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The second batch students of “Smart Mining Special Program” completed the program in September, 2024.
Q1. What are your impressions of the Smart Mining Special Program?
Q2. Which was the most attractive course?
Q3. How would you use the knowledge you have acquired through this program?

A1：I decided to join this program because it allows me to deepen my knowledge of resource engineering, which I have studied since my undergraduate days. It also provides the opportunity to gain practical skills in the increasingly important field of information engineering. Through this program, I had the opportunity to visit large-scale mine development sites in South Africa, visit research institutes, and work on image analysis, which I believe has led to an improvement in my skills and understanding. Additionally, through interactions with students from Akita University and various universities in Africa, I was able to learn about the current state and challenges of the resource field from multiple perspectives in different environments. After two fulfilling years in this program, I truly feel that it was a great decision to participate. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved in the establishment and implementation of this program.
 
 
A2：The most captivating lecture was the "Collaborative Training of DigiMine" conducted in South Africa. We visited an operational mine, rode underground elevators and trolleys, and ventured to the forefront of a vein located 3,000 meters underground. Witnessing the hot, narrow, and dark mining site firsthand, I realized how harsh the mining environment is. Additionally, with the increasing demand for non-ferrous metals, the declining grade of mines and the deepening of veins have increased the difficulty and danger of production, highlighting the urgent need for improvements in underground environments. I recognized the importance of collaborative research that integrates IT and resource fields, such as the use of digital twins, and reaffirmed the significance of introducing information engineering to the field.
 
 
A3：I participated in the “Collaborative Research Project” at Akita University and acquired machine learning techniques using Python. Although I found machine learning to be quite challenging, using the accessible Google Colab made it more approachable. By creating a program with my team to automatically classify rock images, I realized its usefulness. This experience has enabled me to easily incorporate machine learning into my own research. Through this program, I learned about the current state of resource development sites and the necessity for technological innovation. Utilizing the IT skills, I aim to continue contributing to the development of the resource industry.