RWTH Aachen

On 18th and 19th June 2026, the MiningForum will once again take place at the Hotel Estrel Berlin, Berlin/Germany, and bring together leading experts, decision-makers and thought leaders from the German, European and international raw materials industry. As one of the most important networking platforms, the conference has been dedicated to the pressing challenges and opportunities of a sustainable raw materials supply for over 30 years.

With more than 50 specialist presentations, interactive discussion panels and a trade exhibition, MiningForum 2026 offers a 360° view of current developments in the industry. Under the motto “Raw Materials Momentum”, the MiningForum will highlight the crucial role of the raw materials sector for the diverse transformation tasks and far beyond. Raw materials form the foundation of our modern lives, from everyday products to high-tech innovations. MiningForum 2026 shows how the sector can fulfil its social mission efficiently, competitively and sustainably.

The event is characterised by a strategic partnership: Prof. Elisabeth Clausen, Head of the Institute for Advanced Mining Technologies (AMT) at RWTH Aachen University, Aachen/Germany, and Jens-Peter Lux, Managing Director of DMT GROUP, Essen/Germany, are combining their scientific and industrial expertise to provide important impetus for the industry with the MiningForum (Figure 1).

MiningForum 2026 offers a high-profile, international platform for dialogue between stakeholders from politics, business, science and civil society and provides impetus for innovative technologies, strategic partnerships and sustainable mining.

“The increasing uncertainty of global supply chains emphasises how urgently we need a resilient supply of raw materials. Only through sustainable strategies and innovative technologies can we create the basis for a stable and future-proof economy and society,” says Prof Clausen.

Cooperation between all relevant players is essential for the future of the raw materials sector. The cooperation with the AMT is an example of how industrial pragmatism, technological innovation and applied research can make a significant contribution to a secure and sustainable supply of raw materials.

“A secure and sustainable supply of raw materials can only be guaranteed through the interaction of industry, science, politics and civil society. Together, we must create suitable market mechanisms, drive innovation and develop sustainable solutions in order to successfully meet the challenges of the future,” explains Lux.

The conference offers participants an outstanding opportunity for knowledge exchange, an established platform for networking and for developing new partnerships to work together on the present and future of a resilient, reliable and sustainable supply of raw materials. (DMT/Si.)

Join us! .. for the International High-Performance Mining (HPM) Conference in Aachen, September 7-8, 2023, organized and hosted by the Institute for Advanced Mining Technologies (AMT) at RWTH Aachen University, co-organized by VDMA Mining, and featuring a Canadian delegation. www.high-performance-mining.com

The HPM Conference brings together an international audience of experts to inspire change in the global mining industry and make the mine of the future tangible. It is a leading international conference in Germany with respect to mining technology and innovation. Thus, the conference provides a unique platform not only for inspirational content but to form new partnerships and meet many experts from industry and research, from within and outside of Germany. Networking will be facilitated through breaks, our exhibition area, and during our exclusive evening reception on Thursday.

The program contains two days filled with presentations and discussions on benchmark projects from mines and suppliers in technology development and deployment, technology innovation, process optimization and responsible mining practices. Session themes include new frontiers in automatization, digitalization, and electrification, along with the larger context of what we call the human-centred climate smart mine of the future.

Register now! Sponsoring and exhibition opportunities still available: www.high-performance-mining.com

Kohleausstiegsgesetz: Inhalt und Folgen

Das Kohleausstiegsgesetz ist inzwischen verabschiedet. Wir planen unser Kolloquium zum Kohleausstiegsgesetz für den 26.01.2021, um mit Ihnen dieses Gesetz näher zu erörtern: Einerseits wird kritisiert, dass der Ausstiegspfad weniger ambitioniert sei als von der Kohlekommission vorgesehen. Andererseits wird die Erhöhung der Strompreise kritisiert. Diese Eckpunkte gilt es zu diskutieren und vor allem mit den entscheidenden rechtlichen Problemen zu verknüpfen.

Nach Klärung der Entschädigungszahlungen geht es nun darum, obweitere Enteignungen und Umsiedlungen erfolgen können. Dagegen wendet sich eine Verfassungsbeschwerde gegen das Kohleverstromungsbeendigungsgesetz. Sie fordert auch ein Vorziehen des Kohleausstigs auf 2030 zu Recht?

Wirkt sich das Kohleausstiegsgesetz bzw. der Kohleausstieg auch auf die Sicherheitsleistungen aus? Inwieweit werden die Planungen im Rheinland beeinflusst, welche in dem Wirtschafts- und Strukturprogramm 1.0 schon sehr weit vorangeschritten waren? Welche Rolle spielt die Energiespeicherung? Wie weit sind die Forschungen hierzu vorangeschritten und welcher Forschungsbedarf besteht noch?

Alle diese Fragen werden von Experten aus unterschiedlichen Fachrichtungen und Bereichen am 26.01.2021 beim dann 21. KBU näher diskutiert. Wir würden uns freuen, Sie zur Tagung „Kohleausstiegsgesetz: Inhalt und Folgen“ begrüßen zu dürfen.

At the Smart Mining Conference 2019 on 19th to 20th November 2019, various approaches to the digitization and automation of mining processes were presented. The conference, organized by the Institute for Advanced Mining Technologies (AMT) of RWTH Aachen University in cooperation with DMT GmbH und Co. KG and VDMA Mining, brought together more than 200 national and international experts at the Tivoli Congress Center in Aachen/Germany (Figure 1).

The aim of the conference was to bring together international mining companies, suppliers and experts from research and industry to discuss current challenges and best practices in the automation and digitization of mining processes and machines and to create a platform for exchange between industry, research institutions and associations to discuss success factors for the mine of the future.

Among the highlights of the conference was a Canadian delegation of more than 20 Canadian business representatives who presented their technologies as part of the three-hour Canada Day program prior to the main conference. Another highlight was the participation of a notable Scandinavian delegation that presented various aspects of the large-scale European research project “Sustainable Intelligent Mining Systems” (SIMS) as part of the conference program.

Over two days, 36 presentations were presented by German and international companies, highlighting various aspects of automation and digitization in modern high performance mining. These ranged from the challenges of autonomous processes and the design of digital transformation processes to machine-to-machine communication and new methods for data analysis. Young companies also presented innovative ideas from the fields of computer vision applications, predictive maintenance using artificial intelligence (AI) and automated activity monitoring of machines in opencast mining operations.

The next symposium of the AMT will take place from 17th to 18th November 2020 at the SuperC of RWTH Aachen University and will be held under the motto “High Performance Mining”. More information at www.high-performance-mining.com. (RWTH/Si.)

The potential reach of the COVID-19 Coronavirus has changed significantly in the last few days. There has been an increasing incidence of infections in Germany and a growing number of employers and states is placing limitations on travel. Based on these evolving circumstances, it would be an unacceptable risk to bring people from various continents together in Aachen in early April. Such an event can only take place successfully if all our participants feel comfortable with the current situation and a relaxed, unburdened exchange with each other is possible. From our point of view this is unfortunately not given with the current situation.

Therefore, we have decided to cancel AIMS 2020.

We very much apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause.

A total of 70 leading industry representatives – managing directors, sales directors, association representatives and representatives of IGBCE and the NRW mining authority – met on 26th September 2019 at the former Zeche Zollern (colliery) in Dortmund/Germany for the fifth annual conference of the Mining Industry Network of the EnergieAgentur.NRW, Düsseldorf/Germany (Figure 1).

It was also an opportunity to examine current target markets as 97 % of services, machines and systems are exported. The raw materials industry around the world faces diverse and demanding challenges. Sustainable market and sales visions are sought and visionaries to promote them. What is important and what will become important? The network coordinated and moderated the event on behalf of the Ministry of Economic Affairs of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. The contributions showed the whole spectrum of the industry activities and market developments through to the high level of innovation of the supplier industry in North Rhine-Westphalia in the raw materials segment. After the end of coal mining the know-how and expertise established here and appreciated worldwide continue to be promoted on international markets such as Chile, China, Russia, Turkey or Africa. Apart from the classic use, it is necessary to show applications in the hard rock mining sector, ore mines, salt and rare earth fields, as well as in tunnel construction, around the world for the companies. Complex technical solutions and the high degree of specialisation, specially in the areas of digitisation, occupational safety, accident prevention and environment protection, offer opportunities, which are seized and supported also with the help of the EnergieAgentur.NRW. Harmonisation, coordination and moderation are effected in many cases in close collaboration with VDMA Mining, the Technical University Georg Agricola (THGA), institutes of the RWTH Aachen University, the DMT GmbH & Co. KG or other partners from Germany or abroad. Many regions in the world rich in raw materials benefit from this sustainable approach of the NRW experts and their knowledge. Because one thing is clear: The know-how and expertise of the specialist companies in North Rhine-Westphalia are at a superior international level and without mining there is no energy revolution or electric mobility. (EnergieAgentur.NRW/Si.)

The Second International Conference “Mines of the Future” took place in Aachen/Germany in June 2019 (Figure 1). Due to the great interest in the topic „Mines of the Future“, Prof. Bernd Lottermoser, conference chair of the renowned AIMS conference series, deepened the theme. Having attracted more than 180 participants from 29 countries, from 20 different universities and 74 companies the two-day conference was an extraordinary success. Representatives from industry and research presented the latest findings in the areas of science, technology and respon-sibility in mining in more than
55 technical lectures. The wide range of speakers and participants came from universities, government agencies, the mining industry and consulting firms. Furthermore, ten exhibitors seized the opportunity to present their latest products and developments to an international audience.

Prof. Lottermoser and his staff are delighted with the conference’s outcomes and already look forward to the next AIMS conference. AIMS 2020 will be focused on „Mineral resources for future generations“ and is expected to take place on 2nd to 3rd April 2020 in Aachen. (RWTH/Si.)

The Second International Conference “Mines of the Future” took place in Aachen/Germany in June 2019. Due to the great interest in the topic „Mines of the Future“, Prof. Bernd Lottermoser, conference chair of the renowned AIMS conference series, deepened the theme. Having attracted more than 180 participants from 29 countries, from 20 different universities and 74 companies the two-day conference was an extraordinary success (Figure 1). Representatives from industry and research presented the latest findings in the areas of science, technology and responsibility in mining in more than 55 technical lectures. The wide range of speakers and participants came from universities, government agencies, the mining industry and consulting firms. Furthermore, 10 exhibitors seized the opportunity to present their latest products and developments to an international audience. (RWTH)

RAG Aktiengesellschaft, Essen/Germany, has initiated a pilot study on the possible exposure of miners to PCB. The impetus for the study was the question as to whether exposure that took place many years ago, i.e. resulting from the use of liquids containing PCB in mining until the 1980s, can be reliably detected in the blood. A new detection method was developed under the scientific leadership of the Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine (IASU) at the RWTH Aachen University hospital.

A total of 210 miners took part in the pilot study. Participants were selected randomly from a previously identified group of employees – miners active between 1947 and 1968 who had previously been in contact with liquids containing PCB. Participation was voluntary. 96 of the 210 miners were found to have been more heavily exposed to PCB while they were working than the general population. “The pilot study suggests that in years past, these miners were more heavily exposed to PCB. There is no acute risk to health according to currently applicable guide values,” explains IASU Professor Thomas Kraus (Figure 1). Exposure was not limited to any one mine.

The study did not indicate any correlation between increased PCB exposure and possible secondary illnesses. “The results show that there is no acute risk to the health of the miners who took part in the study,” emphasises RAG Deputy Chairman Peter Schrimpf. “They do show, however, that miners were previously exposed to high levels of PCB and that further research is required.”

Participants in the pilot study were offered medical support. “We encouraged participants to undergo examinations in order to reduce possible health effects to a minimum,” says Barbara Schlüter, Chair of the RAG General Works Council.

Every stage of the study was conducted in close coordination with an extensive steering committee, who developed the scientific concept for a possible study and clarified data protection issues. It was also important to consider whether gaining knowledge through the study outweighed any possible apprehension on the part of the miners. The ethics committee at RWTH came to the conclusion that the study could be carried out provided participants were offered follow-up care.

A new method was developed for the study under the scientific leadership of the IASU of the RWTH Aachen University hospital.

A total of more than 1,000 miners were invited to participate in the study. The 210 participants agreed to have their medical history examined in detail and to give blood samples.

Participants in this pilot study were offered medical support in order to identify any possible health impairments. The experts studied specific blood levels and organs that are susceptible to change as a result of PCB-related illnesses.

It would only be possible to determine whether or not there is a correlation between previous exposure to PCB and any subsequent illnesses suffered by miners by carrying out a large-scale follow-up study with several thousand participants. The steering committee responsible for initiating the pilot study will be meeting again to determine the feasibility and possible framework conditions for such a follow-up study.

Following a disaster in a Belgian mine in the 1950s, the mining authorities instructed all mining companies to switch to difficult-to-ignite hydraulic oils, which contained PCB at that time. In the period from the mid-1960s to 1986, hydraulic oils containing PCB were used underground for fire safety reasons. At that time, the hazard potential of PCB was still unknown. After scientific findings indicated that PCB could harm both health and the environment, RAG immediately replaced the liquids in question with alternatives. (RAG/Si.)

On 4th and 5th December 2018, experts from industry, academia and leading industry associations came together on the premises of RWTH Aachen University to commence a dialogue on success factors for high performance mining. The conference was hosted by the Institute for Advanced Mining Technologies (AMT) at RWTH and was supported by VDMA Mining as co-organizer.

It was the first event in Aachen with a focus on high performance mining. In total, the event attracted 175 registered participants, including 21 speakers and 16 exhibitors, from 22 different countries. This indicates clearly that the conference struck a nerve internationally. The main intent of the event was to facilitate a dialogue and active exchange between mining suppliers, technology providers, and international mining companies as well as between industry and research. Especially mining companies appreciated the non-commercial nature of the event that focused on engaging in a sustained objective dialogue.

The 15 presentations delivered over the two days shed light on various aspects of modern high performance mining along the two dimensions human factor and application of technology. Prof. Elisabeth Clausen emphasized the importance of considering both dimensions simultaneously already in the opening speech (Figure 1).

It was therefore the explicit intent of the organizers to take a comprehensive view on the topic of mine productivity. How was a Scandinavian mine able to become the most productive open cast mine in the world in the area of base metals? How is it possible to quadruple the production rate in an underground mine without buying a single new machine? How is it possible to switch a running open cast operation from truck and shovel to a continuous mining system? Why do boards of directors with higher female percentage have such a positive impact on productivity and the bottom line of companies? The international speakers discussed these and many other questions.

The future goal of mining clearly aims at improving productivity, and, at the same time, fundamentally transform mining as an industry to make it more efficient, environmentally compatible and a more attractive employer that also attracts women and the generation Y, e. g. This transformation goes beyond digital workspaces, where machines are controlled from thousands of kilometers away, and also includes how companies deal with sustainability challenges, how they attract and keep talent, and how they deal with the opportunities and challenges around diversity and inclusion.

German suppliers or equipment and technology are well positioned to address the technical dimension of increased productivity. VALE delivered one of the presentations that clearly showed how much in demand they are in the implementation of large-scale international transformation projects. Three leading German technology providers played a crucial part in the success of the largest mining investment project in Brazil.

Especially against the backdrop of the end of coal mining in Germany success stories like these has the VDMA and others look hopeful towards the future. The German mining supply industry is already well positioned, with an export ratio of over 90 %, however, it will have to focus even more on international exports in the years ahead. (Aarti Mona Sörensen (RWTH)/Si.)