Vice President T.N. Wong attends the 12th International Congress of ISM

Fuxin City, China, P.R., 21–26 September 2004

The 12th International Congress of the International Society for Mine Surveying (ISM) was the first of its kind held in China, P.R.. The Congress was declared open by Prof. Shi Jifeng, President of the Liao Ning Technical University. He welcome address was followed by Prof. Yu Changxing, President of ISM reporting on the activities, achievements and lessons learned of ISM. He emphasized the importance and contribution of mine surveying towards the social and economic development of a country. He remarked that such an international congress would provide an excellent opportunity for professional surveyors to exchange ideas and shared experiences, to foster closer relationship, to develop better understanding and to promote cooperation among professional institutions and sister organizations.

Prof. Yao, Mayor of Fuxin City, who welcomed all delegates to Fuxin City, reminded the audiences about the importance and contribution of mine surveying towards sustainable environment and development. He pointed out that Fuxin City is undergoing an economic restructuring and transformation from coal mining and agate industry to trade, tourism, education and service industries in order to create more employment and to attract more investments. One of the many tourist attractions in Fuxin City is the famous delicate crafting/carving on the rocks of Haitang Mountain.

Vice President T.N. Wong’s greeting was focused on safety in mine surveying, mining operations and management. He emphasized that both the management and the operatives must carefully observe the conceptual and operational requirements of safety.

Total number of participants was 200 participants, 100 coming from China P.R. and the international delegates coming from Australia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Malaysia, Mongolia, Norway, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, Sweden, United Kingdom, Ukraine, Vietnam and Zimbabwe. In the programme there were 93 technical papers covering education, use of conventional, close range photogrammetry and GPS methods to carry out the monitoring of subsidence and environment caused by mining activities, open cast mining and underground mining.

The social program was rich in cultures and tradition including Chinese theatrical performance and a mixture of Chinese, Indian and Mongolian cultural dances, which were considered the highlight of the social and cultural programme of the congress.

The participants were able to visit the Xi River, Haizhou Open-pit and exploration and application of coal bed methane in Fuxin.

After three days in Fuxin City the participants were able to take a trip along the 290 kilometers highway to Shan Hai Pass, the Great Wall, The Old Dragon’s Head and Golden Beach and then to travel another 370 kilometers down to Beijing. In Beijing the delegates visited the Mausoleum of 13 Ming Emperors, Temple of Heaven and Tien An Men Square. They also visited the Southern Instruments Corporation which is one of the two firms manufacturing surveying instruments in China.

As normal the programme included board and other administrative meetings.

The Congress devoted a half-day session on “Youth Forum for the excellent thesis/papers” followed by the Rewarding Ceremony to Excellent Thesis.

At the Closing Ceremony, Prof. Yu, President of ISM gave an overview of the success of the Congress. The handing over ceremony was highlighted by the speech given by the newly elected President, Dr Kalman Baratosi, Hungary. The formal closing of the Congress was declared by the Director of Beijing Central Coal Mining Research Institute.

The ISM Congress was a good experience to learn from the mine surveyors especially on the subject, methods and instrumentation of monitoring of subsidence and deformation caused by mining activities.

Cultural programme of the opening ceremony included songs ...	... and dances.
	T.N. Wong making his welcome address.
Vice President Wong together with the Organising Committee of 12th ISM Congress.	Prof. Yu Changxing and Vice President T.N. Wong.
Prof. Yu Changxing and Vice President T.N. Wong.

T.N. Wong
22 October 2004.