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Pittsburgh Section Hosts Slurry Impoundment Seminar

By Mike Fabio, Program Chair, SME Pittsburgh Section

On Friday, April 17, 2009, the SME Pittsburgh Section hosted a professional career enhancement seminar at the Hilton Garden Inn in Southpointe, PA entitled "The Finer Points of Slurry Impoundment Design." Attendees were able to receive professional development hours.  The expert speaker was Dr. Erkan Esmer from Esmer and Associates, Inc. Consulting Engineers. 

This seminar, which attracted 16 industry professionals, was actually the second part of a two-part teaching series.  Last April (2008), Dr. Esmer taught a seminar on the basics of coal refuse impoundments.  This year his course offered some specifics and finer details about impoundment design and planning including a review of the structural components that make up the impoundment, permit acquisition guidance, recommendations for scheduling and planning for regulatory reviews, and suggestions for choosing the location of the impoundment.  Dr. Esmer concluded by sharing with the attendees the importance of creating a flexible design so that expansion can be incorporated in an economical manner.   

The SME Pittsburgh Section would like to thank Dr. Erkan Esmer for sharing his expertise and experiences with the local mining audience.  Seminar attendees were able to receive valuable teaching and professional development hours.  For more information regarding the SME Pittsburgh Section activities, upcoming events, and membership information, please visit www.smepittsburgh.org .

 Dr. Erkan Esmer shares his skills and expertise about slurry impoundment design.