Sustainable resourcing

Hokkaido University, located in Sapporo, is one of four major universities in Japan offering mining engineering studies. In 2017, Japan’s first joint education program in resource engineering was led by Hokkaido and Kyushu Universities. 

Students studying resource-related fields at Hokkaido University are enrolled in the Resource Recycling System Course within the Department of Environmental and Social Engineering, Faculty of Engineering. Each year, the course has approximately 35 students.

Starting this year, Maptek Vulcan will be introduced in undergraduate laboratory exercises. Since many students are unfamiliar with mining software, the aim is to provide hands-on experience and help them understand the capabilities of this globally used software.

Students who develop an interest in it may consider joining the Resource Management Laboratory, creating an opportunity to use the software in their future research.

The laboratory has adopted Vulcan for building mine and surrounding-area models. Research is being conducted on integrating surface and subsurface environments, enabling teams to easily build and analyse multiple scenarios from a single digital model.

In early 2025, a project in Kazakhstan was launched as part of SATREPS (Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development), an international joint research program promoted by the Japanese government. Vulcan will also be used in this project to help develop a mining system that prevents environmental pollution during resource extraction.

For students, this partnership is expected to provide access to online training, allowing them to become more proficient with Vulcan and apply it in their own research. Currently, it is estimated that only 20 to 30 people in Japan are capable of using Vulcan. 

For industry, increasing the number of skilled Vulcan users will contribute to greater efficiency and advancement in mining operations.

Partnering with Maptek has been instrumental in advancing knowledge around the applications of 3D modelling.

In late 2024, Maptek Senior Geologist Peter Odins visited the University to deliver lectures and practical sessions on coal deposit modelling to local and international students. 

‘Following the gingko-lined avenue to the University centre, I knew this was no typical stratigraphic modelling course,’ Odins said. 

‘In addition to creating structural models, the focus was very much on model visualisation and integration with other platforms. The ability of Vulcan and GeologyCore to work with a wide range of data inputs and represent them in true 3D space was key to the success of the training,’ added Odins.

Although many students were learning the basics of Vulcan for the first time, all deepened their understanding of modelling.

‘All of the students picked up the software quickly, and kindly shared the best locations to sample the fabulous regional dishes Hokkaido has to offer,’ Odins concluded.

These initiatives are helping to develop a framework that will support a sustainable pipeline of resource engineering professionals with advanced expertise and international competency.