wvBLACK DIAMONDS

®

College ofEngineering and

Mineral Resources

March 2007 / Vol.6, No.2

Department of Mining Engineering

table of contents

Dr. Syd S. Peng elected toNational Academy ofEngineering.

Dr. Douglas Dahl presented2006 Fall Poundstone Lecture.

Visiting Committee focusedon recruiting, equipment, andspace needs for increasingenrollment.

Dr. Chris Bise, New Chair forMining EngineeringDepartment.

Alumni feature articles &news.

Faculty and students receivedawards from PCMIA, SME-Pittsburgh, and mine design.

Three consecutive R&D 100Awards.

WVCERB emphasis on emer-gency shelter/chamber, andtracking and communicationsystem.

On November 16th, Dr. H. DouglasDahl presented the fall PoundstoneLecture to a room filled with students,professors, alumni and friends. In hisprovocative style, Doug titled his lec-ture: “Let’s Kill the Bureaucracy andSave Our Miners.” He started his com-ments at the national level by explain-ing that it is a travesty that this coun-try does not have a working energypolicy that will take the nation whereit needs to go. He believes that, in thelong term, nuclear energy should beused for generating electricity and thatcoal should be saved for producingeasily transportable liquids for vehicles and homeheating. This approach would minimize the country’sdependence on foreign energy sources and help mini-mize greenhouse gases (although he is very skepticalabout the certainty of global warming based on mod-els that cannot even predict present conditions letalone the future). Unfortunately, Doug believes thathis energy policy suggestion is so simple and straightforward, that it probably will not be accepted.

In regard to the coal mining indus-try, Dr. Dahl states that several fac-tors have brought the mining indus-try to where it is today.Management is changing. Manycompanies are going public andthere is pressure for the short termstock performance. Many of thesepublic coal companies are managedby business professionals and nottechnical people as in the past.Labor is changing. The UMWAused to dominate the landscape andkeep an iron hold on the coal indus-try. Now, the UMWA does not con-

trol any large sector of the coal industry. The coalmarket is changing. The power industry used to bemostly concerned with the BTU of the coal, but nowthe sulfur content is more critical. There used to bemany captive mines, but there are few now. There islittle concern for supply from the power industry,

(See Dahl, Page 2)

Visiting Committee Focusedon the Need of FacilitiesDr. Dan Alexander explained to the VisitingCommittee members the need for more space,equipment, and computers in Mining EngineeringComputer Laboratories to accommodate thedouble enrollment of undergraduate students inthe Department.

Dr. Douglas Dahl at thepodium during his PoundstoneLecture

Dr. H. Douglas Dahl PresentedFall 2006 Poundstone Lecture

Dr. Syd S. PengElected to NationalAcademy ofEngineering As this issue of Black Diamonds goes to press, itwas just announced that Dr. Syd S. Peng, Professorand holder of the Charles E. Lawall Chair in MiningEngineering, has been elected as a member of theNational Academy of Engineering. This is a tremen-dous honor for Dr. Peng, as well as for theDepartment, College, and University. Please join usin congratulating Syd in recognition for this greatachievement!

March 2007 Vol. 6, No.22

News Poundstone/Alumni/Visiting Committee/New Chair

(Dahl from Page 1)

coal is treated as a commodity. Mining technol-ogy is changing. Roof support has greatlyimproved, longwall mining has become thedominant underground extraction system overcontinuous miners, draglines have replacedshovels, and belt haulage has replaced rail.Mining regulations have changed. In 1920, theEmpire State Building was built in a year. Nowit takes eight years to permit a mine. The oneconstant in the industry is the miners. Theyare hard-working and loyal to their company,the coal industry and their fellow employees.

In regard to improving mine safety, Doug statesthat there are a number of stipulations, orpremises that must be considered:

1)The public has a responsibility to take rea-sonable steps to protect miners.

2) MSHA and WV OMHS&T provide a valuableservice to our industry, but we are not utiliz-ing these agencies to our best capability.

3) Neither agency has primary responsibility;the mines have to satisfy both.

4) Organizational efficiency is eroded whenmore than one entity is given total responsi-bility.

5) Once society has formed an entity, it is nearimpossible to eliminate it.

To address these stipulations, Dr. Dahl believesthat restructuring the West Virginia Office ofMiners’ Health Safety and Training (WVOMHS&T) would be the best approach. MSHAhas a budget of $280 million and 4000 employ-ees or $900/yr/ miner. In contrast, WVOMHS&T has a budget of $6 million and 110

employees or $400/yr/miner (and OSHA spendsless than $3/year/worker). Federal regulationsare more explicit and detailed, and have signif-icant criminal laws. State regulations are moregeneral and allow a lot of discretion, but areadministered by low paid state workers. MSHAhas much greater resources, and the stateagency is more prone to political sway (a sig-nificant impediment to efficiency). To optimizeminer’s safety and capitalize on the strength ofthe two agencies, Doug believes that the stateOMHS&T should get out of enforcement andleave it to MSHA, and then concentrate ontraining and certification.

Attending the 2006 Fall Visiting CommitteeMeeting were (left to right): MichaelPeelish, Foundation Coal; Ronald Stovash,CONSOL Energy; John Murphy (Chair),University of Pittsburgh; Marshall Miller,Marshall Miller and Associates; Jeff Kelley,ICG Tygart Valley; Chuck Dunbar,International Coal Group, Mining Services;Jim Laurita, Mepco Inc.; Chris Bise, Chair,Mining Engineering Department., WVU; andStanley Suboleski, Federal Health & SafetyReview Commission.

The Department Visiting Committee Met

Dr. Douglas Dahl received the PoundstoneLecture crystal trophy and gifts from Dr.Christopher Bise, Chair of the Dept. ofMining Engineering

The Department Visiting Committee met onNovember 22, 2006. Among the issues dis-cussed were freshman/high school recruiting,alumni assistant recruiting, computer laborato-ries support, and additional space needs. The

Committee reviewed the progress offreshman/high school recruiting programs, andexplored the College computer support and theneed for more space and equipment for teachingand mine design computer laboratories.

The audience packed the auditorium to listento Dr. Dahl presenting the PoundstoneLecture.

• Richard W. Lee (BSEM ’47) retired. He frac-tured his hip in Sept. ’05, now walking careful-ly with a cane.

• Joseph V. Tassone (BSEM ’51) retired fromDayco Products, Inc. in ’96, having served asVP and General Council. Self-employed &working part-time for Dayco as attorney andAsst. Secretary, Intellectual Property.

• David Eyer (MSEM ’62) is enjoying an activeretirement as a volunteer in the performingarts & mining- related consulting work.

• Steven Jeb Turner (BSEM ’79) 22 yearswith Pittston Coal, over 4 years at CumberlandResources as General Supt., installing & oper-ating underground mines. Enjoys coaching his2 daughters, 9 & 11 yrs., in basketball, softball,& soccer.

• Joseph Ferrell (BSEM ’81) VP & GM of O-NMinerals, Inc. Married to Candace HamlynFerrell (‘81), 3 children, Rebecca, Rachel, &Joseph III. Rebecca is another proudMountaineer!

• Charles J. Cira (BSEM ’84) established Cira& Associates Consulting, LLC in ’04. Serves asDirector of Op. for this environmental consult-ing & contracting co. located in Morgantown,WV.

• Robert Edward Murray (BSEM ’98)November 2005 appointed GM of the OhioValley Coal Co. Received his MBA from OhioState University in June 2006. He and wifeKelli have 2 children, Julia & Colin.

• Nancy L. Dorset (BSMinE ’01, MSMinE’03) hired by Penn State Fayette in Jan. ‘06 tostart the A.S. in mining technology program.This program is a working partnership withConsol, DBT America, Foundation Coal Corp.& Peabody.

Alumni News

Richelle and JoeZirkle (BSMinE ’04)at their weddingceremony onOctober 14, 2006, PA.

College of Engineering and Mineral Resources WVU 3

Department of Mining Engineering wvBLACK DIAMONDS

Dr. Christopher Bise, a Philadelphia native,received his Bachelor’s in Mining Engineeringfrom Virginia Tech. Upon graduating fromVirginia Tech, Bise went to work forConsolidation Coal Company in eastern Ohio.He says, “I started as an engineer trainee atwhat was then the Hanna Coal CompanyDivision of Consol.” Some eight months laterBise was promoted to resident engineer for twounderground mines in eastern Ohio, all by theripe old age of 22.

Bise was then offered a graduate assistantshipfrom The Pennsylvania State University. Bisecontinues, “I had every intention of returning toConsol once I received my Master’s. I enjoyedthe people and working for that company verymuch.” However, as he finished up, Penn Stateasked if he would consider going on for his PhD.“Although it wasn’t my intention, I did think Iwould enjoy teaching,” says Bise. Thus, whenhe was offered a position as an instructor heaccepted, all at once beginning his career onthe faculty of Penn State and earning his PhD inmining engineering.

After completion of his PhD in 1980, Bise stayedon at Penn State in the tenure track as an assis-tant professor. He climbed the ranks, chairingthe Mining Engineering program, forming a newIndustrial Health and Safety major, and in 2002he was named the George H. and Anne B. DeikeChair of Mining Engineering, the position heheld until joining WVU in September of 2006.Bise shows much enthusiasm about his opportu-nity to lead West Virginia University’sDepartment of Mining Engineering.

He says, “When I was contacted by WVU, I wasexcited for many reasons. This is a major uni-versity in the heart of a state where mining isso important. WVU sees much support fromindustry as well as alumni.” He continues,“WVU has all the right features if you are goingto be a mining engineering educator. I truly feela lot can be accomplished from this location.”

Bise goes on to say he envies the students forthe opportunities afforded them while in schooland upon their graduation. He says, “Because ofthe aging workforce there will be a tremendousturn-over of top management. Graduates will

most likely hold down positions of responsibilitythey might not have been considered for untilthey were about 40.” This trend seems toencompass all fields: industry, government, andacademia. Bise adds, “This is a crucial time toget people into our field to teach the next gen-eration.” Thus one of Bise’s main goals isrecruiting students into our program and retain-ing them through graduation.

Dr. Christopher Bise, NewChair of Mining EngineeringDepartment

Dr. Chris Bise joins the Dept. of MiningEngineering as the new Chair, September 1, 2006

Charles Dunbar, PE, (BSME 1980) arranged avisit to the Exploration/Engineering offices ofthe International Coal Group’s (ICG) HunterRidge Coal Co. for Dr. Alexander’s MiningExploration & Valuation class of junior studentson December 6, 2006. ICG maintains a databaseof about 4,000 drill holes to support the opera-tional and planning needs of their existing andfuture mines. Joe Andrews, ICG’s SeniorGeologist for the NWV area, went through eachstep in planning, land work, permitting, drilling,logging, analyzing, and modeling the geologic

and quality data. Joe emphasized that the roofand floor characteristics are the most importantpredictors of future productivity. The map shownin the photo is based on the number of cleantons per linear foot of continuous mineradvance. This allows them to easily see wherea normal section will likely be economic whenthey lay out a mine. Thanks to companies likeICG, the WVU Mining Engineering students areable to learn first hand how different expertiseis applied to solve mining problems.

ICG Exploration andEngineering Office Visited

Calendar of EventsFeb 25-28 2007 SME Annual Meeting &Exhibit, Denver, CO.

April 1 Mineral Resources Awards Banquet,Morgantown, WV.

April 19 Poundstone Lecture, MineralResources Bldg, WVU, Morgantown, WV.

April 20 Spring Visiting Committee Meeting,Morgantown, WV.

May 12 138th WVU Commencement,Morgantown, WV.

July 31–August 2 26th InternationalConference on Ground Control in Mining,Morgantown, WV.

Oct 18-20 WVMI&SME-CAS the Greenbrier,Sulphur Springs, WV.

Oct 25-26 PCMIA&SME-Pittsburgh,Southpointe, PA.

Nov 15 Poundstone Lecture, MiningEngineering Dept., WVU, Morgantown, WV.

Nov 15-16 Fall Visiting Committee Meeting,Morgantown, WV.

2006 Mining Exploration & Valuation class at International Coal Group’s Hunter Ridge CoalCompany’s office. Dr. Dan Alexander and Joe Andrews are fourth and fifth from right.

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News Recollections/Awards

My first official introduction to the WestVirginia University School of Mines took placeat a luncheon held in the dining room of theMountainair Hotel in Mount Hope, WV, thespring of 1940. I was accompanied by my father,Charles E. Howard, who was AssistantSecretary of The New River Company, a produc-er of Sewell seam coal from deep mines inFayette and Raleigh counties, West Virginia.Our two guests were Dr. C. Lawall, who at thattime was serving as both director of the Schoolof Mines and also as a teacher, and ProfessorG.R. Spindler. It was then that I decided toattend the School of Mines in the Fall of 1940and after much, much work and study, and sev-eral military draft deferments, I graduated inJanuary, 1943, during the middle of World War II.

Early remembrances of the School of Minesstaff include the director, Dr. Lawall, laterPresident of West Virginia University, andProfessors G. R. Spindler, W. A. Staub andCharles T. Holland. Classrooms attended inthose days included “Mechanical Hall” whichserved as headquarters for all the engineeringdepartments, under the direction of Dean R. P.Davis, the “Chemistry Building” with Dr. A. R.Collett as head teacher, and last, but not least,“Woodburn Hall” (English classes). Over thenext several years I became acquainted withprofessors and instructors in the College ofEngineering and the Department of Chemistry,including, Dean R. P. Davis, Professors Carl andHarold Cather, H. W. ‘Hank’ Speiden, andProfessor Boomsliter, all engineers, and Dr.Collett (chemistry), among several others. Afew, but not all, of the many engineering stu-dents with whom I associated were: BillBarnard, John Baugues, David Bayer, ArthurBelton, Bob Beury, Jack Caffrey, LynnCavendish, Steve Dasovich, John Draper, BobEdele, Jesse Gravely, James G. Hawes, Jon E.Kaites, Fred Leckie, Bob Maurer, Ennis A.Naeve, William H. Noone, John Pomykata, JohnRudnicki, Warren D. Sharpenberg, G. H. Siems,Jr., John W. Straton, Don Wiebe, David A.Zegeer, and many more.

During World War II, education at the Universitychanged considerably. Classes ran continuallyand there were no summer vacations. This wasin order to graduate as many and as quickly aspossible, because they were needed in bothindustry and the armed forces. Warren

Sharpenberg, Bill Bernard, and many others inadvanced military (ROTC) were ‘called to thecolors’ at an earlier date and, therefore, did notget to graduate with their class. In fact, in theSchool of Mines there were only two graduatesin January of 1943 - Dave Zegeer and myself. Ido remember hoping, before the war, to get ajob, after graduating, in the engineering depart-ment of some good coal company, where it wasrumored that the pay scale was the almostunbelievable $200 a month.

This all changed, however, when shortly beforegraduation, I was excited to receive a letterfrom the U.S. Dept. of the Navy advising methat, as a graduate engineer, I would be eligiblefor a commission as an ensign in the U.S. NavalReserve. After graduation I, therefore, traveledto the local Naval Indoctrination Station, passedthe physical examination, and was commis-sioned as Ensign Thomas W. Howard, D. V .S.(Deck Volunteer Special). After attending, andpassing, the Naval Indoctrination School inHollywood, Florida, I entered the US Navy as acombat officer, serving in the Pacific Theater asAssistant, and later as the Engineering Officer,aboard the USS LST 880. We steamed over theentire Pacific, with many, many scary days!

One of the good and funny remembrances I con-tinue to hold of my naval service, was when Ilearned that a fellow engineer from MountHope, George H. “Sonny” Siems, Jr., an earliergraduate of the WVU Department of CivilEngineering, was serving with a “Seabee” uniton the island of Saipan. Later, when our shipchanced to land at Saipan to pick up some sup-plies, I took the opportunity to visit George, whowith his group, was in charge of constructinglarge underground water reservoirs for theAmerican troops stationed there. I learned ofhis whereabouts and traveled by jeep severalmiles to “Seabee” headquarters, where I askedto see him. It was obvious during this short visitthat this “Seabee” unit was comprised of manyrough-appearing construction workers. In a fewminutes, George appeared-waving his handsand saying to me in a whisper: “For God's sake,Tom, don't call me Sonny!” I quickly understoodwhy, because if his men ever heard his WestVirginia nickname, he would continually bereferred to as “Lieutenant Sonny” -to his cha-grin. George has since passed away, but I stillrecall that “Sonny” day in Saipan.

After World War II, I returned to the School ofMines to obtain my MSEM, while also, at therequest of Professor C. T. Holland, to beemployed by the University as a School ofMines Instructor, teaching along with ProfessorHolland, the overflow of mining undergraduatestudents. He and I were for a period of time theentire faculty of the School of Mines, sinceProfessional Spindler was on leave serving thegovernment. Later, Don Bondurant and severalothers came aboard. During my time on theSchool of Mines staff, I developed a lastingfriendship with Charles Holland. In 1948, I mar-ried Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Sibray of Grant Town,a daughter of a Pitt mining engineer, Mr. DonaldL. Sibray. We lived on Beverly Avenue and afterearning my MSEM, Betty and I left Morgantownto return to my home in Mount Hope, where Iwas employed by The New River Company.“New River” at that time was under the direc-tion of Mr. C. R. Bourland, President, and underhis leadership, was one of the most progressivemining companies in southern West Virginia,mining the prized Sewell, Beckley, and FireCreek seams. At “New River”, I rose throughthe ranks, beginning as a member of UMWA,including attending union meetings as a coalloader, only to later take over the duties as the“A” Shift Section Foreman on ‘7th Right, 16West Mains’ of “Summerlee Mine”, which wasa shaft mine, operating in the gassy SewellSeam that operated continuously from 1906through 1958. During my time at Summerlee,The New River Company was both hand-loadingcoal into cars and/or onto shaker or chain lineconveyors. Over the following years, “NewRiver” progressed from hand-loading coal tomore mechanized methods, included continuousminer means to produce coal.

(See Howard, Page 5)

Thomas W. Howard:Recollectionsby Thomas W. Howard (BSEM ’43; MSEM ’55)

Thomas Howard at his office, Mount Hope, WV

March 2007 Vol. 6, No.2

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College of Engineering and Mineral Resources WVU 5

Department of Mining Engineering wvBLACK DIAMONDS

(Howard from, Page 4)

In the early 1950’s I joined the EngineeringDepartment of The New River Company andwas later promoted to Ventilation Engineer overall mines, ultimately becoming the company'sChief Engineer. In 1961, due to a major changein management at The New River Company, Ielected to form my own company, Thomas W.Howard, Inc., to provide engineering services toboth local and international mining Companies.

Thomas W. Howard, Inc. grew to providereserve studies and feasibility studies for vari-ous companies, such as Cannelton Industriesand The New River Company for new shaftmines in the Beckley seam, as well as clienteleall over the world, including India. In the earlieryears, the company ‘set spads’ in a multitude ofnearby coal mines and over the years Land com-panies and Estate Trusts also became clients.During the 1960’s I also served on WV’s Boardof Registration for Professional Engineers.

In 1974, inaddition to themy duties atHoward, Inc., Iaccepted theposition ofGeneralManager,Beaver CoalCompany, Ltd.“Beaver” is aPhiladelphia-based landcompany own-ing some40,000 acres oflands in andaroundBeckley, WV. Iheld the posi-

tion of General Manager at “Beaver” for morethan 20 years while concurrently running myengineering firm, Thomas W. Howard, Inc. TodayI serve on the Board of Directors of BeaverManagement Corporation, the General Partnerof Beaver Coal Company, Ltd. My career in min-ing has seen many changes and I have personal-ly watched production evolve from hand-loadingto the most automated longwalls. I recall thefirst roof bolts being used by The New RiverCompany when timber supports were graduallyreplaced.

Today, at nearly 85 years of age, I remain anactive part of Thomas W. Howard, Inc., servingas Chief Financial Officer. Son Charles (BSEM,‘83 and MS Mineral Economics ‘86) is nowPresident and manages the day to day activi-ties. I come to the office daily to work in thesame room where I held the position of ChiefEngineer during my days with The New RiverCompany. In fact, my family now owns the for-mer General Office Building of The New RiverCompany in Mount Hope. It remains full ofinteresting archives, historical documents, andmemories. Any reader of this article is welcometo stop by to “take the grand tour” of the build-ing and perhaps even visit with us!

Our business continues today, after some 46years, with capable son Charles G. Howard, P.E.,a graduate of WVU School of Mines, at thehelm.

Left to right: Tom Howard, M.H. Warden, Mine Foreman, and J.F. Colley,Section Foreman, Beckley Seam, Stanford Mine, New River Co. (1952).

MinE Faculty and Students Gain RecognitionFaculty and students attended the joint meetingof SME Pittsburgh Section and PCMIA onOctober 26-27, 2006. Dr. Keith Heasley receivedthe 2006 PCMIA Stephen McCann EducationalExcellence Award. This award is given to indi-viduals for exemplary contributions to mineralseducation. Morgan Sears and Patrick Pelleywere also recognized at PCMIA/SME -Pittsburghsection with the Donald S. Kingery StudentAward and the SME-Pittsburgh Grant Award,respectively.

Samantha J. Stahle and Lucas O’Neal took thefirst place prize of Carlson Software MineDesign Competition. The Award was presentedby Carlson at the 2006 Annual Joint Meeting ofWest Virginia Coal Mining Institute (WVMI) andSME Central Appalachian Section on October19-21, 2006 at the Greenbrier, White SulfurSprings, WV. They were also the Silver Awardwinner of 2005 PCMIA/SME Student Design.

Samantha Stahle (left) and Lucas O’Neal(right) received first place in the CarlsonSoftware Mine Design Competition.

Morgan Sears received the Donald S. KingeryStudent Award from PCMIA.

Dr. Keith A. Heasley received BestEducator Award from PCMIA.

Patrick Pelley (center) receiving theGrant Award from SME-Pittsburgh.

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News Mine Tours/Alumni Banquet/Fairwell/Visiting Scholar

Robinson Run Mine Coal Preparation Plant andMaterial Handling Facilities Tour

Mining Engineering students and a facultymember toured Robinson Run Mine, CoalPreparation Plant and surface material handlingsystem, CONSOL, near Shinston, WV, onOctober 25, 2006. After safety training and abrief explanation of material flow on the plantflowsheet, John Boyd, Plant Superintendent,and Steve Metzler, Senior Process Engineer,who designed the Coal Preparation Plant, ledus on the plant tour. Leonard Roman, WVU min-ing engineer, guided us on 4 mile long overland

conveyor belt system under construction. ThePittsburgh #8 seam coal from longwall miningsection is transported via belt conveyor to arotary breaker in the crushing plant for sizereduction and liberation. Raw coal is stocked inthe silos and fed at 2500 tph rate to, or by-passing the plant. The plant feed goes throughsizing, cleaning, and dewatering, and sends theproduct to a rail car loadout system and on toShinston power plant. The plant consists ofdense-medium vessel, dense medium cyclone,

2-stage water-only cyclones-spirals, and frothflotation cells cleaning circuits. The tour makesit possible for the students to familiarize them-selves with the unit operations in the plant andmaterial handling systems. The Departmentwould like to thank Jimmy Brock, vice presidentin charge of Northern WV operations, for thepermission to visit the facilities, and all theengineers involved in the arrangements andconducting the tour.

Underground Mine Tour at CenturyMine, American Energy, OHMore than twenty mining engineering students,faculty, and visiting scholars participated in theAmerican Energy Coal Mine trip. The Departmentchartered a WVU bus to transport the group tothe mine site. The group arrived at Century Mineof American Energy Corporation, BelmontCounty, OH, on October 13, 2006. We weregreeted by Rob Murray, (BSMinE, ’00), Vice-President-Sales, Ryan Murray (BSMinE, ’02),Mine Superintendent, and Jim Turner, (BSMinE,

’02), Mining Engineer. Rob and Ryan presentedbackground on American Energy enterprise, andthen provided the safety training. The group wasthen split in two to visit 600 ft deep under-ground operations. Both groups had the opportu-nity to visit continuous mining and long wallmining sections, and underground conveyor sys-tem. The Mining Engineering Department wouldlike to express appreciation to American Energyfor accommodating the mine visit.

Fall Mineral Resources Alumni ChapterBanquet was held in Erickson AlumniCenter, Morgantown, WV on Oct. 13, 2006.

Summer Picnic at Dr. Khair’s place onSeptember 10, 2006

Mineral ResourcesAlumni Banquet

Thinking of making a gift to benefit ourDepartment in your will, living trust, IRA, orother manner? If so, the proper wording isvery important to ensure that your gift worksout the way you intended.

Have your attorney include a provision direct-ed “to the West Virginia UniversityFoundation, Inc. (i.d. #55-6017181) to benefitthe Department of Mining Engineering in theCollege of Engineering and MineralResources.” Your gift provision can providefor the creation of an opportunity fund, a

faculty development fund, a scholarship— whatever you choose. It will help us in animportant way to further our educational,research and service mission.

If you would like further assistance withyour gift plans, call Bob Bragg, CEMR at(304) 293-4821, or Chris Bise at (304) 293-7680 x3302.

Making a Gift to the MinE Department

March 2007 Vol. 6, No.2

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College of Engineering and Mineral Resources WVU 7

Department of Mining Engineering wvBLACK DIAMONDS

Graduation day isthe day I looked for-ward to and alsofeared. On the oneside I am ready tostart a new chapterin my life by enteringinto the workingworld and applyingthe knowledge I

obtained from my years in the WVU MiningEngineering program; on the flip side, I will beleaving the life of school, the easy life so tospeak. By easy, I mean getting up late, going totwo or three classes, and then hanging out withfriends for the rest of the day. I’m not naiveenough to believe this is how it works in thereal world! My time at WVU has been fantas-tic, especially since joining the mining engineer-ing program at the end of my freshman year. I

could not have asked for a better college expe-rience. Going to class, doing homework, andstudying were definitely a major part of my lifewhile in the mining engineering program, butthe end of the year projects will forever bestuck in my memory. Just about all of the min-ing engineering classes required some sort ofend of the semester project. Completing thoseprojects I learned the most about what wasgoing on in class and about myself. The proj-ects were a great way to put everything youlearned together and show your ability to com-prehend mining engineering. It also was a wayto bond with other students as everyone lives inthe Mine Design room the last two weeks ofthe semester!

Beyond the classroom, the Mining Engineeringprogram introduced to me lifelong friendsamong my peers and teachers. I know that I

can always call up a teacher or a fellow studentin the working world for some advice and thatis how I look at the mining program; a networkof friends with a common interest that is forev-er growing. Thanks to all!

Graduation Dayby Bryan Schwalm (BSMinE ‘06)

Bryan Schwalm (left) and Brandon Williamson(right) with Chair Chris Bise on graduation,Dec. 10, 2006

Visiting Scholar from Brazilby André Zingano, PhD, Professor of UFRGS

I came from the city of Porto Alegre, capital ofthe Rio Grande do Sul State, southern state ofBrazil. I am married to Cristina, and we havetwo kids, Henrique, 14, and Isabella, 11. I am aProfessor in the Mining Engineering Department(DEMIN) of Federal University of Rio Grande doSul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil. The MiningEngineering Program was funded 60 years agoat UFRGS, and presently has 120 students & 10faculty. The DEMIN is very strong in geostatis-tics and mining planning, also in mineral pro-cessing. My research area is ground control inunderground mining and tunneling. It is growingfast, because we have some projects with min-ing companies and road construction companiesabout rock mass characterization and excava-tion support projects.

The southern region of Brazil has 14 coal mines,four surface mines, and 10 underground mines.The underground mines are room-and-pillar min-ing methods. Therefore, ground control is themost important issue for mining planning andoperation. Also, environmental problems are theother concern for the mining companies; mainlythe environmental problem comes from prepara-tion plant and tailing disposal, because theROM coal in Brazil has 45% ash, on average.

Presently, I am a visiting scholar in the MiningEngineering Department of WVU, under the

supervision of Dr. Syd Peng. The MiningEngineering group of WVU is very strong inground control and underground coal mining andits great quality is being recognized worldwide. The Ground Control Conference is themost famous Conference in Ground Control, andall the famous researchers in ground controlaround the world have published papers in theproceedings. It is great honor for me to havepapers published in this Conference.

I am working on many projects with the GroundControl Group. These projects are about miningsubsidence, roof support, and rock mass charac-terization. It is very important to me to belongto this group because I am improving my knowl-edge about rock mechanics, and also I can makemy contribution with what I already know aboutthis.

Another important experience is the opportunityto visit underground coal mines that are apply-ing longwall and room-and-pillar mining meth-ods. The mine visits are important because I cangain field experience in exactly what I study inclass and read in books, and also understandthe behavior of the rock mass around the exca-vation.

Therefore, I can apply all this knowledge on theresearch project I brought from Brazil about coal

mining in very deep conditions, more than 1640feet (500 meters). This project is very important,because there are many coal resources undervery large overburden thickness, and in theoverburden there are some aquifers. Also, thereis another project that will start in myUniversity next year, about back filling minedout areas with tailing material from preparationplants, and from power plants. It is a veryimportant project for environmental and groundcontrol issues.

In conclusion, this period I will be here in WVUas a visiting scholar, working with Dr. Syd Pengis the best experience for me and will greatlyimprove my knowledge about rock mechanics.This experience will increase the quality of theresearches about rock mechanics at myUniversity in Brazil.

Zingano Family: Dr. Andre Zingano, his wifeCristina, daughter Isabella, and son Henriqueon the WVU Campus

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News Faculty/Mine Tour/Research Awards

Alexander Beginning a NIOSHCareer by Dan Alexander (PhDMinE ‘06)As you read this my wife Anna and I will be ona 44 foot sailboat, cruising in the British VirginIslands (BVI), where we are working on coastalcruising and bareboat chartering certifications.The photo was taken in November onChesapeake Bay. We are hoping for warmerweather in the BVI. I have enjoyed the last sixyears in the Mining Engineering Dept. at WVU. I was able to help 35 students complete theirsenior mine design projects and in the processthey earned 9 national awards. WVU hasenhanced its reputation as one of the bestundergraduate mining engineering programs inthe US. The mining program enrollment isresponding to the renewed interest in coal andthe department recruiting efforts, so there aremany good challenges ahead. Helping studentstransition from tentative freshman to confidentseniors ready for new careers was most reward-ing. I was also able to respond to the renewedinterest in coal and the department recruitingefforts, so there are many good challengesahead. I was also able to complete my disser-tation on “The Expected Value ofCatastrophes in Underground Coal Mines:1987-2001” and receive a PhD last May. My

Visiting Assistant Professor position ended inDecember. I will begin a new career at NIOSHwhen we return from the BVI. I will then jointhe Pittsburgh Research Laboratory of NIOSH, asManager of the Emergency Response andRescue Research Program, in the DisasterPrevention and Response Branch. Best wishes inthe coming year; and keep me on the mailinglist!

Dr. Dan Alexander cruising on ChesapeakeBay.

9 National AwardWinners inMine/StudentDesign Projects While Dan Alexander was the instructor,together with Drs. Keith Heasley and SydPeng, for the capstone mine design classes,the Mining Engineering Departmentreceived 9 national awards for mine/stu-dent design projects. The award winnerswere: Samantha Stahle (BSMinE, ‘05) andLucas O’Neal (BSMinE, ‘06), the 2006Carlson Software First Place and 2005SME/PCMIA Student Design Silver Awardwinners. Joe Zirkle (BSMinE, ’04), the2005 Carlson Software Second Place and2005 SME/PCMIA Silver Award winner. DonSwartz (BSMinE ’03), 2004 SME/PCMIAGold Award Co-Winner. Hilaria Ireland andRebecca Hardy, (BSMINE ‘02), the 2003SME/PCMIA Gold Award winners. RyanMurray (BSMinE, ‘02), the 2002SME/PCMIA Gold Award and 2003 CarlsonSoftware First Place Award winner. RyanToler and Shelley Shalvis (MinEBS, ‘01),were 2001 SME/PCMIA Silver AwardWinners.

Charles Howard (BSEM ‘83) arranged a minevisit for the seniors to Baylor Mining’s BeckleyCrystal Mine near Beckley, WV on October 2,2006. Beaver Coal Co. hosted the studentsovernight in their cabins and Thomas W.Howard, Inc. paid other expenses of the trip.These mine visits are essential to the miningengineering program at WVU. Classroom workmust be supplemented by actual internships atactive mines and mine visits.

Bob Worley, Superintendent - Owner of Baylor

Mining, and CecilMorgan, Riverside Energy,met us at the mine.

The geology of the mineis highly variable thick-nesses and splits com-ing and going over shortdistances. The split ven-tilation method is used

Seniors Visit Beckley Crystal Mine

Dr. Yi Luo hasaccepted anappointment as atenure trackAssociateProfessor in theDept. of MiningEngineeringeffective August,2006. Dr. Yi Luoreceived his B.S.in Mining

Engineering from Xian University of Science andTechnology, China. His MS in MiningEngineering was obtained from University ofIdaho, where he studied mine ventilation indeep and hot mines. He completed his PhDMinEin 1989 at West Virginia University. While work-ing on projects of respirable dust control andmine subsidence. Dr. Yi Luo has years of teach-ing experiences as a research professor at WVUincluding, underground mining systems, mineventilation, coal-bed methane recovery, as wellas surface subsidence theory and engineering.

He also has taught underground mining systemto the students at WVU Tech. Dr. Luo’s researchincludes characterization of coal seam usingelectromagnetic transmission; drill string radarand navigation system; and measurement anddrill technology. He also has worked on long-wall mine subsidence, engineering control oflongwall machine noises; evaluation of minefire extinguishment methods; and testing ofseismic communication system.

Dr. Yi Luo Accepts Appointment as Associate Professor

March 2007 Vol. 6, No.2

(See Crystal Mine, Page 11)

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College of Engineering and Mineral Resources WVU 9

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Three Consecutive R&D 100Awards for Stolar Horizon, Inc.and Mining Engineering, WVU

For the third straight year, the Department of Mining Engineering researchproject in partnership with Stolar Horizon, Inc., of Raton, New Mexico, hasreceived a R&D 100 Award from R&D Magazine. This year’s award was forthe development of a Data Transmission System (DTS) used in the “real-time measurement while drilling” system. The radar sensor and navigatingsystem of DTS gathers the information and sends the guidance commandback to the drill string. This greatly increases the efficiency of the entiredrilling operation compared to the current trial-and-error drilling technolo-gy. DTS also maps the geology of the rock and coal seam, as well as iden-tifies the rock types of the mine roof and floor. A reliable DTS betweenthe drill string and the surface control unit over long distances is the keyto tapping the full potential of the new drilling technology.

The technology is now being tested underground.

Left to right: Stolar Horizon, Inc.: Igor and Svetlana Buasov, JerryJones, John Howard, Eddie Bonnin, and WVU Mining Engineering: Drs.Yi Luo, Syd Peng, and Felicia Peng.

WV Coal and Energy Research Bureau Focuses onEmergency Shelter/Chamber, Tracking and

Communication Systems Procedures for Evaluation of Emergency Shelter/Chamber for ApprovalPIs: Dr. Felicia F. Peng, Associate Professor, and Dr.Keith A. Heasley, Associate ProfessorThis project is to develop and implement the appropriate protocols forevaluating and certifying that the emergency shelter/chambers, submit-ted to the West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training(WVOMHST) for approval to meet the requirement of WV Law. The com-ponents to be evaluated are: 1) structure soundness and overpressurecapability of the chamber; 2) chamber flash temperature and flameresistance; 3) O2 delivery system; 4) CO2 scrubbing system; 5) tempera-ture and humidity control system; 6) entry/exit airlock air purging sys-tem and procedure 7) human waste disposal method; 8) internal andexternal gas monitoring systems; 9) water, essential nutrient, and firstaid supplies, and 10) inspection, maintenance, and replacement sched-ule, etc.

Seismic Location SystemPIs: Dr. Yi Luo, Associate Professor, Dr. Keith A.Heasley, Associate Professor and Syd S. Peng,Charles E. Lawall Chair in Mining EngineeringIn serious mine accidents, the trapped miners are trained to periodicallypound the mine roof with tools available to them as an emergency pro-cedure. The deployed seismic location system on the surface will listento such signals and try to pinpoint their location. This project is todevelop the technical specifications for the seismic location systems tobe used in the state and to understand the applicability and limitationsof these systems. The research group joined by the seismic equipment

vendors demonstrated their equipment and software capabilities forlocating trapped miners at two different test sites. Also, the ways toenhance the hardware and software capabilities will be studied in thefuture. The researchers sincerely thank MEPCO and Peabody for provid-ing sites and logistics for the tests conducted. Special thanks go toEngineering Seismology Group and Weir-Jones Group, both fromCanada, for providing seismic equipment, and personnel for the tests.Also, Hilti USA has provided their special mine tools and technicalassistance for testing their tools as generators of seismic signals.

Evaluation of CommunicationSystemPI: A. Wahab Khair, ProfessorThe objective of this project is to evaluate the emergency communica-tion systems potential to be used in underground coal mines. The fol-lowing existing systems have been specifically targeted for evaluations:i) UHF radio sets, ii) leaky feeder system, and iii) wireless communica-tion. Through examination of existing systems the following conditionsare to be observed: 1) to be effective mining conditions must be consid-ered. 2) surface system must be further developed for underground mineuse; 3) no single system is sufficient for a large mine; 4) the integrationof different technologies is required; 5) the systems must be testedunder the worst conditions such as no power supply, mine fire, etc.; 6)LAMPS system which has been extensively used in Australia, should bemodified and transformed to be used in US.

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News Ground Control Conference/GEM Show

In August 2006, Dr. Syd Peng, Chair of MiningEngineering, and C. T. Holland Professor, WestVirginia University, and Chair of ICGCMOrganizing Committee, and the Conference cel-ebrated and commemorated its 25th anniversaryat the Lakeview Scanticon Resort, Morgantown,WV. The keynote speaker was David G. Dye,Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor, MineSafety and Health Administration. Mr. Dyeaddressed the Conference by recognizing Dr.

Syd Peng’s significant contributions in longwallmining and ground control. He said that, Dr.Peng’s contributions have had a major impact onimproving safety and reducing fatalities inAmerica’s mines. He thanked Peng for theimportant work he has carried on throughout theyears. Many miners are alive today because ofDr. Peng’s dedicated work to protect them.When Mr. Dye learned that there are many mineoperators at this Conference, he extended aspecial welcome to them. He said, “It is withpeople like you who care, who insist on learning

the most up-to-datesafety and healthinformation, whoactively participatein safety and healthdecisions in yourmines–that we canwork together toreduce injuries, ill-nesses and fatali-ties in our nation’smines.”

In Summer of 1981,the firstInternationalConference GroundControl in Mining(ICGCM) was heldin Morgantown,WV to provide aforum for academia,researchers, mineoperators, supportservice providers,equipment manu-

factures, and government regulators to promoteand advance the state-of-art in ground controlin mining. All but three conferences in the past25 years have been held in Morgantown. Morethan 5,000 attendees from all mining/mineralproducing states in the US and 30 foreign coun-tries have participated in the Conferences sinceestablished in 1981.

The conference proceedings exceeded morethan 1000 papers throughout the history of the

Conference. Theyhave boldly dealtwith and promotedmany innovativeideas from legal,exploration to sur-face and under-

ground mining. They have further introducedmany new ground control technologies to theindustry that have made mining both safer andmore productive. Some of which have becomeindustry standards today.

Aside from quality papers, presentations andpublications, the Conference also provides ameeting place for the exchange of informationrelated to the field of ground control, conceptdiscussion and debates, opportunity for transac-tion negotiation, and personal and professionalrelationship establishment and enhancement.

At the banquet, attendance awards for theattendees with 10, 10-14, 15-19 and more than20 years were presented in front of more than300 attendees this year. The Conference spon-sors were also recognized for their support ofvarious events. The companies and agenciessponsoring the Conference are: AgapitoAssociates, Inc., CONSOL Energy, Excel MiningSystems, Fasloc, Inc., J. H. Fletcher & Co.,Micon, Inc., Hilti Corporation, Mine Safety andHealth Administration, Minova USA, Inc., NIOSH(formerly USBM), West Virginia CoalAssociation, West Virginia University. (SeeAppreciation at ICGCM website: http://www.cemr.wvu.edu/~icgcm/)

Keynote speaker David G. Dye

Dr. Syd S. Peng, Chair of ICGCMOrganizing Committee

Dr. Syd Peng’s firstbook “LongwallMining” after hestepped down fromDepartment Chairlast September isnow available.Place the order at:

http://www2.cemr.

wvu.edu/~speng.

Or, call (304) 293-7680 X3301.

Celebrating 25 Years of the InternationalConference on Ground Control in Mining

Attending ICGCM more than 20 years, Daniel Su, Syd Peng, Chris Mark,Wahab Khair, Kelvin Wu, and Frank Chase.

The 25th ICGCM in progress

March 2007 Vol. 6, No.2

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WVU SME StudentChapter Won 2006 SME GEM AwardWVU Student Chapter received the 2006 SME GEM Award for2005 “Minerals for Kids Booth” at 14th Annual Gem, Mineral,and Fossil show. SME will be awarded $250 at the AnnualMeeting. The students and faculty who participated in the activi-ties were (Front row): Joe Zirkle, Anil Ray, Brandon Williamson,Morgan Sears, Patrick Pelley, Joshua Pigza, Matthew Vance:(Second row): Luke Morton, Joel Helbig, Dan Alexander, MatthewBonnell; (Third row): Brijes Mishra, Bryan Schwalm; (Fourth row):Syd Peng, Felicia Peng, Ryan Critchfield, John Cvechko. Notincluded in the photo, Nancy Dorset .

WVU SMESC Hosted “Minerals for Kids” Booth at Mont Chateau

For the fifth year officers and membersof West Virginia University’s SME stu-dent chapter staffed their “Minerals forKids” booth at the 15th Annual Gem,Mineral, and Fossil show on Sept. 23-24, 2006. WVU Mining Engineeringmajor, Ryan Critchfield and JohnCvechko, and grad student BrijesMishra, under the guidance of Dr. DanAlexander, coordinated this year’s booth.30 students and faculty participated inbringing minerals to kids.

The booth teaches children and theirfamilies about ten different mineralsused daily, often without realizing it.There is a station for each mineral atwhich a student explains where the min-eral comes from and what it is used forusing props, such as iron, cereal, soap,toothpaste, kitty litter, and chewing gumto show common items that are madefrom minerals. John Cvechko says, “Thevisitors were very interested in the dis-play which matched the minerals to theprops. They did not realize there wereso many uses for minerals in our dailylives. We even had Channel 12 TV inter-view us this year for the evening news.”Gaetano Iannacchione adds, “The littlekids make faces when we tell themthere is limestone in chewing gum andtoothpaste.”

For our West Virginia University SMEStudent Chapter members this event is agreat way to provide a community serv-ice. Morgan Sears, WVU SMESC presi-dent says, “The kids and their parentsdon’t know about the mining industry.We want to explain to them where com-mon things come from.” Children weregiven an information bag filled withpencils, stickers, and booklets as wellas their own mineral kit to take home.The show was held at the WVGeological Center, Mont Chateau, CheatLake, WV. Society of Mining, Metallurgy& Exploration, Pittsburgh and CentralAppalachian Sections supplied the min-eral kits.Children have fun at “Mineral for Kids” Booth, Mont Chateau,

Morgantown, WV.

to allow for maximum production, in badroof conditions that requires difficultbolting, steep grades, methane andseam splits. In order to efficiently dilutethe methane gas a fan pushes roughly410,000 cfm of fresh air into the mine.Primary roof support is provided by fullygrouted eight-foot roof bolts using twosets of mobile roof supports.

(Crystal Mine, Page 8)

365 Mineral Resources BuildingDepartment of Mining EngineeringCollege of Engineering and Mineral ResourcesWest Virginia UniversityPO Box 6070Morgantown, WV 26506-6070

wvBLACK DIAMONDS

wvBLACK DIAMONDSNon-Profit

OrganizationUS Postage

PAIDMorgantown, WV

Permit No. 34

INING ENGINEEditors: Faculty and staffDepartment of Mining Engineering, WVU(304) 293-7680 Everything starts with mining!

WE’RE ON THE WEB!http://www.mine.cemr.wvu.edu/

Dear Alumni and Friends: As I prepare my first Chair’s Message to you, I can’t begin to tell you howexcited I am to be at WVU and to be working with all of you as we furtherenhance the quality and visibility of this respected academic program.During my first months on the job, I have been busy learning the College’sand University’s administrative policies and procedures, while re-establish-ing old relationships and establishing new ones. However, I would like toshare with you several observations which I find significant and of whichyou should be justifiably proud.

At the outset, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to membersof the Department’s faculty and staff in making my transition to WVU sosmooth. Although I have known several of these individuals for manyyears, there is always some concern when one leaves one place ofemployment for another. From my perspective, the support shown to me byeveryone has been better than I could have imagined. I also would like totake this opportunity to acknowledge Syd Peng’s leadership for nearly 30years. Further, the advice and support provided to me by Dean GeneCilento, the College administration and staff, and other College depart-ment chairs has been greatly appreciated.

Next, I want you to know how impressed I am with our students. We haveapproximately 60 undergraduate and 20 graduate students. In my positionas Department Chair, I currently advise all of the undergraduates, so I amtrying my best to get to know everyone on an academic, as well as a per-sonal, basis. Even though one of my goals is to further increase the num-ber of students we educate, I am glad that we have a quality student bodythat will set a positive example for future students, and that will be asource of pride for our alumni and friends.

I recently had to prepare the Board of Governor’s Reports on our B.S.,M.S., and Ph.D. programs. Writing these assessment reports provided mewith an opportunity to evaluate the quality of our academic programs.Again, I am very pleased with the results of my review, and I look forwardto building upon this foundation. Also, the awards and recognitionsreceived by our faculty members, as described in this edition of “BlackDiamonds,” further underscore the quality and commitment of theDepartment of Mining Engineering to teaching, research, and service.

I look forward to working with each and every one of you in the comingyears as the Department of Mining Engineering continues to address thestate, regional, and national challenges to the energy and minerals indus-tries.

Chair’s Message

“If it can’t be grown, it must be mined.”