As part of the Forum, on 4 April, the MineTech Business and MineTech University innovative solutions and technologies competitions were held. New or innovative technological solutions were presented to a jury comprised of the heads of the innovation departments of local mining and international consulting companies.

The winners of the MineTech Business competition were:

Gold winner: Paulina Codoni, Founder, Firma Codogni.
Presented technology: A method for the producing grinding bodies using materials from recycled rails.

Silver winner: Alexander Vasilyevich Yamov, Deputy Scientific Director for Production Development, Diamant LLC
Presented technology: The Tagged Neutron Method for Mineral Quality Management.

Bronze winner: Mark Vickers, Mobile Equipment Designer, MMD – Mining Machinery Development
Presented technology: The newest technology for high efficiency of in-pit mining and conveying.

Five student teams from Nazarbayev University, Gorbachev Branch of Kuzbass State Technical University in Prokopyevsk, Semey Geological Prospecting College and Kazakh-British Technical University competed at the MineTech University competition.

At the first stage of the competition, the teams presented cases prepared as part of their term research and diplomas.

The prize winners of the first stage of the MineTech University competition:

Gold prize winner: Erkezhan Madenova, Nazarbayev University
Presentation: An integrated web-based tool for computer-aided design of open mine sites.

Silver prize winner: Zhasulan Ashimov, Kazakh-British Technical University
Presentation: Development of a scheme to produce mineral basalt wool.

Bronze prize winner: Vladimir Volynkin, Khristina Bisagaliyeva, Anastasia Dostovalova, Galina Bibikova, FSBEI HE Branch of T.F. Gorbachev Kuzbass State Technical University in Prokopyevsk
Presentation: Innovative solutions in the development of coal seams.

At the second stage of the competition, the teams were challenged with solving technical cases.

The case on mine closure offered by SRK Consulting was won by the team from the Gorbachev Branch of Kuzbass State Technical University in Prokopyevsk.

The case, built on the practical example of limestone exploration at the Sarykoba deposit, offered by Voskhod Oriel, was won by the team from the Semey Geological Prospecting College.