The aim of this international conference is to provide a forum for the world's leading scientific and technical communities to interact and address the main issues and the key challenges related to all aspects of mining, minerals and metallurgical industry in the beginning of the 21st century. As a result industry's efficiency and sustainability can be improved, environmental and health impacts can be assessed in measurable terms the establishment of appropriate indicators, and therefore consumption of mineral resources can be rationally reduced. [...] (from the foreword of the editors)