ISSA Mining

The beginning of 2026 marks a significant leadership transition with the election of a new Board and of Kevin Mooney of Canada as new President of the International Section of the ISSA on Prevention in the Mining Industry (ISSA Mining).

Mr. Mooney, who represents Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (SWCB), succeeds Helmut Ehnes from the German Social Accident Insurance Institution for the raw materials and chemical industry (BG RCI), bringing to a close 27 years of German leadership of the Section. The General Assembly also elected a new Board, including Phillip Germain from SWCB as Secretary General, and Kai Rabald from BG RCI  as Technical Secretary.

During the Assembly, members paid tribute to Helmut Ehnes for his outstanding leadership and long-standing dedication to ISSA Mining. Under his presidency, the Section played a key role in elevating the VISION ZERO strategy to a global level within the mining industry. Appreciation was also expressed by Dr. Mohammed Azman Aziz, President of the International Social Security Association (ISSA). To ensure continuity and a smooth transition, Mr. Ehnes will continue to support the Section in the role of Past President.

With its new leadership in place, ISSA Mining looks ahead to further strengthening international collaboration and promoting safer, healthier and more sustainable mining worldwide. Coming up in 2026 is the important ISSA Mining Safety Conference 2026 in Saskatoon, Canada, 22–24 September, an over 50 years old tradition. With the theme “Building a Safer Future in Mining: Innovation, Leadership and Legacy,” the conference invites experts from around the world to join the conversation.

Another important ongoing initiative is the AI4SafeMines – Student competition, a global competition for post-secondary and high school student teams to develop an application layer tool using artificial intelligence (AI) that can make an impact on health and safety, focusing on in-field hazard identification and interventions. (ISSA Mining/MRG)

We look forward to your participation in the upcoming VISION ZERO Conference, which aims to address the pressing need for responsible leadership and sustainable practices in the mining industry and beyond. This conference is organized collaboratively by ISSA Mining, THGA and RAG, BG RCI and will be held on the THGA campus in Bochum, the heart of German mining history.

Further information can be found on the event page

Ulrich Meesmann, Member of the Board of Directors of the German Social Accident Insurance Institution for the Raw Materials and Chemical Industry (BG RCI), Heidelberg/Germany, was voted president. His term will begin 1 April 2016, when current ISSA Mining President Theodor Bülhoff will retire. Cristian Moraga Torres, General Manager of Mutual de Seguridad CChC, Chile, was voted ISSA Mining Vice President. He will share the Vice Presidency with John McEndoo, South Africa, and Peter Schrimpf, Germany.