Interview with Michael Karmis, Virginia Tech, USA

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

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

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

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

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

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."