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Activities of the Society 2020-2021
by 4SMNI
Activities of the Society
2020-2021
by Alan Dolan, Honorary Secretary & Vice President, Irish Mining & Quarrying Society
The following are the main activities of the society in 2020/2021. Due to Government Covid restrictions, activities were curtailed but the society remained active.
Details of all IMQS activities can be found at www.imqs.ie. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, our members, for your patronage. The society cannot exist without your continued support.
COUNCIL MEETINGS
2020 - July 28th, September 8th, October 6th, November 3rd & December 8th. 2021 - January 12th, February 16th AGM, March 9th, April 13th & May 11th, September 14th & October 15th.
REPRESENTATIONS IN 2019/2020
• European Federation of Explosives
Engineers (EFEE) • Prospectors and Developers
Conference (PDAC) • Draft Policy Statement for
Mineral Exploration and Mining
In Ireland - Submission • Geoscience Ireland • Geo-Driller Apprenticeship • Quarry Skills Certification Scheme meetings (QSCS) • Quarry Safety Partnership (QSP) • Minerals Information Working
Group (MIWG) • Nore Vision Project • Department of Environment
Communications and Climate
Change (DECC) • IMQS Planning & Innovation Seminar
ANNUAL FIELD TRIP
The Annual Field Trip did not take place in 2020 due to Covid restrictions. IMQS PLANNING & INNOVATION SEMINAR
The IMQS hosted an online Planning & Innovation Seminar on October 29th 2020. The presenters were:
Nicola Nixon, President IMQS - Introduction and IMQS Updates Mike Lowther, LKAB - The Mine of the Future Sean Higgins, Sitech - Advances in Drone Technology Liam Smyth, Irish Concrete Federation - Recent Planning Issues Jim Holmes, ex-Health & Safety Authority - Quarry Health and Safety
ANNUAL REVIEW 2020
The Annual Review 2020 as well as reviews from previous years can be viewed at www.imqs.ie or scan the QR code.
ANNUAL DINNER DANCE 2020
The Annual Dinner Dance did not take place due to Covid restrictions.
The annual Institute of Quarrying (Northern Ireland) Stone Crushers Ball did not take place due to Covid restrictions. MINE RESCUE 2020
• Activities of the IMRC remain impacted by the pandemic, however
Mine Rescue response across the island remains in place. • Irish Salt Mining & Exploration,
Boliden Tara Mines and Dalradian
Gold have resumed regular training, complying with Covid-19 guidelines. • Boliden Tara Mines took part in flight training with the No 3 Operations
Wing of the Irish Air Corps in July 21. • A full summary can be found in the 2021 review.
GEO-DRILLER APPRENTICESHIPS
Geoscience Ireland, in collaboration with the Institute of Technology Carlow, is running a Geo Drilling Apprenticeship. The course continues in 2021 with 8 participants. Brendan Morris and Sean Finlay were involved in setting it up this course. Visit Carlow IT apprenticeship portal or scan the QR code for more information.
EVENTS IN 2021
Two of the Societies’ main events, The Annual Dinner and The Annual Field Trip, will not take place. The All-Island Safety Seminar will be held virtually, on 17th November 2021.
CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP
Being a corporate member of the IMQS can have many benefits for your organisation; free advertising on the IMQS web site, free job postings and regular information updates. Being a corporate member is an excellent investment for any company - large or small. Scan the QR code for membership details.
