From November 23 to 24, the 2024 International Conference on Green and Intelligent Mining for Thick Coal Seam was held in Beijing. The conference was co-sponsored by China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), China Coal Society, China National Coal Industry Association, Heilongjiang University of Science and Technology, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (USA), Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (Turkey), and others. It was organized by the Engineering Research Center for Top-Coal Caving Mining in the Coal Industry, the Engineering Research Center for Green and Intelligent Mining for Thick Coal Seam under the Ministry of Education, the School of Energy and Mining Engineering at China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), and the Sino-Turkish Research Center for Thick Coal Seam Mining. The conference was supported by key projects of the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the "111 Project," and has been included in the TAC (Top Academic Conferences) list by the China Association for Science and Technology.
Liu Bo, President of China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), and academicians Su Yinao, Li Gensheng, Kang Hongpu, Gu Dazhao, Jin Zhixin, and Ge Shirong of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, as well as Liu Feng, President of the China Coal Society, Zhu Deren, former Vice President of the China National Coal Industry Association, Meng Shangjiu, President of Heilongjiang University of Science and Technology, Zhang Binchuan, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Big Data Center of the Ministry of Emergency Management, Wang Haijun, President of the China Coal Research Institute, Zhang Jixiong, Vice President of China University of Mining and Technology, Li Zhenhua, Vice President of Henan Polytechnic University, and ŞENOL HAKAN KUTOĞLU, Vice President of Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (Turkey), attended the opening ceremony. The conference was presided over by Cui Ximin, Vice President of China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing). Wang Jiachen, Professor and Chairman of the Organizing Committee from China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), delivered a keynote speech titled "30 Years of the Engineering Research Center for Top-Coal Caving Mining in the Coal Industry."
Liu Bo delivered a welcoming speech on behalf of the organizers, co-organizers, and supporters, extending warm welcome to experts and scholars from home and abroad. He pointed out that coal is the primary energy source supporting China's national economic development, an important guarantee for energy security, and a crucial raw material for industrial production. China is rich in thick coal seam reserves, which play a significant role in ensuring energy supply. On the occasion of the 30thanniversary of the Engineering Research Center for Top-Coal Caving Mining in the Coal Industry, it is essential to summarize the academic achievements and engineering experiences in thick coal seam mining and promote the green transformation and high-quality development of the coal industry. Liu Bo emphasized that the task of green and intelligent mining of thick coal seams is arduous. He looks forward to sharing research results, exploring development directions, strengthening scientific research cooperation, and deepening international cooperation with experts and scholars through this conference, to jointly promote the green transformation of the global coal industry. Finally, he wished the conference a great success and expressed sincere gratitude to all experts and scholars for their participation.
In his speech, Liu Feng noted that after nearly 40 years of continuous scientific research and practice, China has made significant breakthroughs in the basic theory, technical equipment, intelligent mining, and talent cultivation of fully mechanized mining of thick coal seams, leading the world in the development of safe, efficient, green, and intelligent mining technologies for thick coal seams and completing a major transformation from technology import to technology export.
Liu Feng pointed out that since its inaugural meeting in 2022, the International Conference on Green and Intelligent Mining for Thick Coal Seam has become an influential platform for government, industry, and academia in the coal industry to exchange experiences and deepen cooperation both domestically and internationally. It has been listed in the "Guide to Important Academic Conferences" by the China Association for Science and Technology for two consecutive times. He sincerely hopes that experts and scholars will fully communicate and conduct in-depth discussion using this platform, further promoting cooperation among domestic and foreign experts and scholars, showcasing the new international image of China's coal industry, and contributing wisdom and strength to the high-quality development of the global coal industry.
Meng Shangjiu, President of Heilongjiang University of Science and Technology, and Zhang Binchuan, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Big Data Center of the Ministry of Emergency Management, then delivered speeches, wishing the International Conference on Green and Intelligent Mining for Thick Coal Seam a great success and expressing sincere gratitude to all experts and scholars for their participation.
Professor Wang Jiachen, on the occasion of the 30thanniversary of the Engineering Research Center for Top-Coal Caving Mining in the Coal Industry, provided a detailed summary in his report of the significant progress made in China's top-coal caving mining technologies for thick coal seam with high gas content, "two-hard" conditions, extremely thick seams, steeply inclined seams, and highly inclined seams. He also proposed the technical pathway for the high-quality development of thick coal seam mining in the future.
Academician Kang Hongpu from the China Coal Technology & Engineering Group's Mining Research Institute, Academician Ge Shirong from China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Vice President ŞENOL HAKAN KUTOĞLU from Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (Turkey), Vice President Zhang Jixiong from China University of Mining and Technology, and Professor Rudrajit Mitra from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (USA) delivered keynote speeches on the development and outlook of efficient mining technology and equipment for thick coal seams, the current status of research and application of intelligent coal mining in China, mine safety mining technology based on InSAR, longwall mining with entry-by-entry cemented backfill for thick coal seam, and stability design of underground mines with strong mining-induced seismicity in the United States, respectively.
The conference lasted for one and a half days, featuring 6 keynote speeches, 24 invited speeches (including 6 international speeches), and 13 presentations in the young scholars' forum. During the opening ceremony, awards were presented for contributions to thick coal seam mining (1 recipient), innovation (2 recipients), and young scientists (2 recipients), to encourage higher education institution and enterprise personnel who have made significant contributions to technological innovation and international exchange in the field of thick coal seam mining. Li Wei, former General Manager of Huaibei Mining Co., Ltd., received the "Contribution Award for Thick Coal Seam Mining"; Professor İsmail Hakkı Özölçer from Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (Turke) and Professor Yang Shengli from our university received the "Innovation Award for Thick Coal Seam Mining"; Liu Kunlun from State Energy Group Xinjiang Energy Co., Ltd., and Associate Professor Zhang Jinwang from our university received the "Young Scientist Award for Thick Coal Seam Mining."
It is understood that over 300 representatives from more than 80 coal mining enterprises, higher education institutions, research and design institutions in China, the United States, Germany, Turkey, and other countries participated in this conference. Among them were seven academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and over 30 national high-level talents. It is reported that the 2025 International Conference on Green and Intelligent Mining for Thick Coal Seam will be held in Turkey.
