THGA

Fourteen budding engineers for raw material extraction from the TH Georg Agricola University in Bochum/Germany visited WESTKALK’s Kallenhardt plant on a study trip (Figure 1). They were accompanied on their excursion by a drone, which documented the university group’s activities with a photo flight.

Nowadays, drones are used for surveying, which is required in quarries for their annual mass calculation, to enable precise calculation of the fractional interest rate for the lessors and the product stock for inventory purposes. WESTKALK does not currently use drone surveys. The THGA university groups’ excursions now regularly involve drone flight documentation, says excursion leader Prof. Albert Daniels.

As part of their quarry visit, the stu-dents learnt about the geology of the compacted Devonian lime and the large-scale technology used at the Kallenhardt plant. Even three years after commissioning, the crushing plant, with its combination of drum screening and impact mill, is unique in Germany. The project was funded by the Federal Environment Ministry.

The WESTKALK pilot project contributes to an improved use of deposits and therefore to a significantly reduced land use – as the Federal Environment Ministry stated in a press release at the time. The argillaceous substances are first crushed in a drum screen and then filtered out. The pre-screening material produced is cleaned in the stone washing plant to process the limestone it contains into marketable products. Owing to the improved separation of valuable rock and waste material, blasted raw material heavily mixed with clay can be transported to the crushing plant. That reduces the proportion of unused valuable rock on the spoil tip from around 30 to less than 5 %. The resulting increase in the usage rate of the deposit leads to an almost optimal raw materials efficiency. (WESTKALK/Si.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

“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.)