Technische Hochschule Georg Agricola

The question of how sustainable digitalisation can be achieved in post-mining was the focus of the symposium “Nachbergbauzeit NRW 2025 – Digitalisation meets tradition” held on 20th March 2025 at the Student Centre of the TH Georg Agricola University (THGA) in Bochum/Germany (Figure 1). Around 250 participants were able to experience in a variety of presentations and direct exchanges how much and what is already technically possible and successfully in use. The post-mining era in North Rhine-Westphalia thus built a thematic bridge from the traditional and historically immensely influential mining industry to the future and to state-of-the-art digital technologies.

Organised by the Research Center of Post-Mining (FZN) and the Department of Mining and Energy of the Arnsberg District Government, the event offered a nationally and internationally unique platform to show how digitalisation and traditional methods work together to sustainably master the challenges of post-mining.

The open and technically diverse structure of the post-mining era in North Rhine-Westphalia was addressed right at the start of the conference. In his welcome address, Prof. Christian Melchers, head of the FZN, aptly stated in line with the conference motto: “We have a treasure in the Ruhr region. And it is no longer hard coal. It is data.” Prof. ­Melchers not only emphasised the high value of geodata and the opportunities its digitalisation offers us, but also ventured a positive regional outlook for the coming decades: “The Ruhr region has the opportunity to become the greenest industrial region in the world!”

Post-mining is more than a regional issue – it is a project for the future with global relevance. Prof. Susanne Lengyel, President of the THGA, made this unmistakably clear. Her focus is on the young professionals who will help shape this change. “Together with our students and future graduates, we want to tackle the tasks that post-mining in particular brings with it,” emphasised Lengyel. For her, one thing is certain: cutting-edge research alone is not enough. We need people who are willing to take responsibility and break new ground. “The demand for raw materials is growing worldwide. We need to deal with this in a sustainable and responsible manner. These are all important issues that will occupy us today – and in the future.”

Heinrich Böckelühr, District President of the Arnsberg District Government, followed with a brief insight into the historical dimension of mining, the development of post-mining in North Rhine-Westphalia and the resulting challenges. He emphasised the importance of the Post-Mining Period in North Rhine-Westphalia, which is now taking place for the eighth time, describing it as a “genuine traditional event”. Heinrich Böckelühr also pointed out the enormous opportunities offered by digital technologies, e. g. in hazard prevention. According to the District President, the further digitalisation of the mining authority is indispensable and remains a key priority.

Bärbel Bergerhoff-Wodopia, member of the Executive Board of the RAG-Stiftung, spoke in her speech about sustainable financing and coping with perpetual obligations after the end of German coal mining. She particularly highlighted the FZN’s path to becoming a transformation centre for georesources and ecology (TGÖ). This development is a decisive step towards linking science, transfer and innovation more closely and providing forward-looking impetus for the sustainable use of georesources. Bergerhoff-Wodopia: “We are committed to supporting and accompanying the TGÖ on its journey, because we are certain that knowledge creates the basis for shaping a sustainable and liveable future!”

North Rhine-Westphalia, once an important mining region, has long since developed into a post-mining region. Today, the region uses its extensive experience and innovative knowledge to record and manage the traces of intensive raw material extraction. The symposium impressively demonstrated how historical legacy data and modern geodata can be combined to promote the sustainable management of post-mining landscapes.

The use of drones in post-mining, 3D modelling, improvements in digital maps for risk management, automation in geomonitoring, digitised water management, the use of AI and open data systems: the speakers were able to shed light on post-mining from a variety of topics and perspectives, visualise science in their presentations and explore potential.

The combination of lectures, discussions and networking opportunities, as well as the multi-perspective approach to the topic, once again proved to be a great asset to the eighth Post-Mining Period, as Prof. Melchers noted: “The Nachbergbauzeit NRW 2025 was a complete success. The concept has once again proven its worth. Comprehensive content, interesting presentations and great encounters already have me looking forward to the next Nachbergbauzeit NRW 2027.” (THGA/Si.)

How can the world power itself in the long term? And how can we make sustainable use of raw materials in the future? Experts frequently exchange ideas on these topics at the “Mining, Energy and Raw Materials” conference held by the Deutscher Mark­scheider-Verein (DMV). This year, the conference took place at the Montan­universität Leoben in Austria. Specialists from the TH Georg Agricola (THGA) University of Applied Sciences, Bochum/Germany, also take advantage of this forum to discuss issues with other industry experts. Stefan Schnell, graduate from the professional Master’s course “Geological Engineering and Post-Mining” offered by the THGA, was awarded the Oskar Niemczyk prize for his innovative monitoring system “Mineberry” (Figure 1). The conference will come to Bochum and the THGA for the first time in 2019.
Stefan Schnell’s concept was able to win over the expert jury: For his Master’s thesis, this 37 year old developed a monitoring system that can control the surface openings of former mining operations. Openings of this kind left over from mining operations near to the surface, sometimes centuries old, are particularly prevalent in the southern Ruhr region. Stefan Schnell’s employer, RAG Aktiengesellschaft, is monitoring around 4,000 old shafts in this area. Approximately 20 of these shafts are repaired each year. “The large number of legacies means that not all properties can be completely overhauled with immediate effect, so monitoring technologies are required on a transitional basis,” explains Stefan Schnell, referring to his idea, developed in conjunction with a number of electrical engineers at the THGA. The sensors on his Mineberry detect the smallest changes or ground motion at the surface. “If anything subsides, the responsible engineer immediately receives a live image on their mobile. Everything is powered by environmentally-friendly solar cells.” The guide in Stefan Schnell’s Master’s thesis will serve as the groundwork for the implementation of such monitoring systems in future. (THGA/Si.)

What happens when miners leave and water comes in? What do you have to watch out for to ensure nature and the environment are not affected negatively? The independent “Mining and Water Forum” trust foundation, which has started up in Essen/Germany (Figure 1), is dedicated to answering questions like these concerning mine water plans. The board of trustees, composed of international experts, aims to investigate the risks and opportunities arising from them – and includes Prof. Christian Melchers, scientific director at the Research Institute of Post-Mining at Georg Agricola Technical University (THGA) in Bochum/Germany, who has been appointed deputy chairman. The findings should help to optimise previous mine water plans for the coal fields in the Ruhr, Saar and Ibbenbüren regions on a sustainable basis. RAG Aktiengesellschaft is supporting the foundation by providing 5 m e over the next five years.

After the last ton of German coal has been brought to the surface at the end of 2018, the aim is for the mine water to rise to a level that will not have a negative impact on the environment. The existing plans have allowed for this. However, critics fear there may be negative effects on drinking water and the environment. According to Prof. Melchers, the discussion shows that there is room to optimise the rise in mine water levels, which could be resolved by further research.

To carry out this research, the foundation has appointed six recognised international experts in hydrogeology – the science of water in the earth’s crust – and mine water to its board of trustees. “We are independent and carry out research for practical applications. Our research results should contribute to developing economically and ecologically sustainable solutions for people and nature,” says chairman Prof. Josef Klostermann, the former director of the North-Rhine-Westphalian Geological Service.

The foundation carries out its own research projects, but also funds third-party projects, explains Prof. Melchers: “Fundamental and applied research is supported. We welcome initiatives from expert groups and the interested public.” A major dialogue event is set to take place later this year as a result. Any interested citizens, authorities or political bodies can participate and contribute their own ideas in order to identify the challenges faced. “In addition, these events aim to help clarify the complex associations of rising mine water levels and therefore to increase acceptance in society.”

The independence of the new foundation is guaranteed. RAG, as a backer, cannot have any influence on the organisation’s work. This is monitored by the foundations association (Stifterverband), which manages the assets. In addition, RAG has committed to taking the experts’ suggestions into account in its mine water plans and to put them into practice.

Besides Prof. Melchers and Prof. Klostermann, the experts of the “Mining and Water Forum” include Prof. Maria-Theresia Schafmeister from the University of Greifswald/Germany, Prof. Christian Wolkersdorfer from the Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria/South Africa, Prof. Sylke Hilberg from the University of Salzburg/Austria, Prof. Georg Wieber from the University of Mainz/Germany and Rainer Lüdtke, who coordinates the non-profit-making trust foundation for the foundations association. (THGA/Si.)

“Rare earths” are an essential part of modern technology. These metals – which, despite their name, are not actually very rare – are used in a large number of high-tech applications, including high-performance magnets that can be found e. g. in wind turbine generators or electric car engines. The market is currently dominated by Chinese producers. A German-Brazilian research project wants to offer an alternative. Under the “Rare Earth Global Industry and New Application” (REGINA) project, industrial engineering expert Prof. Alfred Niski from Georg Agricola Technical University (THGA) in Bochum/Germany is investigating marketing opportunities (Figure 1). The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is donating around 280,000 € to fund Prof. Niski’s research over the next three years.

“At the moment, China is a quasi-monopolist for rare earths and also dominates the market for products based on them, such as high-performance magnets,” says Prof. Niski. “Its market-dominating position means it can dictate the prices, which can put industrial customers in Germany, e. g., at a disadvantage. In addition, environmental and social standards are often not adhered to in Chinese production. In applications such as electromobility or regenerative energy production this is simply unacceptable.” However, REGINA is focussing on the emerging market of Brazil. With around 22 mt, it has the second-largest reserves of rare earth metals in the world (China: 55 mt). Eight partners from Germany and Brazil – four universities, three non-university research institutes and one raw materials company – want to support the development of Brazilian reserves locally in the joint research project, and to optimise the entire value chain from the processing of raw materials to their use in high-tech products.

The team of researchers under Prof. Niski at THGA will firstly investigate the market for rare earth-based high-performance magnets and compare it against a strength/weakness analysis of Brazilian production. Taking this as a basis, the Bochum-based industrial engineers will then develop strategies and concrete business models, taking into account the political aspects of raw materials. The aim is to establish Brazil as the second noteworthy supplier of rare earths in Germany. “Rare earths are a key factor in the supply of raw materials in Germany,” says Prof. Niski. “It is important that German companies do not make themselves unilaterally dependent on China, but have alternatives in the form of Brazilian suppliers. I hope that, with our work, we can contribute to greater sustainability from an ecological, economic and social perspective. The aim should be for rare earth products to be produced in a fairer, cleaner way than in the past.”

More support is currently being sought for Prof. Niski’s project team: Master’s graduates in technical business management or industrial engineering can apply to Prof. Niski for a position as a research associate. There is also the opportunity to pursue doctoral studies.

The following institutions and companies are participating in REGINA:

• Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC/Fraunhofer Project Group for Materials Recycling and Resource Strategies IWKS;
• Darmstadt Technical University;
• Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology;
• Clausthal Technical University;
• Georg Agricola Technical University;
• CERTI Centros de Referência em Tecnologias Inovadoras (Centers of Reference in Innovative Technologies, Florianópolis, Brazil);
• Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (Santa Catarina University, Florianópolis, Brazil); and
• Companhia Brasileira de Metalurgia e Mineração (CBMM), Araxá, Brazil.

REGINA is supported by the BMBF under the “CLIENT II – International Partnerships for Sustainable Innovations” funding scheme within the “FONA – Research for Sustainable Development” framework funding programme. (THGA/Si.)

Marcus Plien, Lecturer at the Georg Agricola Technical University (THGA) in Bochum/Germany, has been named an Honorary Fellow of the Mandalay Technological University (TUM) in Myanmar. Plien has taught International Quality Management, Project Management and Risk Management at the TUM since 2013. His visiting lectureship was funded by the THGA. This honour issued by the TUM commended Plien‘s commitment to ensuring students in Myanmar kept up to date with international developments in economics and science in particular.

Crude oil, natural gas, coal and metals – raw materials giant Russia extracts millions of tons of its mineral resources every year and continues to work hard to develop new resources. To do so, it relies increasingly on efficiency, sustainability and reliable production processes – all of which are aspects that are also important to the Georg Agricola Technical University (THGA), BochumUGermany. Thanks to closer cooperation with the Belgorod State Technological University (BSTU), expertise will now hopefully be shared between Bochum and Russia: The first Russian students from Belgorod are due to arrive at the THGA in autumn and will spend the winter semester in Bochum. In addition, there will also be an exchange of teachers.
The two universities have been cooperating since 2015. In order to boost further cooperation, scientists from the THGA visited the west Russian university in the summer. During their visit, they exchanged views on current developments in conveyor and drive technology. The first joint research project on mechanical engineering in the cement industry is due to begin this coming winter semester. In addition, the THGA staff had the opportunity to explore Europe’s largest open-pit iron ore mine, Gubkin, on their visit (Figure 1). The mine is now having to face the consequences of 40 years of extraction. Post-mining experts at the THGA are helping to recultivate large areas or make use of closed mines, e. g. by means of technical energy systems. (THGA/Si.)