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[March 2002]
IoM and IMM to Merge
On 13 March 2002, the Institute of Materials (IoM) and the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy (IMM) confirmed that they were to merge to form a new body - to be named the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. The new body will encompass the whole materials cycle, from exploration and extraction, through characterisation, processing, forming, finishing and application, to product recycling and land reuse.The merger plans have been strongly endorsed by the members of both organisations. Members of the IoM voted in favour of the merger by a majority of 93% and the IMM members by a majority of 86%. Announcing the result of the IoM vote, Dr Bruce Falmer - Chairman of the Interim Council and member of the merger negotiation team - said that it was very much in the interests of both organisations to merge, to build on the strengths of both and to form a more robust body to deal with the challenges of the future.
Professor Jane Plant, President of the IMM, added that the two organisations have a strong synergy and combining their resources would secure the long-term future for members of these professions. An enlarged, financially strong organisation would be able to move into new areas of opportunity and growth, she asserted.
The new institute will have a membership of 24,000, of which 6,000 reside outside the UK. The new body aims to be the leading voice for the materials, minerals and mining sectors which will interact with industry, academia, governments and the public. It is intended that the merger will develop an institute open to members from a wide range of backgrounds.
The two organisations are in the process of petitioning the Privy Council to allow changes to the Charter of the IoM, and to approve new Bye-laws.
ENDS