The 12th World Mining Congress is being held in New Delhi from November 19 to 23, 1984. The Institution of Engineers (India) as the National Committee of the World Mining Congress are the hosts to the Congress, being held in India for the first time. Started by Prof. Boleslaw Krupinski of Poland in August, 1957 as an International Committee, the first Congress was held in Warsaw during September, 1958. In the early stage, it was an formal organisation and the membership of the aerly International organising Committee reflected Prof. Krupinski's personal and professional friendships around the world.

He saw, very early, the mining community as an international community. As the organisation developed, a more formal structure was created and, in Austria in 1975, a set status was adopted and the name was changed to the present title; World Mining Congress. The aims of the Congress are: To promote and support scientific and technical co-operation for national and international progress in the field of mining of solid minerals and the development of natural mineral sources.

To obtain a worldwide exchange of information with respect to the develpment of mining science, technology, economics, health and safety aspects of mining operation and environmental protection. The international Organising Committee of the World Mining Congress, on wich as many as 36 countries are now represented, is a permanent organisation with its secretariet at Warshaw and has been responsible for organising international meets. Threee permanent international bodies are affilliated with the World Mining Congress, although each maintain its indpendent secretariat: (1) the International Bureau of Starata Mechanics, (2) the International Bureau for Mine Thermo Physics and, (3) the International Society for Mine Surveying.

The World Mining Congress itself has consultative Status wit the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. In its status, the Congress cvers all solid minerals i.e. metals, non-metallics and solid energy minerals. Of the 11 Congress held todate, only one (Peru) has been outside Europe; of the 54 IOC meetings, seven have been held outside Europe viz. China, Peru (2), India, USA, USSR and Turkey. (Text based on the material published by the 12th World Mining Congress, New Delhi).

The Indian Posts & Telegraphs Department is privileged to issue a commemorative postage stamp to mark the Congress being held for the first time in Asian Country.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India