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The opening was attended by Professor Oleg Polukhin, Rector of BNRU, Professor Ignat Ignatenko, Dean of the Institute of Earth Sciences, and special guests from Viogem, who sponsored the project, Sergei Seriy, General Director, and Andrei Gerasimov, Acting Head of the Viogem Geoinformation Systems Laboratory.

The 140^th anniversary of the University marked the start of annual program of creating labs and classrooms in partnership with businesses and external organisations. The new laboratory will become the training centre for the GEOMIX mining and metallurgical software system, which is widely used in the mining industry.

Professor Polukhin thanked everyone who participated in the creation of the lab, noting that labs like this are essential for a university teaching practical skills, adding,
“We have been training mining specialists for several years now. Today's mining engineer needs to have the complex skills that are necessary in this industry. Our main task is, of course, to provide quality training for specialists, and give them the skills that are necessary in the industry. This includes mastery of modern IT systems.”

The Rector continued, explaining how the Institute of Earth Sciences will continue to grow, the Geological and Mineralogical Museum, the first stage of which is already open, will be complete in short order. Next year, a mine simulator will be opened, where students can expand their knowledge of the mining process. This will be in addition to existing simulators, which deal with other component processes in mining.

Mr Gerasimov, who took part in the development of the GEOMIX system, introduced the students to the functional capabilities of this system, explaining that it solves several technical problems, allowing the engineer to concentrate on making important decisions.

Professor Ignatenko underlined the importance of this development, thanked all concerned for such a wonderful birthday gift, and hoped the students would enjoy mastering this modern system.