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.)
Fig. 1. Plenty more to achieve in post-mining: A visit to the Gubkin open-pit iron ore mine makes it clear, that the challenges ahead are considerable – as are the opportunities. // Bild 1. Viel zu tun in Sachen Nachbergbau: Beim Besuch des Eisenerztagebaus Gubkin wird deutlich, wie groß die Herausforderungen sind – aber auch die Chancen. Photo/Foto: THGA
