian Mining Society

SOMP AGM 2010 Estonia, Tallinn - Innovation in Mining

photos in the World album and map of mining equipment

SOMP AGM 2010 "Innovation in Mining" successfully finished

5th day of SOMP AGM 2010 annual meeting in Tallinn, Estonia, 21.06.2010

4th day of SOMP AGM 2010 annual meeting in Tallinn, Estonia, 21.06.2010

4th day of SOMP AGM 2010 annual meeting in Tallinn, Estonia, 21.06.2010

4th day of SOMP AGM 2010 annual meeting in Tallinn, Estonia, 21.06.2010

Program for Accompanying Persons, SOMP AGM 2010, Estonia, 20.06.2010

3rd day of SOMP AGM 2010 annual meeting in Tallinn, Estonia, 20.06.2010

Interview with Michael Karmis, Virginia Tech, USA

Interview with Gian Andrea Blengini, Politecnico di Torino, Italy

Interview with Erling Nordlund, Luleå University of Technology, Sweden

Interview with Uday Kumar, Luleå University of Technology, Sweden

Interview with Ludger Rattmann, RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Mining Engineering I, Germany

Interview with Serkan Saydam, UNSW, Australia

Program for Accompanying Persons, SOMP AGM 2010, Estonia, 19.06.2010

SOMP AGM 2010- Innovation in Mining - Presentations

2nd day of SOMP AGM 2010 annual meeting in Tallinn, Estonia, 19.06.2010

1st day of SOMP AGM 2010 annual meeting in Tallinn, Estonia, 18.06.2010

Welcome Mining professors!

Information sheets for SOMP AGM 2010 participants

SOMP AGM 2010 Estonia, Program as of June 2010

Poster presentations

Hotel reservation information

21st SOMP AGM Excursion Option 3

SOMP AGM 2010 REGISTRATION HELP

21st SOMP AGM Excursion Option 1

21st SOMP AGM Excursion Option 2

SOMP AGM 2010 Registration fees

Message from organisers

Social networks for SOMP members

Directions from Hotels to University

Directions from Airport to Hotels

Sponsorship package

Estonian Open Air museum

SOMP Membership fees

SOMP AGM 2010 Registration Form (File)

SOMP AGM 2010 Estonia Online Registration Form

SOMP news, research, networks, groups and other mining links

SOMP

SOMP meetings

Photos

Mining Universities

Networking

Partner search

Funds

Institutions

Interesting

Estonia – Visas, Passports, Embassies

15 Linkedin members

Members (15)

Update on SOMP lists and groups

SOMP groups

ERASMUS Staff Mobility - Teaching Assignments by Higher Education Institutions Teaching Staff and by Invited Staff from Enterprises

ERASMUS, Doctoral School and SOMP AGM

SOMP 2009 – Summary of the 2009 meeting and outcomes – Providing a “Roadmap” for the Future of our Society

SOMP groups

SOMP AGM organising committee asks all SOMP members to look for options of social networks like following:

SOMP groups

Members of SOMP Committees

Membership Committee:

Research and Development Committee:

Education Committee:

Industry Committee:

Membership Development Committee:

Honorifics Committee:

Facebook - SOMP2010 - 17 members shortly after opening

Message from the President of SOMP 2009/2010