We live in a most fascinating world that is constantly changing. The saying: “We are changing the earth even before we are able to understand it” is most appropriate. Unfortunately among the reasons of this change is also mining activities. Profound interference by mining in the environment doesn’t encourage many friends. However it is hard to imagine any well-functioning economy without mineral resources.

So you may ask what kind of were behind the organizing of the International Mining Forum. I believe that it is possible to combine the development of the mining industry with the implementation of sustained development (defined by the Brundtland Comission as “development that meets the needs of the present generation without undermining the capacity of future generations to meet their needs”). The reflection of a Polish scientist, former rector of the AGH-University of Science and Technology, professor Walery Goetel “What industry breaks down, technology has to repair, that which industry threatens, technology has to defend” remains valid. It is possible to acomplish this goal through changes and further development of mining technologies. This huge challenge has to be realized by the mining sector, continously seeking new solutions in the area of its influence on the environment. Solutions that will also be compatible with work safety, of course.

This work comprises technical papers that were presented at the International Mining Forum in Kraków-Szczyrk –Wieliczka, Poland, held on 25-28 February 2004.

The two major themes of this seminar were:

• new technologies in underground exploitation,
• safety in mines.

This book is addressed to researchers and professionals who work in the fields of underground mining technology, rock engineering or management of mines.

The topics discussed in this book are:

1. trends in the mining industry,
2. new solutions and tendencies in underground mining technology,
3. rock engineering problems in uderground mines,
4. utilization and exploitation of methane,
5. prevention measures for the control of rock bursts in Polish mines,
6. current problems in Ukrainian coal mines.

The International Mining Forum was held thanks to the support of the Chair of Underground Mining, the Faculty of Mining and Geoengineering of the University of Science and Technology (AGH), Mineral and Energy Economy Research Institute of Polish Academy of Science in Cracow, KGHM Polska Miedz SA, FTT Stomil Wolbrom, Jastrzebska Coal Company, Katowice Coal Holding, CUPRUM Ltd, BLASTEXPOL Ltd, GLINIK Ltd, MIDO Ltd, MMDE ZOK Ltd. The organizers would also like to express their gratitude to all the other persons, companies and institutions, who helped in bringing the Forum into being. We hope that the Forum will throw a new light on mining and will contribute to the exchanging of interesting experiences.

Jerzy Kicki

Chairman of the Organizing Committee

See also: 

• Articles
• IMF 2004 at CRC Press Online