Current issue 6/2025

Editorial

Our daily lives are governed by standards, such as DIN A4 as the standardised size for the height and width of certain sheets of paper. In Germany, standardisation is the responsibility of the German Institute for Standardisation (DIN), at European level it is the responsibility of the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) and internationally it is the responsibility of the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). This edition of the Mining Report Glückauf highlights the current challenges facing standardisation in the mining and raw materials industry.

After a brief introduction to standardisation and, in particular, the tasks of DIN as an independent platform for standardisation in Germany and worldwide, we focus on the current tasks of standardisation in mining and the raw materials industry. Historically characterised by dimensional standards, today it focuses on safety standards, digitalisation, automation, cyber security and, more recently, the creation of an international standard for the management of mining impacts. The interactions between business and science, which drive the development of new technologies and business models, as well as complex ethical challenges in which technological, economic, ecological and social aspects are intertwined, must also always be taken into account.

In the “ISSA Mining” section, we look back on the VISION ZERO Sustainable Mining Conference, which took place from 13th to 15th October 2025 at the TH Georg Agricola University (THGA) in Bochum/Germany and culminated in the signing of the “Bochum Declaration for Sustainable Mining and Post-Mining”, which aims to anchor the joint commitment to the Vision Zero strategy and the “Seven Golden Rules” of the International Social Security Association (ISSA) in global mining and post-mining. The “Post-Mining” section presents the status of implementation of RAG Aktiengesellschaft’s mine water concept and explains the current economic policy positions of the German Chambers of Industry and Commerce on ten topics relevant to post-mining.

Finally, allow me to say a few words on my own behalf. After eleven years as editor-in-chief of this magazine, I will be retiring at the end of the year. I wish my successor, who has already served as editor-in-chief of the magazine for many years, the best of luck in this role. I would like to thank all authors, advertisers and other supporters, as well as you, dear readers, for your goodwill and loyalty to this magazine. I hope you will continue to support Mining Report Glückauf in the future!

With my best regards