Siberian Federal University

The Institute of Mining, Geology and Geotechnology, SFU, hosted a student conference on computer applications for mining and mineral exploration. The Institute was also one of the organizers of MINEX Siberia 2008, a business forum held in Krasnoyarsk 28-30 April 2008.

This business forum, the second meeting of MINEX Siberia, brought together mining and mineral exploration experts, mine site representatives, financial groups interested in investing in mining and mineral exploration, mining-related computer software developers and equipment manufacturers.

Forum participants said that the mining industry's main problem is how to make 3D geological modelling systems used to estimate mineral resources compatible with traditional Russian governmental accounting systems. 3D geological modelling improves the estimation of mineral reserves and makes it easier for companies to be publicly listed on the stock exchange. However, these calculations are not easily approved by the State Committee of Russia's Reserves.

Another challenge for the industry is the lack of skilled labour. This gap is being reduced by the Institute of Mining, Geology and Geotechnology whose graduates win first places at geoinformation competitions, have practical industry experience and easily obtain employment in Siberia and elsewhere in Russia.

Conference participants presented their course papers, Master's dissertations and PhD theses. A faculty member from the Freiburg Mining Academy gave a talk on electronic and optic microscopy in applied geology. Ivan Makarov from the Institute of Mining, Geology and Geotechnology spoke on mineral exploration with a pilotless vehicle and presented the plane electronics used for space orienteering. Vitaly Fisenko, the best conference presenter, was invited for a placement year in BHP Billiton, a global company. Eighteen conference participants received Micromine certificates showing that they had successfully mastered this geoinformation software application.