Students Sam Gogolewski and Isabela Protacio are both in the process of completing their theses in mine ventilation and were able to attend the conference workshops and consult industry experts about their research.

Lecturer Guangyao Si attended with students and presented a paper for his research on "Performance analysis of surface goaf hole gas drainage systems and use of CO triggers for spontaneous combustion risk management in Australian coal mines".

The Australian Mine Ventilation Conference continues to be chaired by Senior Lecturer Duncan Chalmers from the UNSW school.

This conference is jointly organised by UNSW and AusIMM and supported by Mine Ventilation Society of Australia.

UNSW was also an Education Sponsor for the event.

The conference brought together technical experts from around the world, with record high number of 280 delegates from over 75 countries in attendance this year.

The conference attracted operators, planning personnel, equipment manufacturers and suppliers, government regulators, consultants and academia.

Representatives from a wide variety of companies involved in the mine ventilation area were eager to supply students completing their theses with invaluable tools and information for their research.

Mine ventilation equipment supplier, Howden, and other specialist consulting companies such as BBE Consulting, provided students with feedback on their work and contacts to improve their theses research.

The conference dinner held on the August 27 was an excellent opportunity for students to network with industry professionals and discuss their research.

Members of the MVSA were excited to announce the initiation of a mentorship program for young professionals in the mine ventilation space.

Graduates as well as experienced mine ventilation professionals are also invited to become part of the mentorship programme to further develop their careers.

Sydney will host the International Mine Ventilation Congress in 2022 and it is expected that over 400 delegates will attend.