The School of Underground Exploitation is the biggest mining conference in Poland, attracting 400 to 500 participants every year. It has been organised for over 20 years and 2012 is the 21st edition. This year it will be held in Krakow, February 20-24. The mining sector in Poland is very significant for the country’s economy – with over 90% of the energy produced from coal. The country hosts over 30 hard coal mines and four lignite mines. It also has one of the largest copper producers in the world – KGHM.

In December Quadra FNX Mining entered into a definitive agreement with KGHM Polska Miedź pursuant to which KGHM has agreed to acquire Quadra FNX. KGHM, which is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange with a market capitalization of approximately $8 billion, is the world’s ninth largest producer of copper and third largest producer of silver.

Among Poland’s coal mines, Bogdanka is leading the world in applying longwall plough technology; Kompania Weglowa is the one of the biggest mining companies in Europe and JSW is the leading producer of coking coal.

The framework program for the conference is as follows:

Monday 20.02.2012 – QUBUS Hotel Conference Rooms

Qubus Hotel, Nadwislanska Street 6, Krakow

14:00 – 14:20   Solemn opening of the proceedings of 21st School of Underground Exploitation

14:20 – 19:00 Plenary Session – Polish mining sets out abroad

19:00-20:00 Dinner

20:30-22:30 Promotional evening with music concert

Tuesday 21.02.2012 – QUBUS Hotel Conference Rooms

09:00 – 10:30   Proceedings of sessions:

 Techniques and technologies in underground exploitation Good practices in deposit development
10:30 – 11:00   Coffee break

11:00 – 13:00   Proceedings of sessions:  Techniques and technologies in underground exploitation Good practices in waste rock management
13:00 – 14:00   Lunch

14:00 – 16:30   Proceedings of sessions:  Computer technology in mining Techniques and technologies in underground exploitation
16:30 – 17:00   Coffee break

17:00 – 19:00   Proceedings of sessions:  Computer technology in mining Techniques and technologies in underground exploitation
19:00 – 20:00   Dinner

20:30-22:30 Promotional evening with music concertWednesday 22.02.2012 – QUBUS Hotel Conference Rooms

09:00 – 10:30   Proceedings of sessions:

 Good practices in transport and haulage of the winning Good practices in monitoring and visualization of underground exploitation processes
10:30 – 11:00   Coffee break

11:00 – 13:00   Proceedings of sessions:  Good practices in transport and haulage of the winning Good practices in monitoring and visualization of underground exploitation processes
13:00 – 14:00   Lunch break

14:00 – 16:30   Proceedings of sessions:  Geomatyka górnicza – praktyczne zastosowania Dobre praktyki w zakresie efektywnej gospodarki energią i zasobami technicznymi
16:30 – 17:00   Coffee break

17:00 – 19:00   Proceedings of sessions:  Mining geomatics – practical applications Good practices in effective energy and technical resources management
19:00 – 20:00   Dinner

20:30-22:30 School of Underground Exploitation Evening Promotional evening with music concert – invitation of BENTLEYThursday 23.02.2012 – J. Slowacki Theater in Krakow

09:30 – 11:30   Mining Knowledge Tournament

11:30 – 12:00   Coffee break

12:00 – 14:00   Proceedings of session under patronage of Higher Mining Council:

Mining with principles – jubilee session of 90 years of Higher Mining Council

14:00 – 15:00   Lunch break

15:00 – 17:00   Proceedings of session under patronage of BUCYRUS POLAND

17:00 – 17:30   Coffee break

17:30 – 18:00   Industry reports

Hard coal mining in Poland in 2011 – an assessment of activity

Henryk Paszcza, Industry Development Agency

18:00 – 18:30

Safety in Polish mining in 2011 –

a report of Higher Mining Council

18:30 – 20:30 Solemn Competition Gala of School of Underground Exploitation

 Publication of results of Competitions: Best Mine, Safe Mine, Mining Success of the Year and Mining Knowledge Tournament  Collective picture of participants of the conference 50 years of Jazz Band Ball Orchestra – concert
20:30 – 24:00   Solemn meeting in the foyer of J. Slowacki theater

Friday 24.02.2012 – QUBUS Hotel Conference Rooms 09:00 – 12:00   Discussion: International mining and the world of local problems of Poland, Ukraine, Canada and Germany

12:00   Closing of the proceedings of 21st School of Underground Exploitation