December 2, 2016

Sustainable mining the focus of international symposium

Green mining symposium focused on sustainable resources industry. 

More than 100 delegates have gathered at the University of Wollongong this week for the ninth International Symposium on Green Mining.

The symposium, co-hosted with the China University of Mining and Technology (CUMT), attracted delegates from all over the world to discuss the latest developments in sustainable mining practices.

Conference Executive Chairman Dr Ting Ren from UOW’s School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering said ‘green mining’ refers to the concept of developing advanced technologies to achieve the dual outcomes of maximising resources recovery while minimising mining’s environmental impact.

“The aim of the symposium is to bring together top scientific researchers and engineers worldwide to discuss a number of technical and environmental aspects in the ‘green mining’ of mineral resources, particularly coal, in deep and more challenging environments, and propose suitable solutions aiming at assuring the clean and efficient supply of coal based energy,” Dr Ren said.

"The conference will enhance our engagement with the mining industry and the broad mineral communities for the application and commercialisation of latest green mining technologies, thus creating new employment opportunities in a more clean and sustainable mining industry.”

UOW Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Judy Raper officially welcomed guests when the symposium started at UOW on Tuesday 29 November. The symposium featured speakers from mining research institutes in Australia and overseas, and senior mining technology managers from Australian coalmines.