Shaft sinking for underground transportation purposes is a very complex technological process in mining and geotechnology which requires specific and specially designed technological equipment. This technological process is dealt with for a long time, since mining is one of the oldest industries in the world.
This book presents the technical papers that were presented at the International Mining Forum 2015. The International Mining Forum (IMF) is a meeting place of scientists and professionals who are engaged in confronting ideas and experience, evaluating solutions implemented, and discussing new ideas that might change the image of the mining industry. The IMF is an international activity of the School of Underground Mining, the major branch event organized both by the Mineral & Energy Economy Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences and AGH-University of Science & Technology of Cracow, which gathering approximately 500 people from Poland and other countries every year.

This year's edition of the International Mining Forum was related to specialistic underground construction. Experts presented papers related to the implementation and operation of the vertical and decline shafts. Experience from China, Germany, Serbia, Slovenia and Poland were shared at the meeting.

The topics of papers submitted include:

• Application of TBM for driving declines shafts
• State-of-the-Art in Blind Shaft Drilling
• Ground freezing
• Technology of shaft sinking in low-strength rocks and high natural hazards probabilities
• Static calculations of the shaft linings
• Determinants of forecasting deformation in a shaft

Jerzy KickiACADEMIC EXPERIENCE: Lectures and classes for the Mining and Geoengineering Faculties on the following courses; 150 graduated MSc. Students.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: An Economic and Mining Engineer with more than 30 years of experience including: project evaluation, due diligence activity, pre and feasibility studies. Dr. Kicki made more than 200 industrial reports and large projects which were prepared and managed for Polish mining industry. From this list more than 100 are related to coal mining. He has managed diverse teams working on mineral property development and feasibility study, mine and plant operations.
ORGANIZATION EXPERIENCE: Deputy Dean of Mining Faculty at the University of Mining and Metallurgy (AGH), Chair of the Organizing Committee of School of Underground Mining (organized since 1992), Chairman of the World Mining Congress 2008, since 1996 head of Mineral Engineering Department in Polish Academy of Sciences- Institute of Mineral Economy and Energy.

Eugeniusz Jacek SobczykACADEMIC EXPERIENCE: University of Lodz (1978-1982); master of science degree of geomorphology. Academy of Mining and Metallurgy in Cracow (1982-1986); engineer of geology and mining. Jagiellonian University in Cracow (1989-1990). Doctor's degree of mining geology (2000). Qualifying as assistant professor of mining geology (2010).
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Scientist in Mineral and Energy Economy Research Centre of Polish Academy of Sciences in Cracow since 1986. Working on management of coal reserves and on restructuring of the coal industry in Poland; evaluation of deposits and mining project. Member of the Polish Association of Mineral Asset Valuators. The valuator of mineral deposits (Co-author of the valuation of hard-coal deposits). He holds the title of European Geologist.

Pawel KamińskiResearch and teaching assistant at AGH University of Science and Technology in Cracow. Participant of many studies and projects, primarily related to underground mining, ventilation and underground construction.