Penn State Mining Society

03/08/2020

Four EME students were recently awarded scholarships at the 2020 SME ANNUAL CONFERENCE and EXPO. Congratulations to Joelson Alves, Valdneide Silva, Jose Quiala, and Emmy Muhoza.

Joelson Alves received the M&E Division Scholarship
Valdneide Silva received the Gerald V. Henderson Memorial Scholarship
Jose Quiala receiving the Coal & Energy Division Scholarship
Emmy Muhoza received the M&E Division Scholarship

11/18/2019

11/01/2019

Sharp (Class of 2019), Duque (In the left, class of 2019), and Hutton (In the right, class of 2018) got together at the Bridgeport Quarry, Lehigh Hanson's largest quarry in North America. Hanson is a part of Heidelberg Cement Group, the world's number one aggregate producer. just started working as a rotational development candidate and interned with Lehigh for the summer. just finished the rotational development program and started a new role as Project Coordinator for the North Texas operations of Lehigh Hanson.

The at Penn State is proud of you.

10/30/2019

Joe Sbaffoni started working in the mines in 1970 and graduated from Penn State University in 1973, with an Associate Degree in Mining Technology. Joe held a range of management positions in Pennsylvania mines, rising to mine superintendent. In 1982, Joe was certified as a Pennsylvania Bituminous Mine Inspector and in 1984 was appointed to that position. In 1988, Joe was promoted to Bituminous Chief and in 2003 was appointed Director, Pennsylvania Bureau of Mine Safety. In 2015, Joe retired with thirty (30) years of Commonwealth service and over forty-five (45) years in the mining industry. Joe is extremely proud of his participation in updating mine safety and health programs, enacting Mine Families First Legislation in 2007 & Bituminous Mine Safety legislation in 2008 andthe rescue of nine (9) miners at the QuecreekMine in 2002. Joe presently operates JAS Consulting, LLC, offering services to the mining industry.

On July 24, 2002, the Quecreekmine inadvertently cut into the adjacent Harrison #2 mine releasing millions of gallons of water trapping nine miners working underground. Rescue efforts were immediately started by the mining company, PA DEP and MSHA.

Yesterday, Joe's presentation discussed the decisions and actions that led to the successful rescue of the miners. It was a massive effort that took place over four days that demonstrated sound engineering, surveying. drilling, pumping and a never quit attitude by all involved.

The Mining Society thank you Joe.

10/29/2019

Join us tomorrow 10/29 in 157 Hosler from 6-7:30 p.m. for a special presentation by Joseph "Joe" Sbaffoni, former director of the Pennsylvania Bureau of Mine Safety, about the QueCreek mine rescue.

08/13/2019

EME's 2019 summer issue of the Connection newsletter is now available to view online in PDF format. Check back later next week for hard copies available in Hosler Building!

https://www.eme.psu.edu/sites/www.eme.psu.edu/files/2019_eme_summer_issue_the_connection_.pdf

SPE Penn State
Penn State Mine Rescue Team

08/06/2019

Brandon Matejik is an incoming senior and President of Mine Rescue Team at PennState. This summer he is interning with Lehigh Hanson in their Philadelphia region aggregates division. During his internship, he has been introduced to project management along with a long list of important and large projects such as environmental work, pumping system designs, electrical system redesigns, major plant overhauls, mine plans and much more. He has likewise spent time surveying for inventory measurements, topography maps, and reclamation projects with unmanned aircraft (drones). He was given the responsibility and task of designing flight schedules and managing his own time in full.

04/14/2019

Some of our students at the Komatsu-SME workshop this past week. A special thank you to Michelle Burich for taking the time to come and talk to us about the technological advances in UG Mining.

03/23/2019

Mine Rescue and SME board members at the EMEX club fair representing the mining organizations!
If it can’t be grown, it must be mined!

02/25/2019

Our students traveled this week to Denver, CO for the annual Society of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers.

08/27/2018

Yesterday the Mining Society got together for the annual welcome picnic. Students and faculty enjoyed a Sunday afternoon with great food and outdoor activities.
Welcome back everyone and good luck this semester!

08/05/2018

Emmy Muhoza is an incoming junior and is interning this summer with TINCO investments Ltd at the Rutongo mines in Rwanda. As part of his internship, Emmy worked with geologists in the exploration of potential new mining areas. He also participated in the development of existing underground mines by way of mapping, drilling, and blasting and has learned a lot about mineral processing and surveying as well.