International Seminar, MPT-2005
Dhanbad, India, 6-8 January 2005

International Seminar MPT-2005 was inaugurated by His Excellency Governor of Jharkhand. During the seminar His Excellency outlined the importance of sustainable development. In the speech, The Governor urged the experts to discuss ways to ensure operation of coal washeries and Mineral Processing Plants with zero discharge, treating the fines to recover good quality values, etc. He outlined that efficient use of mineral and coal resources and long-term sustainability are the two important objectives behind the growth of mineral industries and their international competitiveness.

In the inaugural function Mr. G.C.Mrig, CMD, Aryan Coal Beneficiation Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi,Mr R.Gupta, CMD, Uranium Corporation of India Ltd, Jaduguda, Jharkhand, India, Dr S.K.Tamotia, Ex-CEO Indian Aluminium Company, Kolkata were felicitated. Dr G.V.Rao ,RRL, Bhubaneswar and Dr. J.P.Barnwal, RRL, Bhopal were awarded the Mineral Beneficiation and Coal Beneficiation Awards.

The Inaugural Function was followed by Plenary Lecture/Invited Lecture sessions wherein Prof. V.Seshadri, Brazil, Prof. G.Onal, Turkey, Prof. Y.P.Chugh, USA, Dr Ralph Holmes, Australia, Dr M.K.Mohanty, USA, Dr S.K.Tamotia, Prof S.P.Mehrotra, Prof Arobindo Ghosh, Mr. A.D.Baijal, Mr. R.S.Singh, India were the Key Speakers.

171 participants from India and 9 participants from Abroad were attended the seminar.

In 17 Technical Sessions (Mineral Characterization -2, Mineral Beneficiation- 4,Coal Beneficiation - 2, Coal Characterization -1, Environmental - 3, Bio Processing - 1, Modelling Simulation - 2, Extractive Metallurgy - 1, Miscellaneous - 1) about 100 technical papers were presented in 3 parallel sessions.

Draft Recommendation of the seminar was readout by Prof R.Venugopal, Chief Coordinator, MPT-2005.

The valedictory function was graced by Dr. Bhaskar Bhattacharjee, Director General of Mines Safety, Dhanbad. In his speech he said MPT-2005 catapulted Dhanbad into prominence. The recommendations have also covered the important aspects of the mineral and mining industries, which are facing several challenges these days.

R.Venugopal. Email: ismmpt2005@yahoo.co.in