On 15th May 2020, the TH Georg Agricola University (THGA), Bochum/Germany, appointed Kai van de Loo as honorary professor. Prof. van de Loo has already been passing his knowledge on to budding industrial engineers at the THGA for many years in his role as lecturer. From 1992 to May 2020, he worked for the German Coal Association (GVSt), Essen/Germany, in various functions and roles. In future, Prof. van de Loo will also be contributing his expertise to the Research Institute of Post-Mining (FZN) at the THGA.