Introducing Mining
The history of the Mining Industry in the UK is long; in fact mining was a key component and enabler of the Industrial Revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries. In recent decades the actual mining of coal from within the UK has reduced dramatically. You would hardly expect a background like this to form the basis of one of the most innovative uses of modern communications technology in the form of High Definition videoconferencing from Questmark and LifeSize.
Although there has been this decline in the UK Coal Mining Industry, the country still has a solid base of engineering skills and disciplines that are recognised and valued throughout the global Mining Community. A lot of this is promoted and supported by the work undertaken by the Midland Institute of Mining Engineers.
Aims and Objectives
The Institute was founded in 1857 and currently in accordance with the changes within the mining environment of the UK operates within the following declared aims and objectives:-
To promote the science and practice of engineering in mining and its associated disciplines by fostering understanding, experience, interest and research.
- To promote membership of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IoM3) with its accredited Engineering Council professional qualifications through active membership of MIME.
- To encourage and monitor the development of quality skills in engineers in mining through the provision of support and training for members, particularly younger members and to achieve and maintain professional qualification recognition.
- To provide a forum for discussions on problems and techniques of engineering in mining.
- To arrange for publication of papers and collect and disseminate information related to engineering in mining and its associated disciplines.
- To promote the continuous use of safe working practices within the mining and minerals engineering environment.
- To enhance the members appreciation and understanding of important new methods and technologies
Why would a community like this look at videoconferencing technology?
The following shows the background and approach that the Institute has taken with respect to videoconferencing. Following a successful year working with Questmark, the Institute was able to make a confident investment in LifeSize High Definition videoconferencing systems to support a range of key functions and outputs from the Institute.
Potential Uses
After a videoconferencing demonstration at Questmark, MIME began to test the various potential uses for such in the Institute. At the core of this was a series of lectures and presentations from recognised mining experts across the world. These uses confirmed that the technology could deliver what it promised, and helped to form an understanding of the new, sustainable working practices that would be needed within the Institute.
After several months of tests and active use of the equipment, the Institute gained enough experience to see that videoconferencing should become a key part and a core element within its strategy
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“The strategy group has been reformed with a view to looking at the way forward for meetings to enable a wider access to members. A trial earlier in the summer involving video conferencing, which proved to be successful, is seen as a potential for a way forward. The longer term may well include video conferencing with many other sections and interested parties.” |
This was extended in a speech given by Mr Kevin Sabin during his inaugural Presidential speech.
“The Strategy Committee, a working group within the MIME, have developed a framework to move our organisation forward over the next 5 years, of which there are only 4 remaining. They drew up 5 fundamental objectives, ratified by Council and underpinned by a number of key actions. We now need to prioritise these issues and implement specific actions in key areas in order to move forward. Standing still is not an option.
The first objective is to improve delivery of products and services, underpinning that are a number of actions that we need to pursue in order to meet the objective. Whilst video conferencing is a proven technology, it is a new form of electronic communication to this institute and one that I firmly believe we need to embrace and develop, both regionally and nationally.
This technology can bring together those with a vested interest in the activities of the institute, mining companies, suppliers, colleges, universities and other institutions, not only nationally but globally. We’re already arranging for Leeds University to join a tripartheid link up for our next paper in November. My intention is that we link to one additional site at each future meeting.
Distance is no object with this technology, but I must emphasise that we are still on a steep learning curve. We’ll undoubtedly make mistakes along the way, we’ve not quite mastered all the choreography yet, although we’re not exactly talking Pans People here, but we will get slicker and we would welcome any comments on how we might further improve this process.
A distinct advantage of this technology is that we will actually record all our technical papers and presentations. These can then be posted on our web site for wider and future access.”
Achievement and Feedback
The result of all of this is was the request for Questmark to commission two LifeSize Room systems which would be used to deliver many outputs for the Institute. Questmark also started work with MIME to extend the use of this technology in ways described by Kevin during his inaugural speech and developed with other members of the Institute throughout the trial period.
Finding the full potential
“Our needs when we started down this path were unclear. We had an idea of what we could do and how it could be done. We also knew that it required more than finding the appropriate technology; we needed a partner to help take us forward. We found this in Questmark. We spent a lot of time ensuring that the resources we selected, not just in the technology, but also in finding the right supplier for us, has resulted in an investment in videoconferencing from an informed and trusted position.”
Charles Rhodes – Honorary Secretary for MIME.
Finding the right system and fit.
“We selected LifeSize equipment in conjunction with Questmark as it clearly delivered the best possible audio and video reproduction, along with the ability to send high quality PowerPoint presentations. These units offer good value for money, and based on our experience we are now confident that these systems will underpin the strategy of the Institute for the foreseeable future”
Charles Rhoades – Honorary Secretary for MIME
A Great Project
“It has been a long, but interesting project with the Institute. The detailed examinations and extensive trials undertaken in conjunction with MIME meant that together we were certain that the correct investment was being made. The uses for the LifeSize systems that have come from these trials are massive. We will continue to support the Institute and all of the organisations which can interface with it using video to ensure they continue to meet their demanding expectations for videoconferencing”
Sam McMaster – Managing Director of Questmark.