The First International Symposium on Mine Safety Science and Engineering (ISMSSE2011) will be held in Beijing on October 26-29, 2011. The symposium is authorized by the State Administration of Work Safety and is sponsored by China Academy of Safety Science & Technology (CASST), China University of Mining Technology (Beijing) (CUMTB), McGill University (Canada) and University of Wollongong(Australia) with participation from several other universities from round the world, research institutes, professional associations and large enterprises. An exhibition of the latest technologies in mine safety will be held during the symposium.