Penn State's mining engineering program is known and respected around the world, especially for its expertise in all phases of coal mining.  To help continue this achievement, the SME Pittsburgh Section has been busy pursuing education, outreach, and professional development activities with the Pennsylvania State University (PSU) SME student chapter in State College, PA.   During the spring 2009 semester, SME professional members visited the Penn State main campus on three separate occasions to share their knowledge, skills, and experiences with the mining engineering students. 

On March 26, SME-members Ed Zeglen (Pittsburgh section BOD and chief mining engineer) and Arun Rai of Foundation Coal’s Planning and Engineering Group provided a technical presentation to the PSU mine ventilation class (Mining 422).  Ed Zeglen shared the application of the new mine ventilation standards as well as improved barrier removal concepts.  Students were also introduced to mine altimeter pressure surveys, fan and shaft installations, water gauge readings, anemometers and velometers, and critical locations for air readings.  Arun Rai then introduced the class to the Ohio Automation ventilation model.  After a brief explanation of the model, four diverse case studies were examined.   The class then observed how the mine ventilation model would be constructed and used for budgeting purposes and capital equipment forecasting.  A general question and answer period followed along with a tour of the department’s simulated mine ventilation tunnels in the basement of the classroom building.

On April 2, Ryan Desko, SME Young Leader (and President of Desko Enterprises) taught the PSU Underground Coal Extraction (Mining 410) class.  He shared his underground coal mining engineering, production, and consulting experiences with the class.  A special focus was given to the due diligence process as it relates to underground coal mine financing. Starting with an overview of and statistics on the coal industry and its importance to the U.S., he spoke about key factors in doing a due diligence study of a proposed mine for the purpose of financing the project.  Stressing the uncertainty and risk of the coal mining business, he outlined the parameters for which details must be gathered for a report, including information and data on operating logistics, geology and reserves, human resources, safety measures, permitting and environmental issues, engineering and technical aspects, land and legal issues, operating performance comparisons, and marketing. His expertise in the topic was much appreciated, as the presentation was well received.

On April 14, Susan Bealko, Pittsburgh Section Chair (and NIOSH mining engineer); Ryan Desko;  Bill Ramer, Pittsburgh Section BOD (and Director of Technical Sales Support, Bucyrus); and Larry Beck, Pittsburgh Section BOD (and mining consultant), joined the PSU mining engineering students at a SME student chapter meeting where nearly 30 students and professors were in attendance.  The meeting, under the direction of student chapter president Brett Ashley, consisted of dinner, a discussion of student activities, and student officer elections.  The new student chapter officers include Mark Rotz, President; Drew Mason, Vice President; Tim Nolan, Secretary/Treasurer; Dan Chirdon, Social Committee Chair; and Ryan Mauser, Service Committee Chair.  After the elections, the above SME professional members presented their mining careers and SME experiences to the students, provided guidance, offered advice, and encouraged life-long SME membership.  The students asked many questions and showed an eagerness to start their summer mining internships.   

The PSU SME student chapter membership is growing.  Under the leadership of Professor R. Larry Grayson (PSU Mining Engineering Program Officer), the mining engineering student enrollment has more than doubled in less than two years with a projected enrollment of nearly fifty for the 2009 fall semester.  Moreover, Dr. Grayson has made it a common practice that every new mining engineering student joins the SME student chapter, resulting in a student membership of 100%.   Dr. Grayson keeps the PSU student chapter engaged in SME meetings, conferences, and professional enhancement activities.  In addition, PSU has started a student mine rescue team.

The Pittsburgh Section would like to thank Dr. Grayson for the open invitation to engage in outreach activities with the students.  We look forward to their participation in upcoming Pittsburgh Section events.  We would also like to thank the entire PSU mining engineering faculty for their consistent dedication to SME and for developing highly-skilled, respectful, and energetic young mining professionals.

Ed Zeglen and Arun Rai make a ventilation presentation to PSU mining engineering students.

Ryan Desko imparts his experiences into the PSU mining engineering students.

SME Pittsburgh Section professional members enjoy participating in a PSU SME student chapter meeting.  Pictured from left to right: Patricio Terrazas, Dr. Jamal Rostami, Harisha Kinilakodi (MS student), David Doctorick, Bob Burns, Matt Gray, Mark Rotz, Dan Chirdon, Ian Dehart, Frank Wallace, you, Trey Morris, Brett Ashley, Megan Orsulak (MS student), Tim Nolan, Dr. Larry Grayson, Euhhye Kim (PhD student), Alex Bugbee, Evan Garfield, Jason Reichart, Ben Klein, Tim Howell, Ryan Desko, Ryan Mauser, Bill Ramer, and visiting scholar Abdullah Fisne.