If you follow my editor columns regularly, you know that there are two topics that I consider closest to my core as an editor: miner safety and mine rescue, and also research on ways to make the future of mining safer for all. My pride was, of course, on display for both at the recent West Virginia Coal Show –…
Read MoreTag: Virginia Tech
Aclara, Argonne National Lab partnering on AI digital twin
Canadian miner Aclara Resources’ U.S.-based subsidiary, Aclara Technologies, has entered a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory to develop an artificial intelligence-enabled digital twin for Aclara’s heavy rare earth separation process. Under the terms of the agreement, the two will leverage Argonne’s SolventX modeling platform alongside Argonne’s advanced computing, process modeling,…
Read MoreVirginia Tech professor explains why rare earths are so vital
While rare earth elements are “essential ingredients for our modern lives,” up to 82% of rare earth elements are imported from other countries, notes Aaron Noble, Virginia Tech professor and head of the Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering and interim head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. Why are these rare earth elements so critical to modern…
Read MoreVirginia Tech, Aclara form heavy REE alliance
A strategic partnership between Virginia Tech and Alcara Technologies, the U.S.-based subsidiary of Aclara Resources, aims to strengthen a sustainable domestic supply chain for critical heavy rare earth elements. Aclara’s rare earths separation pilot plant is expected to open this fall at the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Va., where it will benefit from the research park’s amenities…
Read MoreBreathing easier
A Virginia Tech mining engineering professor and research team are letting air into the idea of breathing easier for dust-exposed workers. Emily Sarver, the Stonie Barker Professor of Mining and Minerals Engineering, has dedicated more than a decade to investigating respirable dust in the mine atmosphere using state-of-the-art electron microscopy tools. Now, she and her team are transferring their expertise…
Read MoreSME bestows 2024 Robert E. Murray Innovation Award to Eriez
Eriez President and CEO Jaisen Kohmuench has announced the selection of Eriez to receive the 2024 Robert E. Murray Innovation Award from the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME). The award recognizes individuals and organizations that propel the mining industry forward through groundbreaking technological innovations. Eriez will be formally honored during the SME Annual Conference and Expo, taking place…
Read MoreVirginia Tech heads Appalachia coalition on critical minerals
Virginia Tech said it is spearheading a research coalition to reveal the untapped potential of the greater Appalachian Mountains region. The initiative is part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Carbon Ore, Rare Earth, and Critical Minerals (CORE-CM) program, which seeks to establish regional coalitions focused on accelerating the development of critical mineral supply chains from unconventional resources. The Expand…
Read MoreVirginia Tech researching underground carbon storage
Virginia Tech is serving as the technical lead of the U.S. Department of Energy-funded project that aims to store more than 1.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide per year and reduce the risk and costs of future projects.
Read MoreSeeking future mining engineers
Virginia Tech explains how higher education can expand the mining talent pool to meet critical mineral demand. Edited by Josephine Patterson The mining industry is booming to meet the demand for critical minerals necessary for the green tech revolution; however, it is left digging deep to find highly trained mining engineers to keep up. “If we’re going to achieve all…
Read MoreUnited Coal bolsters mine rescue training at Virginia Tech
United Coal Company (UCC) has donated Biomarine mine rescue equipment to Virginia Tech’s Mine Engineering Department to help facilitate students’ development into proficient mining engineers. “The impact of this donation on the Virginia Tech Mine Engineering Department is expected to be profound, enhancing their ability to train and prepare for mine rescue operations,” said UCC officials. “The equipment enables more…
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