2022-04-11
In 2013, The Greenland School of Minerals & Petroleum established an education system for the school’s students using Sigicom’s instruments. KTI has a strong engagement in developing courses based on the needs of the expanding mining and construction industries of Greenland.
Sigicom has assisted KTI with updating and modernizing their existing educational material on vibration monitoring and air blast monitoring. Engineers at the school have been trained in using Sigicom’s equipment and have received material to educate others. Johan Finsteen Gjødvad, Strategic Partnership Manager, at Sigicom has been involved in the project since it started.
– It’s been an honor to help and teach these young engineers about Sigicom’s products. It’s impressive that KTI takes such responsibility and includes an environmental aspect in their work. Sigicom has a clear objective in assisting universities with research and education related to practical applications within environmental monitoring, such as mining and other construction work, says Johan.
Greenland is expanding in the mining and construction industries as well as the urban areas, creating a crucial need for meticulous environmental monitoring. Blasting work is coming closer to existing infrastructure in the cities, which is something that needs to be taken into consideration. Monitoring vibration and air blast is also a measure for protecting the unique and untouched natural life in Greenland.
Hans Hinrichsen has been the General Manager of Greenland School of Minerals & Petroleum since its inception and can reflect on the progress over the years.
The fact that blasting is within city limits is quite a new phenomenon in Greenland, and therefore vibration and air blast monitoring is crucial. Thanks to the joint effort of Sigicom and KTI we can offer this education to people in Greenland, and beyond. We are proud of the high quality of our courses, says Hans.
First stop for consultation
David Viejo, Mining Engineer, and Eslam Aljabali, Civil Engineer, live in Sisimiut and work at the school as instructors. They visited Sigicom’s HQ office in Stockholm in early 2022 to receive in-depth learning of Sigicom’s INFRA system and instruments for construction sites and blast monitoring. KTI is aiming to be the first call for consulting engineers and technical departments of municipalities in Greenland when it comes to environmental monitoring. After the summer, there are plans to offer this specialized course to the industry.
The Greenland School of Minerals & Petroleum has an official partner in the University of Alaska Fairbanks and is in collaboration with the University of Utah. Rajive Ganguli, Ph.D., from the University of Utah is set to visit the school in May of 2022, together with a group of students, to learn more about the KTI methods for blasting and measuring vibrations with full-scale hands-on training.
The US State Department has made a three-year investment in the Greenland School of Minerals and Petroleum. 17 American institutions are interested in collaboration with the program proving that this is an important field with a focus on a sustainable future and specialized development. The partnership with the University of Utah and Alaska Fairbanks is a huge benefit for KTI management and staff and will help take the school to the next level.
The Greenland School of Minerals & Petroleum
The school’s official name in Greenlandic is Kalaallit Nunaanni Teknikimik Ilinniarfik (KTI). The school was founded in 2008 and currently has around 200 students and course participants on a yearly basis.
The Greenland School of Minerals & Petroleum specializes in certified safety training for heavy machinery operators, 3D GPS, blasting, crushing & screening, drill rigs, and diamond core drilling.