The Tamil Nadu chapter of Mining Engineers Association of India (MEAI), NlC and the Department of Mining Engineering, Anna University jointly organised a mining exhibition and a national seminar at the Neyveli Book Fair in commemoration of the silver jubilee of MEAI, Tamil Nadu Chapter.
The Mining Engineers’ Association of India, a premier mining professional body formed during 1957 has 4500 members through 25 chapters to disseminate information on latest technological advancement in mining and allied areas among through National and International seminars, symposiums, workshops, technical paper and meetings.
Tamil Nadu chapter established in 1988 is one of the dynamic chapters of MEAI. As a part of its silver jubilee celebration the Tamil Nadu chapter is organising this expo and symposium — MINEFEST India 2014, which includes national symposium on socio mechanics of mining — present and future, from July 17 to 19 at NlC premises, Neyveli.
About 30 companies manufacturing equipment in mining, explosives, safety, environment, lighting, firefighting and mineral beneficiation are displaying their product range and services here.
Mining is core industry next only to agriculture. Without mining, there is no civilisation and no economic growth in the country. Mining industry meets the energy needs of the society and industry, apart from other metallic and non-metallic mineral requirements. Right from a hair pin to a rocket. Minerals have shaped our civilisation from stone-age to the modern information stage. Not many in the information age recognise the crucial role mining industry is playing in providing the society with sophisticated materials. It is hard to conceive a world without mining, a world without buildings, cars, trains, televisions, computers, mobile phones etc. Also, it would not have been possible for the world to feed its teeming millions without equipment, fertilisers, fuel, minerals and chemicals, which are all produced from mining.
The expo and symposium was declared open on July 17 by PK Sarkar, deputy director general of Mine Safety, southern zone, Bangalore, in the presence of B Surender Mohan, CMD-NlC, AK Meghraj, director, Mines Safety, Chennai region, MS Ravindranath, director (Mines), NlC and representatives from NlC, cement industries, granite industries and also from major and minor mineral industries. In the symposium about 59 papers covering geology and exploration, mine planning and sustainable development, miners’ health, safety and training, rock breaking, innovative technology will be discussed. The challenges in mining and mineral industry, mine operations, mineral beneficiation and environmental issues will also be explored.
Speakers from different parts of the country are participating in the symposium which will evoke useful deliberations and bring out recommendations for taking the mining industry forward on a path of growth.