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 MoreEriez 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 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…
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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.
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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 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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How do you use drones and robots to make underground mining less risky for workers? Virginia Tech researcher Richard Bishop and his West Virginia University collaborators are working to answer this question. A recent two-year, $569,149 Alpha Foundation grant will allow the team to study ways to use autonomous drones to predict and prevent roof collapses underground. It’s urgent work.…
Read MoreHow do you use drones and robots to make underground mining less risky for workers? Virginia Tech researcher Richard Bishop and his West Virginia University collaborators are working to answer this question. A recent two-year, $569,149 Alpha Foundation grant will allow the team to study ways to use autonomous drones to predict and prevent roof collapses underground. It’s urgent work.…
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Drones are becoming an increasingly common sight above mines around the world. North American Mining interviewed Jonathan Baucom of Vistra Corp., who has extensive experience planning and implementing mining drone operations. We also profile a number of drone solutions suppliers. by Jonathan Rowland Jonathan Baucom is a 15-year veteran of the U.S. mining industry. After studying mining and minerals engineering…
Read MoreRenewed attention to gold mining at both new and historical sites in Virginia prompted the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine at Virginia Tech to convene a study about the potential impacts of gold mining, chaired by William Hopkins, Virginia Tech professor in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation in the College of Natural Resources and Environment. Hopkins,…
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