Privacy Policy

    I. Controller Responsible for Data Processing

    The controller within the meaning of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other national data protection laws of the Member States, as well as other data protection provisions, is:

    Univ.-Prof. Dr. Bernd Lottermoser
    Institute of Mineral Resources Engineering
    Wüllnerstr. 2
    52062 Aachen
    Germany

    Phone: +49 241 80 979 76
    Email: kontakt@mre.rwth-aachen.de

    II. General Information on Data Processing

    1. Scope of the Processing of Personal Data

    The Institute of Mineral Resources Engineering of RWTH Aachen University processes personal data of users of this website only insofar as this is necessary to provide a functional website as well as its content and services. The processing of personal data is generally carried out only with the user’s consent.

    An exception applies in cases where prior consent cannot be obtained for factual reasons and the processing of the data is permitted by statutory provisions.

    2. Legal Basis for the Processing of Personal Data

    If the Institute of Mineral Resources Engineering of RWTH Aachen University obtains the consent of the data subject for processing operations involving personal data, Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR serves as the legal basis.

    If the processing of personal data is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party, Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR serves as the legal basis. This also applies to processing operations required to carry out pre-contractual measures.

    If the processing of personal data is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller, Art. 6(1)(e) GDPR serves as the legal basis.

    3. Data Deletion and Storage Duration

    Personal data of the data subject will be deleted or blocked as soon as the purpose of storage no longer applies. Storage may take place beyond this if provided for by European or national legislation in EU regulations, laws, or other provisions to which the controller is subject.

    Data will also be blocked or deleted if a statutory retention period expires, unless further storage is necessary for the conclusion or performance of a contract.

    III. Provision of the Website and Creation of Log Files

    1. Description and Scope of Data Processing

    Each time the website is accessed, the system of the Institute of Mineral Resources Engineering of RWTH Aachen University automatically collects data and information from the computer system of the accessing device.

    The following data may be collected:

    • Information about the browser type and version used
    • Information about the user’s operating system
    • The user’s internet service provider
    • The user’s IP address
    • Date and time of access
    • Websites from which the user’s system accesses the RWTH Aachen University website
    • Information about accessed web pages and files

    The data are stored in the system’s log files. These data are not stored together with other personal data of the user.

    2. Legal Basis for Data Processing

    The legal basis for the temporary storage of data and log files is Art. 6(1)(e) GDPR.

    3. Purpose of Data Processing

    Temporary storage of the IP address by the system is necessary to enable delivery of the website to the user’s device. For this purpose, the user’s IP address must remain stored for the duration of the session.

    The data are also used to optimize the website and to ensure the security of the information technology systems. There is no evaluation of the data for marketing purposes.

    4. Duration of Storage

    The data are deleted as soon as they are no longer necessary to achieve the purpose for which they were collected. This is generally the case after no more than seven days.

    Further storage is possible. In this case, the IP addresses of users are deleted or anonymized so that assignment to the accessing client is no longer possible.

    5. Right to Object and Removal

    The collection of data for the provision of the website and the storage of data in log files is essential for the operation of the website. Consequently, the user has no right to object.

    IV. Use of Cookies

    1. Description and Scope of Data Processing

    The website of the Institute of Mineral Resources Engineering of RWTH Aachen University uses cookies. Cookies are text files that are stored in the internet browser or by the internet browser on the user’s computer system.

    When a user accesses a website, a cookie may be stored on the user’s operating system. This cookie contains a characteristic string that enables unique identification of the browser when the website is accessed again.

    2. Legal Basis for Data Processing

    The legal basis for the processing of personal data using cookies is Art. 6(1)(e) GDPR. If consent is obtained in connection with the storage of cookies, the processing is based on Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR.

    3. Purpose of Data Processing

    The Institute of Mineral Resources Engineering of RWTH Aachen University uses cookies to identify the user session.

    4. Storage Duration, Objection and Removal Options

    Cookies are stored on the user’s device and transmitted by the user to the website. Users therefore have full control over the use of cookies.

    By changing the settings in their internet browser, users can deactivate or restrict the transmission of cookies. Cookies that have already been stored can be deleted at any time, including automatically.

    If cookies are disabled for the website of the Institute of Mineral Resources Engineering, some functions of the website may no longer be fully usable.

    V. Contact by Email

    1. Description and Scope of Data Processing

    Contact via the provided email address is possible. In this case, the personal data transmitted with the email will be stored.

    The data will not be passed on to third parties. The data are used exclusively for processing the communication.

    2. Legal Basis for Data Processing

    The legal basis for processing the data is Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR if the user has given consent.

    The legal basis for processing data transmitted in the course of sending an email is Art. 6(1)(e) GDPR.

    3. Purpose of Data Processing

    In the case of contact by email, the necessary legitimate interest in processing the data exists.

    4. Duration of Storage

    The data are deleted as soon as they are no longer required to achieve the purpose for which they were collected. For personal data sent by email, this is the case when the respective communication with the user has ended.

    5. Right to Object and Removal

    The user may revoke their consent to the processing of personal data at any time. If the user contacts the Institute of Mineral Resources Engineering of RWTH Aachen University by email, they may object to the storage of their personal data at any time.

    In such a case, the communication cannot be continued.

    The email address for revocation of consent and objection to storage is:
    kontakt@mre.rwth-aachen.de

    All personal data stored in the course of contact will be deleted in this case.

    VI. Use of Script Libraries (Google Web Fonts)

    To display our content correctly and attractively across browsers, we use script and font libraries such as Google Web Fonts (https://www.google.com/webfonts/).

    Google Web Fonts are transferred to your browser cache to avoid multiple loading. If your browser does not support Google Web Fonts or blocks access, content will be displayed in a standard font.

    Calling script or font libraries automatically triggers a connection to the operator of the library. It is theoretically possible—although currently unclear whether and for what purposes—that operators of such libraries may collect data.

    Google’s privacy policy can be found here:
    https://www.google.com/policies/privacy/

    VII. Use of Google Translate

    This website may use Google Translate to provide automatic translations of website content into other languages.

    Google Translate is a service provided by Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland. When Google Translate is activated, Google may process data such as IP addresses, browser information, and the content to be translated.

    The use of Google Translate is in the interest of making the website accessible to an international audience. Processing is carried out only after the user has given consent via the cookie banner.

    The legal basis for the use of Google Translate is Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR (consent).

    Further information on Google’s data protection practices can be found at:
    https://policies.google.com/privacy

    VIII. Consent and Compliance Cookie Banner

    This website uses a consent management / compliance cookie banner to obtain and document user consent for the use of cookies and third-party services (e.g. Google Translate, Google Web Fonts).

    When you first visit the website, a banner is displayed informing you about the use of cookies and giving you the option to:

    • Accept all cookies
    • Reject non-essential cookies
    • Customize your cookie preferences

    Only technically necessary cookies are used without consent. All other cookies and third-party services are activated only after explicit consent.

    The legal basis for data processing via the consent banner is Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR. Consent can be revoked or changed at any time via the cookie settings on the website.

    IX. Rights of the Data Subject

    If your personal data are processed, you are a data subject within the meaning of the GDPR and you have the following rights:

    1. Right of Access
    2. Right to Rectification
    3. Right to Restriction of Processing
    4. Right to Erasure
    5. Right to Notification
    6. Right to Data Portability
    7. Right to Object
    8. Right to Withdraw Consent
    9. Right to Lodge a Complaint with a Supervisory Authority

    January 2026