TH Georg Agricola

Perpetuity starts at the former Pluto mine in Herne-Wanne/Germany. All the elements that are needed to manage and control post-mining tasks converge at the new control room of RAG Aktiengesellschaft, Essen/Germany (Figure 1). The company is thus ensuring that its water-related processes run smoothly – for the protection of people and the environment.

Monitoring staff man the new control room 24 hours a day. They monitor a range of systems and their processes in the Ruhr, Saar and Ibbenbüren. In addition to performing weather-related monitoring of the open mine, they also monitor the drainage facilities, permanent mining subsidence damage and polder systems, as well as doors and gates at all relevant locations. In the future, an innovative system developed in cooperation with the TH Georg Agricola University (THGA) in Bochum/Germany to monitor rises in the mine water level will play an important role. The monitoring carried out provides information such as the flow speed, composition and flooding of the mine water. As well as the perpetual obligations, all monitoring activities are being transferred to the control room at Pluto in May 2019 in the course of the decommissioning of the Prosper-Haniel mine. Since there will be a lot of important data in one place, maximum security is required.

Special visualisation technology is used for this purpose. It is designed for 24/7 operation and involves a large wall of 14 screens measuring 10 m wide and 2 m high. All key information is displayed on the wall graphically. The information is shown automatically and based on events. If there is a fault, e. g., monitoring staff will be shown the relevant information and instructions. At one of the four workstations, each equipped with five screens, monitoring staff investigate the fault in more detail and alert the responsible employees or on-call service. Behind the visualisation is an innovative platform in the control room system that links together all the data to allow a clear analysis. The system is modular and can be expanded to accommodate further tasks in the future.

The building has 1,700 m² of usable space. It has its own emergency power system, so even if there is a regional power failure, the key monitoring processes will be able to continue running for up to a week. The data is processed and stored by systems in a redundant design: If a component in the process chain fails, the control room remains fully functional. TÜV Rheinland was involved in the construction of the control room right from the start. There are strict requirements. These include operation management and contingency plans, as well as the relevant documentation. (RAG/Si.)

Kamp-Lintfort/Germany, at the edge of the Ruhr valley area: In a place once dominated by noise, dirt, sweat and coal, there is to be a horticultural show in 2020, with millions of visitors descending on the former mining site of Friedrich-Heinrich mine. How to transform former working sites into local recreation areas was one of the focal points of “NACHBergbauzeit in NRW” (Post-mining era in North Rhine-Westphalia). The District Government of Arnsberg as the mining authority for North Rhine-Westphalia and the TH Georg Agricola University (THGA) in Bochum/Germany held the joint specialist conference for the fifth time on 7th March 2019 (Figure 1). Some 300 experts who gathered in Bochum focused this time on the challenges and prospects – and above all, the opportunities – of the post-mining era. As a symbol of this, the former Friedrich-Heinrich mine was featured on this year’s programme flyer.

The event was opened by Bärbel Bergerhoff-Wodopia, Member of the Board of Executives at the RAG-Stiftung, Essen. She took an optimistic view of the future following the end of coal mining in Germany: “The Ruhr was once an important region for mining expertise, now it is a centre of knowledge for the post-mining era. We all want the former mining sites to move forward in their economic development and secure new places of work.” This is one of the reasons why the RAG-Stiftung is supporting the THGA in the scientific training and development of post-mining experts and the research of so-called “perpetual obligations”.

These perpetual obligations include mine water management, polder measures and groundwater management. “These are issues that are more relevant than ever before and that we will be dealing with for many decades to come,” says Mining Assessor Friedrich Wilhelm Wagner, Head of the Department of Mining and Energy in North Rhine-Westphalia in the District Government of Arnsberg. He explains that the fact that the current federal state government has incorporated these aspects in its coalition agreements demonstrates the important role that post-mining issues will play in the future. Even the mining authority itself is planning to expand its risk management activities, according to Wagner, “from the area of abandoned shafts to near-surface mining with its drift systems and water-carrying tunnels.” Others will also benefit from the expertise. Similar problems are also being encountered in many other regions of Germany, particularly in the former coal and ore districts of Bavaria, Lower Saxony, Saxony and Thuringia.

However, even though a lot of research and engineering work is already being carried out, the post-mining era is only just beginning, says University President Prof. Jürgen Kretschmann. “A lot more knowledge needs to be developed and shared. Events like “NACHBergbauzeit in NRW” will help us to do that.” Stakeholders from the science community, business, local communities and authorities engaged in interdisciplinary dialogue over the course of eleven specialist presentations and many lively discussions. “Like mining, post-mining involves everyone,” says Kretschmann. He believes that the significant interest shown by all sides at this early stage demonstrates that post-mining will be an extremely important issue in the future: “If we maintain and build on the current progress being made in the Ruhr, this will enable us to take on a leading international role in post-mining.” The THGA is making good headway in this regard. Since 2015, the university has been investigating the urgent issues that will need to be addressed when mining stops at a unique post-mining research centre. The THGA offers a master’s course in geological engineering and post-mining that teaches young people how to plan and implement the complex processes involved in closing power stations and the follow-up work required – in some cases, in perpetuity. (THGA/Si.)

Digitalisation, competitive pressure, social change: Trends such as these are having a significant impact on requirements for universities. The Georg Agricola Technical University (THGA) in Bochum/Germany, has been focussing on the challenges of the future for some time. In a new university development plan, which it has published at www.thga.de/hochschulentwicklung, the THGA sets out its objectives through to 2022 (Figure 1).

The THGA wants to remain attractive to students and cooperation partners, work from a broad engineering basis and further increase the quality of teaching and research – these are the cornerstones for the coming years. This marks a further important step in the development of the university, which has a 200-year history, says President Prof. Jürgen Kretschmann. “The German coal mining industry, which shaped both our tradition and our self-image, came to an end in 2018. This is a source of deep regret, but we have been repositioning ourselves for some time – as a university of the post-mining era and the industrial future – in order to face up to the complex challenges of tomorrow.”

Immediately following the publication of the first university development plan in 2014, the THGA initiated a comprehensive development process to embrace new strategic opportunities. Many of these have already been implemented. The new university development plan is therefore both a forecast and a status report – and above all a joint publication with contributions from both THGA academics and administrative staff.

The university development plan highlights some areas of action in particular, including the further development of part-time study, which has been on the increase for some years at the THGA. Classes and lectures take place in the evenings and at weekends to give students the flexibility to combine study, family and a career. The THGA is one of the few universities not to charge extra tuition fees for this – a real success story in the region.

The THGA also wants to systematically raise its research profile over the coming years and improve prospects for young researchers at the university. An important aspect of this falls under the motto “Advancement through education.” As an open university dedicated to equal opportunities, the THGA will also continue to actively support those seeking new opportunities through education. “This is how we can contribute to accomplishing perpetual obligations, with teaching, research and knowledge transfer, to the structural change in the former mining regions, to the energy transition, to sustainable raw material extraction and to the industry of the future,” says Prof. Kretschmann.

The THGA also wants to expand its international activities in teaching, research and knowledge transfer by 2022, says Prof. Kretschmann. “It is our tradition to see new concepts as technological and social opportunities and as a university we help shape the transition to make the world a better place – not only in the Ruhr region, in Europe and throughout the world.” Among other things, the university is planning to offer more English-language modules and to make its degree courses more international. It has already taken an important first step in this direction with its “European Engineer” (EUR ING) degree. As of this semester, graduates can also study for a part-time Master’s degree at the THGA. Neither an academic degree nor a job title, the EUR ING serves as a common basis for engineering training and activities throughout Europe. It is proof that the holder of the title has received extensive training and has the relevant professional experience as an engineer, and is recognised as a qualification throughout Europe. (THGA/Si.)

Prof. Jürgen Kretschmann, President of the Technische Hochschule Georg Agricola (THGA), Bochum/Germany, has taken over the presidency of the Society of Mining Professors (SOMP) (Figure 1). This appointment will see him head the world’s leading professional association of mining sciences for one year.

“It’s a great honour to be appointed president. It gives me the opportunity to draw public attention to the significant accomplishments of the German coal mining industry – in precisely the year in which it’s closing down. I also aim to internationally raise awareness of the issue of post-mining among those working in mining science around the world,” said Kretschmann. “Holding this office as the president of a university of applied sciences clearly shows that there is no difference between traditional universities and universities of applied sciences internationally. The only thing that matters is personal achievement.”

Prof. Kretschmann assumed presidency of the SOMP at this year’s 29th annual meeting in Beijing/China. This means that the THGA will host two important conferences in the city of Bochum: In October this year, academics working in the mining sector will meet there to discuss numerous topics, namely the historical significance of the German coal mining industry and Ruhrkohle AG in terms of global development.

The next annual meeting – addressing the future of mining and the issue of post-mining – will then be held in autumn 2019. German academics and the THGA – with its post-mining research centre – are pioneers in both of these fields. (THGA/Si.)

On 12th April 2018, the Technische Hochschule Georg Agricola (THGA) in Bochum/Germany hosted a raw materials day (Figure 1). Prof. Albert Daniels, who organised the event, called the day a huge success. The last few to sign up were still registering one day before the event, and in the end there were exactly 200 names on the list of participants. This far exceeded all expectations. Feedback given during the event was extremely positive, and every participant was able to expand their knowledge and take part in lively discussions. The exhibitors also had plenty of conversation opportunities.

In particular, “deals” – which were suggested by Prof. Daniels – were met with an overwhelming response. These “deals” involve THGA and raw materials companies collaborating in the companies’ regions to advertise the mining sector and the study programme. He has already received offers of numerous “deals”.
(THGA/Si.)

Mining mineral raw materials is the biggest “mass movement” in the world. Every year, more than 30 bn t of rock, earth, ore and energy feedstocks are extracted worldwide. They form the basis of modern life. The raw materials industry offers a wealth of career prospects as a result. Georg Agricola Technical University (THGA) in Bochum/Germany offers the perfect stepping stone towards them thanks to its new Master’s programme in “Mineral Resource and Process Engineering”, the only one of its kind in Germany. The hands-on degree focussing on extracting and processing resources starts in the 2017/18 winter semester and can be completed as a full-time programme or as a part-time degree alongside a job (Figure 1).

What is special about the programme is its combination of subjects and unusual flexibility, according to course leader Prof. Ludger Rattmann: “It is a programme with unlimited possibilities. Students can freely choose to focus on either “Mineral Resource Engineering” or “Process Engineering”. There is a pool of courses from which they can independently make up their own personal programme of studies.” In addition to classic lecture courses, it also includes many different practical elements, simulation exercises, e-learning and small independent projects. This prepares the prospective engineers for developing strategies and techniques on a large scale – “always keeping in mind that natural resources must be handled sustainably,” adds Prof. Rattmann.

The Master’s programme includes research-oriented practical training at a company or organisation in the raw materials sector – including preparation, recycling, energy efficiency, health and safety and environmental protection. Besides engineering content, the programme also teaches management skills, preparing candidates for leadership jobs. As there is huge demand both nationally and internationally, the tuition at THGA is in English and German. The “Mineral Resource Engineering” branch of study can also be completed entirely in English.

Overview of the Master’s programme in “Mineral Resource and Process Engineering”:

• starts in 2017/18 winter semester;
• length of the programme: four semesters (full-time)/six semesters (part-time);
• degree awarded: Master of Science (M.Sc.).

Entrance requirements:

• first higher education degree qualifying for entry to a profession (Bachelor’s degree or diploma) in raw material extraction, process engineering or a comparable discipline;
• adequate knowledge of English and German.

For further information and to apply, visit: www.thga.de/mrpe (THGA/Si.)

Around 9,000 km as the crow flies separate Medellín in Colombia and Bochum in Germany. However, there is one thing they share over this great distance – both towns are home to distinguished universities with a focus on raw materials science. The Universidad Nacional de Colombia (UNAL) and the Georg Agricola Technical University (THGA) have been in partnership since 2015. For the first time, a group of 15 UNAL students has now visited the THGA and not only got to know the university, but also gained diverse perspectives of the “mining region” (Figure 1).

Colombia is one of Germany’s three most important coal suppliers. While the Ruhr region is preparing for the closure of the last mines at the end of 2018, the South American country is extracting more than 85 mt/a of “mined gold”. Crude oil, nickel and gold are also mined on a large scale, with the demand for young talent in raw materials engineering being equally large. Their studies at the UNAL focus increasingly on the issues of sustainability and environmental protection, as the Colombian mining industry has much catching up to do in these areas and is the target of criticism both nationally and internationally. It was for this reason that the students from Medellín who visited Bochum with their Professor Oscar Jaime Restrepo Baena were especially interested in the world’s only Research Institute of Post-Mining which is located at the THGA, as well as the Master’s program in Geoengineering and Post-Mining. Over the course of a laboratory tour and joint workshops with THGA researchers and students, the young engineering talent from UNAL exchanged knowledge about the latest technologies and processes for handling the consequences of mining.

On two extended tours, the Colombians discovered how the Ruhr mining region was impacted by coal mining and how it has changed during the gradual phase-out. They started by visiting the Zollverein coal mine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the on-site Ruhr Museum, followed by a climb up the Schurenbach slag heap where they took in its impressive panorama over the northern Ruhr region. (THGA/Si.)

35 bn t of raw materials are mined annually around the world. Germany produces the majority of the raw materials it needs autonomously. In 2015, their total value amounted to 13.4 bn €. Handling the consequences of mining responsibly plays a crucial role in the acceptance of mining by the population – as political decision-makers are aware. At a parliamentary breakfast on 8th March 2017, Georg Agricola Technical University (THGA), Bochum/Germany, briefed interested members of the German parliament about research and teaching in the field of sustainable raw materials recovery (Figure 1). The brief focussed on the activities of the world‘s only Research Institute of Post-Mining (FZN), which is located at THGA. Bernd Westphal, spokesman for the SPD Committee and Working Group on Economy and Energy, proposed the parliamentary breakfast together with Manfred Freitag, Managing Director of the THGA holding company, DMT-LB.

THGA President Jürgen Kretschmann explained to the members of the German parliament that Germany covers over 70 % of its raw materials consumption through domestic mining. Globally, more and more raw materials are being produced and consumed. They play an extremely significant role in high-tech applications, such as for generating and using renewable energies. “Research into sustainable raw materials recovery is all the more important – both in Germany and for Germany, because many of the raw materials we require are produced in other countries,” said Kretsch-mann. “The recovery of raw materials is not without consequences. Managing these consequences and minimising risks are now prerequisites for the continued acceptance of mining. No sustainability, no mining.” As the only technical university in Germany that focusses on raw materials science, the THGA has set the topic of post-mining firmly on its scientific agenda.

Bärbel Bergerhoff-Wodopia, Member of the Board of Executives of the RAG-Stiftung, Essen/Germany, outlined the RAG-Stiftung’s funding of the THGA‘s research: “Soon after the new Board of Executives took office, we decided that a centre for post-mining was necessary to conduct research into handling the consequences of mining. We have therefore funded an endowed chair for post-mining at the THGA, which was occupied brilliantly by Prof. Christian Melchers.” According to her, the FZN has developed superbly and made important contributions, especially in terms of research into water retention. “Water retention is a highly sensitive issue in all those areas where coal mining is coming to an end. Independent, scientific projects on this subject contribute to the necessary objectification,” said Bergerhoff-Wodopia.

The endowed chair and Scientific Head of the FZN, Prof. Christian Melchers, gave a presentation on the significance of his area of expertise and the work of the FZN to the members of German parliament: “Germany is a country with a long mining tradition.” In Saxony alone, around 75 % of the populated area was used for mining operations in the past, while there are active or former mining sites in more than 50 % of all communities in North Rhine-Westphalia. This poses major, lasting challenges for society, which are funded by the public sector in many cases – e. g. by Wismut GmbH in the former east German uranium mining industry, and the Lausitzer und Mitteldeutsche Bergbau-Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH (LMBV) in the lignite mining industry. “Coal mining in the Ruhr, the Saar region and in Ibbenbüren is distinguished by the fact that mining operators pay for the traces of mining activities themselves. Nowhere else in the world is a system like that.” Melchers went on to emphasise that the issues of overground and underground water retention are central to managing the consequences of mining. “This is the exciting question: How high does the mine water need to rise in order to initiate a process which is as sustainable as possible? It makes no ecological or economical sense to permanently remove large volumes of water from great depths in mining regions. A controlled rise in the mine water level is the most sustainable solution in this respect.” He asserted that it is important to ensure that society and decision-makers are made aware of these issues and the scientifically funded processes for finding solutions to them. (THGA/Si.)

More and more countries are worried about the effects of coal-based power generation and are increasing their efforts to address the consequences of mining operations in a sustainable way. The Georg Agricola Technical University (THGA) in Bochum/Germany is engaged in pioneering work in this field and is therefore a popular partner for research and training worldwide: In the future, the state-operated Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) will collaborate with training specialist DMT-LB, the THGA’s holding company, on post-mining activities. A corresponding cooperation agreement was signed on 17th November 2016 in Bangkok/Thailand by the Chairman of the Executive Board at DMT-LB, the President of the THGA, Prof. Jürgen Kretschmann, and the EGAT Director of Mining, Thaworn Ngamganokwan (Figure 1).

EGAT is by far the most important energy supplier in the emerging Southeast Asian country and produces around 37 % of all electricity in Thailand. Approximately one fifth of this is generated at coal-fired power stations. Among others, EGAT operates the Mae Moh facility in the north of the country, which is home to the largest open-cast lignite mine in Southeast Asia. This site covers an area of 135 km² and supplies around 16 mt of lignite per year. Mining operations have been underway since the 1950s and are scheduled to be terminated in 2051.

“Anyone looking at the German lignite mining area in the Lower Rhine and Lusatia regions will have some idea of the major challenges being faced at the huge site in Mae Moh,” explained Prof. Kretschmann on the occasion of signing the contract. “We are happy to support Thailand in finding secure and environmentally friendly solutions, as well as developing a sustainable post-utilisation strategy.” This included both risk management – incorporating ecological, economic and social aspects – and concrete measures, such as safeguarding and cleaning up contaminated areas or those at risk of landslides. The Research Institute of Post-Mining and the geotechnics experts from the THGA can support the Thai company with their expertise here. Alongside joint research and development projects, the collaboration is also to include basic and advanced training. In fact, EGAT is keen to send selected employees to the THGA to complete Masters degrees or dissertation projects.

Experience from the Ruhr region has shown that cultural factors also have an important part to play for the future-oriented handling of the post-mining age. “Maintaining an industrial culture and creatively filling it with life makes a big difference with regard to how people experience and accept processes of change,” explained Prof. Kretschmann. This is why the German Mining Museum (DBM) has also been included in the collaboration with EGAT. The THGA and the DBM are both financed by DMT-LB. (THGA, Si.)

TU Clausthal (TUC), Clausthal-Zellerfeld/Germany, and the Georg Agricola Technical University (THGA) in Bochum/Germany, want to work together in future, particularly in the fields of mining, post-mining and process engineering. Prof. Alfons Esderts, TU Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer, and Prof. Jürgen Kretschmann, President of the Bochum-based university, have signed an appropriate cooperation agreement (Figure 1).

The cooperation was initiated by Clausthal professor Oliver Langefeld from the Institute of Mining, who is also on the THGA council: “I am familiar with both institutes; there are multiple starting points for cooperation that could be beneficial on both sides,” said Prof. Langefeld. THGA President Prof. Kretschmann emphasised the following: “Mining and the recovery of raw materials are still extremely important for Germany, which is why it is good when two leading universities in this field develop their connection further.”

In spring 2016, THGA celebrated its 200th anniversary. Of its 2,400 or so students, approximately 80 % come from the surrounding area. Although the university has always place particular emphasis on application-based teaching, it is currently in the process of stepping up its research activities. In October of last year, the university founded the Research Institute of Post-Mining. What will be left when the miners have all gone? Researchers are dedicating themselves to this question and finding numerous reference points in this area to TUC, which is also involved with sustainability and reuse in mining.

The Westphalians want to introduce a Master’s degree in “Mining + Processing” to the range of courses available. In the winter semester of 2014, the region’s first English-language Master’s degree in Mining Engineering was successfully launched at TUC. “We will be delighted if TU Clausthal agrees to participate in the development of our internationally oriented course,” said Prof. Kretschmann.

In addition to the field of geological engineering and mining – with teaching focussing on rocks and soils – the Bochum university also specialises in mechanical and process engineering and in electronic and information technology. According to Prof. Esderts, this is another area where there may be further opportunities for cooperation. (TUC/Si.)