The mining industry in the domestic and international academic and economic environment
As the mining industry is constantly changing by interacting with technological developments, the scientific field of Mining Informatics and Machine Learning Applications is the spearhead in the design and operation of new sectors in mining activity. Globally, research laboratories produce new knowledge, which is a key prerequisite in the development of designing new smart management systems for new and existing fields in the mining industry.
In this context, the Department of Mineral Resources Engineering planned the establishment of the Laboratory of Mining Informatics and Machine Learning Applications, in order to become a channel for the dissemination of scientific knowledge, synergy with related scientific fields, but also the production of special skills for the benefit, on the one hand, of young engineers-graduates who will staff the mining sector in the national and international environment and, on the other hand, of the local and wider society.
Purpose, mission, and objectives of the Laboratory of Mining Informatics and Machine Learning Applications
The basic necessity and objective of the establishment of the Laboratory is to meet research, teaching and academic needs in the field of Mining and Geotechnical Engineering and specifically in issues related to computer applications in Mining, i.e. Spatial Data Analysis, Geostatistics, Geological Modeling, Resource/Reserve Estimation, Mining Planning, Planning and Management Mining and Quarrying Projects, as well as in Machine Learning applications in mining problems.
The mission of the Laboratory is twofold: first, the development of new knowledge in areas that are not included in the research focus of other similar research laboratories and second, the synergy and further research partnership with similar university laboratories of educational institutions at national and international level.
The objectives of the Laboratory are described as follows:
- Coverage of educational and research needs in undergraduate and postgraduate studies of the Department of Mineral Resources Engineering, other Departments and Faculties of the University of Western Macedonia as well as the local community at regional level, on issues that fall within the disciplines of the Laboratory, as defined in the previous paragraph.
- Development of new teaching programs, which will be based on the conduct of basic and applied research of the subjects.
- Creation of applied science and technology orientation curricula, as well as updating of the outline of teaching subjects of the existing curriculum, which fall within the disciplines of the Laboratory.
- Cooperation with research bodies, academic institutions, organizations and bodies in Greece and abroad, provided that the scientific objectives coincide and complement those of the Laboratory.
- Organization of seminars, lectures, symposia, webinars and all kinds of scientific events, invitation of researchers and faculty members recognized domestically and internationally.
- Participation in national and international conferences, by publishing papers and other publications.
- Exploring partnerships with university laboratories and research institutions in the framework of funded research, national and European programs.
- Production of educational material in electronic and printed form.
- Provision of know-how (advisory work related to scientific issues related to the cognitive subjects of the Laboratory, opinions, studies) and services to private or public sector bodies, per. (a) of paragraph 1 of article 14 of Law 4270/2014 (A’ 143), following the conclusion of a service contract, in accordance with the Regulations of the Department and the University.
- Partnership in the framework of the organization of education and training programs through the Centre of Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning (KEDIVIM) of the University of Western Macedonia.
