Background The TH Georg Agricola University (THGA) in Bochum will host the Society of Mining Professors (SOMP) 9th Regional Conference with the topic: Technological Footprints of German Hard Coal Mining under the auspices of RAG Aktiengesellschaft. The last German hard coal mine will be closed end of 2018 – the age of German hard coal mining comes to an end after centuries. In the Ruhr area coal mining and steel production were the backbone of industrial prosperity and regional development. Today, the Ruhr Metropolis is a melting pot for more than 5 million people and 155 000 companies with a total turnover of 330 bill. Euro. Starting in the Ruhr valley, underground hard coal mining went further North, following the dipping carboniferous formations down to a depth of some 1500 m nowadays, thus making it the deepest underground coal mines in the World. Increasing depth together with the objectives to improve efficiency, health and safety standards have made the German hard coal mining industry a pioneer of technological breakthrough developments. The conference will highlight these ”technological footprints“ in terms of ground control at great depth, extraction technology, mine ventilation and mine climate, logistical functions, etc. The conference will be completed by networking events, scientific discussions and a technical visit of the Prosper Haniel underground hard coal mine.