Author Description

The International Mining Forum has been, for fifteen years, a permanent element of the School of Underground Mining, working under the auspices of AGH - University of Science and Technology, Department of Underground Mining and Polish Academy of Sciences, Mineral and Energy Economy Research Institute. This volume contains the technical papers of the International Mining Forum in Kraków, Poland, held on 24-28 February 2014 where articles were presented which show the future of underground mining. The articles cover the latest technology used in mining enterprises, and also solutions developed in the framework of the European project: I ² Mine - Innovative Technologies and Concepts for the Intelligent Deep Mine of the Future. The concept of I²Mine is to develop innovative methods, technologies, machines and equipment necessary for the efficient exploitation of minerals and disposal of waste, all of which will be carried out underground. This will dramatically reduce the volume of surface transportation of both minerals and waste, minimising installations above ground and reducing environmental impact.