UNEXMIN & ¡VAMOS! to organize a joint conference in January 2018

UNEXMIN, together with another Horizon2020 project – ¡VAMOS! (http://vamos-project.eu/) – will be organizing a joint conference in January 2018. The focus will be on the use of robotics and automation for mineral exploration and extraction. The collaboration between the two EU-funded projects, that are developing innovative technologies, with participants outside both consortia, will certainly give a push in the development of the current technologies, with a fresh look onto the work being developed and future steps. The conference aims to bring together the interested parties, including experts and stakeholders, to establish discussions around the latest advances in the field and develop synergies on innovation in mineral exploration and extraction.

The one-day conference is scheduled to start with an introductory plenary, followed by parallel sessions focused on presentations and further discussions about the projects. In the afternoon, workshops related to technology roadmapping and exploitation are envisaged, being part of UNEXMIN and ¡VAMOS! activities. The conference also intends to serve as a mean to build and strengthen collaboration, network with professionals from the robotics, geology and mining sectors and to share experiences.

All interested people from the fields of geology, mining, robotics, machinery, minerals industry representatives, mining and construction machinery manufacturers, robotics developers and manufacturers and policy and decision makers in the field of mineral exploration and extraction are invited to attend. This conference will be organized by the Geological Survey of Slovenia, partner in both UNEXMIN and ¡VAMOS! projects, in Bled, Slovenia, on the 30th of January 2018. Besides the core conference, it is also possible – and advisable! – to join a one day pre-conference field trip to the Idrija mercury mine – one of the test sites where the UX-1 robot will be tested.

Idrija Mercury Mine (Credit: Arne Hodalič)

Francis’ Shaft (Credit: Matej Peternelj)

For more information, please check the conference flyer. Some relevant data for the registration and important dates are mentioned below.

Registration
Please register via email (manja.zebre[at]geo-zs.si) by 8 January 2018.
Required registration data:
Name and surname,
– Institution,
– Title of the presentation (optional),
– Up to 600-word (one page) abstract with one image (optional),
– Attendance to networking dinner,
– Possible special dietary requirements,
– Attendance to pre-conference field trip to Idrija.
Registration is free-of-charge. Individual invitations letters can be prepared if needed.

Important Dates
Second circular: 30 October 2017
Registration deadline: 8 January 2018
Final conference program: 20 January 2018
Field trip to Idrija: 29 January 2018
Conference: 30 January 2018