Conference on Ventilation, Degassing, Air Conditioning and Safety in Mining Industry held under OKD auspices

OSTRAVICE – The fundamental upgrading of driving and mining technologies over the last three years has also been associated with revolutionary innovations for OKD in the ventilation area. Therefore, experts in the given field from all mines came to the international Conference in Ostravice to share their experience and gain new experience not only from our district, but also from specialized companies and academic experts.

“The technology replacement, made over the last years, has also brought great changes and also problems. For example, when the installed capacity of the equipment in the coalface is increased from 2 MW to 4.5 MW, it also increases the requirements for ventilation and air conditioning. We have gradually coped with the problems, but we still need to address a lot of tasks,” said Jan Matula, Chief Engineering Officer, OKD. OKD was a partner of the Conference titled “Ventilation, Degassing, Air Conditioning and Safety in Mining Industry”.

Experts from a few countries have met at the Sepetná Hotel for the third time already to discuss this topic. The Conference was organized by VVUÚ (Scientific-Research Coal Institute) and Montanex, and was held under the auspices of the top representatives of the Czech Mining Authority Prague, OKD, Mining University and Green Gas DPB. “I expect it to result in improved ventilation and degassing levels. It is good that the professionals may also discuss the issues informally,” stated Antonín Kunz, General Manager of the last mentioned company.

The lecturers and attendees also included the Heads of Ventilation, Degassing, Air Conditioning Sections and their subordinate employees, safety technicians and mine rescuers, designers … “Most of you are older than forty years. I am really sorry for not being able to offer you as many continuators as required,” stated Vladimír Slivka, Dean of the Faculty of Mining and Geology, Mining University.

(Radek Lukša)