SHIJIAZHUANG, China – The international symposium on Major Engineering Geological Safety and Disaster Prevention and Mitigation concluded successfully on December 7, 2025, following three days of intensive scholarly exchange in Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province. The forum served as a pivotal platform for addressing critical challenges in geological risk management and sustainable mining practices.

Co-organized by the Committee on Mine Geo-disaster and Ecological Restoration (CMGdER) of the International Consortium on Geo-disaster Reduction and Hebei GEO University, with guidance from the Hebei Society for Rock Mechanics and Engineering, the event convened leading researchers, industry practitioners, and institutional representatives. Discussions centered on innovative approaches to risk assessment and mitigation aligned with national strategic priorities in infrastructure and resource development.

The opening ceremony featured addresses by Vice President Zhao Qiang of Hebei GEO University and Li Xiangquan, Director of the Geological Safety Committee of the Hebei Society for Rock Mechanics and Engineering. Presiding over the session was Professor Yuan Ying, Dean of the School of Urban Geology and Engineering at Hebei GEO University.

Keynote presentations delivered by CMGdER experts included:

Professor Sui Wanghua (China University of Mining and Technology, CMGdER Co-Chair) – "Active Prevention and Control of Water and Sand Inrush Induced by Deep Mine Excavation"

Professor Zhang Zizhao (Xinjiang University, CMGdER Co-Chair) – "Key Technologies for Risk Prevention and Control of Typical Geological Disasters in Xinjiang"

Associate Professor Qian Ziwei (China University of Mining and Technology, CMGdER Member) – "Grouting Treatment Technology for Typical Mine Water Hazards"

The presentations emphasized translational research—bridging theoretical advances, technological development, and field implementation—and fostered dynamic dialogue among participants.

Through this symposium, CMGdER reinforced its role as a catalyst for industry-academia-research collaboration and elevated its thought leadership in geological hazard mitigation. The committee remains dedicated to advancing global knowledge-sharing, supporting ecological restoration in mining regions, and contributing expertise to major national and international engineering initiatives.