THGA

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.)

Accounting for 18 % of electricity production, coal is one of the most important sources of energy in Germany. The lion’s share of the coal used comes from abroad, with around 16 % from Colombia. This makes the South American country the third largest supplier after Russia and the USA. As a result of ecological crimes and the violation of human rights, however, the Colombian coal industry is currently in crisis. With this in mind, the Georg Agricola Technical University (THGA), Bochum/Germany, is working on ways to ensure greater sustainability. President of the THGA, Prof. Dr. Jürgen Kretschmann, and economist Prof. Dr. Alfred Niski travelled to Colombia to meet colleagues, students and industry representatives.

Since November 2015, the THGA has been a partner university of the Universidad National de Colombia (National University of Colombia – UNAL). The delegates met at its mining faculty in Medillín. There, Kretschmann and Niski told students about the higher education system in Germany and presented opportunities for studying at the THGA. The regional conference of the Society of Mining Professors (SOMP), which also took place in Medillín (Figure 1), also had the objective of intensifying scientific exchange. The most important meeting of raw materials scientists in the world brought together almost every mining university in Latin America for the first time. Representatives from Spain and the two delegates from Bochum were the only European participants.

During the subsequent national congress of the Colombian mining industry, attendees put questions to the two THGA professors as experts in sustainability. While Kretschmann’s presentation focussed on occupational and environmental protection as well as risk management in coal production, Niski discussed opportunities for sustainable conflict management. “The Colombian coal industry is controlled by international corporations that are not concerned with the rights of the local population. Some conflicts are dealt with at gunpoint, property rights and the traditions of indigenous peoples are completely ignored. A sustainable solution can only be found by entering into fair dialogue with all involved, with special consideration for the weakest members of society,” says Niski.

“We must act as ambassadors for the sustainable extraction of raw materials in South America,” adds THGA President Kretschmann. “Human rights, environmental protection and occupational safety standards, as drawn up by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) must also apply to the Colombian coal industry. Economics Minister for North Rhine-Westphalia Garrelt Duin and Chairman of the Board of IG BCE Michael Vassiliadis have already said the same thing. Our domestic power must not be supplied at the expense of people and the environment elsewhere. For this reason, we are keen to support our colleagues at the UNAL and further intensify the exchange of knowledge.” (THGA/Si)