Dubrovnik International ESEE Mining school – DIM ESEE 2019 was held from October 14th to 19th in the Inter-University Centre in Dubrovnik under the topic Small mining sites – Innovation in mining, with the participation of international experts for primary and secondary raw materials in the ESEE region.
The course gathered 43 participants, mostly MA and PhD students, from 10 different countries (Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Finland, Hungary, Kosovo, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, and Ukraine), representing 16 different institutions all around Europe, as well as 16 lecturers from 9 different institutions. Besides the regular lecturers, the School hosted several invited guests speakers that opened this year’s edition with introductory lessons on the future of European raw materials sector, future with industrial minerals and future of Europe’s copper industry. There was also a round table under the topic Innovation in mining.
These are the conclusions of the panellists from the round table:
Dr. Patrick Nadoll (EIT GmbH): Contemporary complex issues require smart solutions, but education remains the key. Everything should be addressed in an integrated way, so other than educated and smart workforce, we need all the stakeholders and wider public to understand what it means to be sustainable, ethical and environmentally friendly.
Dr. Imre Gombkötő (EIT RawMaterials): The key is in encouraging everyone to be goal oriented, proactive and open-minded about changes and innovations – to encourage more entrepreneurial mind-set!
Dr. Roman Dychkovskyi (Dnipro University of Technology): The main challenges would be keeping the students and new generations motivated to be in mining sector, managing waste in proper way and finally, securing social responsibility in mining territory.
Dr. Mark Loveitt (International Wrought Copper Council): Education is a key platform to innovation, and innovation is key to progress. Companies that are already producing metals and minerals responsibly need to educate the others who are not and raise awareness on a bigger scale.
During five days of academic program, participants managed to learn more and discuss on the future and innovation potential for small and intermediate size deposits, as well as topics such as the future of EU mining sector, innovation in mining, EU legislation and urban mining, innovation and optimization of exploitation and cement industry.
There was also a creative and team-oriented aspect of the School, where participants worked in six groups on practical case studies, mentored by lecturers, and tested the theoretical knowledge gained during the lectures in practice.
Other than the educational aspect, the School also offered social activities aimed at integration encouragement, such as the guided city tour and half-day field trip to nearby town Cavtat and dinner at traditional Dalmatian restaurant.
