With great success, a high call and the final presentation of the projects developed by the eight interuniversity working groups ended the Second Delphos Summer School on mine planning, an activity aimed at undergraduate students of last years of careers related to mining and organized by the Delphos Mine Planning Laboratory, dependent of the Advanced Center of Technology for Mining, AMTC and the Department of Mining Engineering of the University of Chile.
Students from 33 universities from Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Spain participated. In the conference, the students reviewed topics such as planning in open pit and underground mines; estimation of geological resources and reserves; planning models and algorithms; training in the software produced by Delphos laboratory, and planning under uncertainty.
In the final presentations, the students presented the knowledge learned before a commission formed by professors Enrique Jélvez (coordinator of the Summer School) and Nelson Morales (Director of the Delphos Laboratory and Deputy Director of the AMTC), and the mining engineers Valentina Rojas, Maximiliano Alarcón and Fabián Manríquez.
Prof. Enrique Jélvez expressed his satisfaction with the 2019 version of the School, noting that "we are happy to have shared for two weeks in this interuniversity meeting that we organized as Delphos Laboratory around mine planning. The representation of 17 national and foreign universities has allowed a favorable environment to discuss relevant and varied topics, starting from traditional design and planning techniques in open pit and underground mining to advanced planning topics under uncertainty. The contribution of the students is very valuable in this discussion, and I do not doubt that they value positively the learning of the contents granted, the companionship for the dynamics of work in interuniversity groups, the visit of professionals of the industry and academics of other groups of investigation, both inside and outside our University".
For his part, Prof. Nelson Morales stressed that "the School's main objective is to transfer our vision of planning and enrich it with the experiences of different universities and countries. This was the first official activity of the Latin American research network that we launched in November, and the international call that the School had is proof of the potential that this initiative has".
Testimonies
Manuel Reyes, Talca University academic (guest professor): "I had the opportunity to participate in the Summer School of Planning, exposing Big Data applied to Mine Planning. It was very interesting to know the concerns and opinions of future planners regarding the future of Big Data and artificial intelligence and its impact on mining. I was surprised by the large number of countries and universities represented, with a high level of opinions and expectations."
Cristian Salas, Senior Engineer NCL (guest professor): "For NCL and myself, it was a gratifying experience, to be in contact with the new generations of Mining Engineers both in Chile and abroad, to show a little what is the world of consulting and the different types of projects that are carried out. Noticing the degree of interest and motivation of the summer school attendees is an incentive for those of us who have been in the mining world for some years, seeing that these new generations are loaded with new ideas and desire to learn. Thanks to Delphos for the invitation to participate in this great event and have the opportunity to share our experiences."
Ada Contreras, Student Civil Engineer in Mining, DIMIN – University of Chile: "The Delphos Summer School was a great experience, an instance of learning and reinforcement to my training as a Mining Engineer. The work was intense during the two weeks but rewarding because working with young people from different universities enriches technical aspects and management skills, tolerance, leadership, and teamwork. In the same vein, I met very valuable people, and we even formed a group of friends, which filled me with joy because the strength of female scientists was present. I would also like to highlight the great teaching team of the Delphos laboratory and guest professors who taught the chairs with great affection and willingness focused on the understanding of planning matters that are not simple. Finally, I want to thank the DIMIN who gave me the scholarship to participate in this 2019 version and proudly represent the University of Chile.
Matías Caro, student Civil Engineer in Mining, PUCV: "I believe that the course was a great experience to know new tools and the background of these through mathematical and statistical knowledge. It encourages people to investigate new ways of carrying out projects in parallel with those already known to the industry; at the end of the course, I am left with the idea that not only knowledge in mining but of different areas are required to complement them. Furthermore, the course is an excellent way to create new contacts with colleagues from different universities and countries, where we can compare ideas and exchange knowledge, which together with the activities carried out in classes, are a great tool for learning".
