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From the Department of Engineering College of Engineering and Mineral Resources University

For the latest, visit our website at June 2005 Get a MinE sticker; put it on your hardhat. Volume 5, Issue 1 http://www.mine.cemr.wvu.edu James Roberts, Poundstone Lecture, Spring 2005 Coal Goes Public

n April 21st, James F. Rob- of CoalARBED Inter- ter for Energy and Economic O erts, President and CEO of national Trading Development, and a member of Foundation Coal Holdings, Inc., from 1981 to 1999, the executive committee of the headquartered in Linthicum chief financial officer National Coal Council. Heights, , presented of Leckie Smokeless During Jim Roberts’ tenure the Spring Poundstone Lecture Coal Company from at Foundation Coal and its entitled, “Coal Goes Public”. 1977 to 1981 and predecessor RAG American, the Mr. Roberts is a native of Penn- vice president of company’s management team sylvania and graduated from Finance at Solar has been very proactive and Penn State with a degree in Fuel Company from forward-looking. In particular, Business Administration. In his 1974 to 1977. the Mining Engineering Depart- career, he has held various Also, Mr. Rob- ment (MinE) at West Virginia positions with increasingly more erts has been an University (WVU) has received responsibility at several coal active leader in the continuous and consistent re- companies. national mining in- search support through his From 1999-2004, Mr. Rob- dustry. He is the company’s sponsorship of nu- erts was President and CEO of vice chairman of the merous cooperative research RAG American Coal Holdings, National Mining projects which have led to many Inc. (the predecessor to Foun- James Roberts, President and CEO of Association (NMA), a mining innovations and have dation Coal). Prior to joining Foundation Coal, Inc. director of the Cen- (See Roberts, Page 2) RAG, Mr. Roberts was president Department Strategic Plan for the Next MAJOR STORIES 10 Years Finalized

he Department strategetic in the Spring 2005 Visiting eral major coal companies and • J. Roberts Presented Poundstone plan was one of the major Committee Meeting on April 22. projected the demand for mining Lecture T topics reviewed and finalized The Committee surveyed sev- (See Visiting Committee, Page 6) • Visiting Committee Finalized Department Strategic Plan

• W. Poundstone elected to WV Coal Hall of Fame

• Watts Museum Dedication

• Alumni Feature Articles & News

• Several Notable Awards

• SMESC Activities and Field Trips Attending the Meeting were (left to right): John Murphy (Chair), University of Pittsburgh, Jeff Wilson, • SME Activities and Longwall USA James River Coal, Marshall Miller, Marshall Miller and Associates, Barry Dangerfield, PinnOak Re- sources, Syd Peng, WVU, Ben Statler, PinnOak Resources, Stan Suboleski, Federal Health & Safety • MinE Recruiting Program Review Commission, Jim Laurita, MepCo Inc., Jeff Kelley, Alcon, and Scott Pack, Foundation Coal. Volume 5, Issue 1, Spring 2005 Black Diamond Page 2 William N. Poundstone Inducted to the 8th WV Coal Hall of Fame

illiam N. Poundstone coal companies have become the W (BSEM ‘49) was inducted darlings of Wall Street investors. to the 8th West Virginia Coal Hall In regard to his personal of Fame at the Joint meeting of experience with the Initial Public WV Institute, SME Offering (IPO) of Foundation Coal, Central Appalachian Section, and Jim expounded upon the rigorous WV Coal Association on May 6, SEC requirements and the whirl- 2005 in Charleston, WV. wind roadshow to market the Mr. Poundstone received his company through 4 countries, 18 BS degree in Engineering of cities and 50 meetings in 10 Mines from West Virginia Univer- days. Also, he explained that the sity in 1949. He completed the management and paperwork Management Program for Execu- William Poundstone received WV Coal Hall of Fame plaque from demands continue after the IPO tives at the University of John “Jack” Katlic. (From left to right): John “Jack” Katlic, William with public reporting, disclosure (See Poundstone, Page 4) Poundstone, Muff Bobo and Kathy Poundstone. and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. At some point in the process, Mr. ing public in recent (Roberts from Page 1) Roberts finally noticed that: “he is years. In his presenta- helped create a successful no longer in the business of sell- tion, Jim showed how graduate program in the De- ing coal, but rather he is in the the stage was set for partment. In 1987, with support business of selling stock”. The public ownership with from Foundation Coal, MinE presentation was extremely infor- investment of coal own- worked with Cumberland Mine mative for the numerous stu- ership by oil, gas and on longwall shield design and dents, faculty and friends at the steel companies in the selection. MinE was the first to lecture including, WVU president, late 80s and then con- identify the superiority of 2-leg David Hardesty, Jr., CEMR Dean solidation of the large shields. Today, 2-leg shields are Gene Cilento, WV Coal Associa- “pure-play” coal compa- the standard in the interna- tion president, Bill Raney, former nies in the 90s. Most tional longwall mining industry. president of WVCMI, Gregory Pat- recently, with strength- For this effort WVU was recog- terson, and it was very well re- ening energy prices, ceived. The auditorium was filled nized by the Institute of Mining James Roberts Accepting Poundstone and strong growth and with record number of audience. and Metallurgy for the Overseas Lecture Series Crystal Plaque from MinE demand expectations, Award in 1992. Also, beginning Department Chair, Dr. Syd Peng. in 1985, the WVU MinE worked with Cumberland and Emerald Mines to analyze and predict surface subsidence due to long- wall mining. Since that time, the subsidence group at WVU has been the premier research and engineering location in the field of subsidence, and presently has the only active subsidence research group in the nation. The subsidence prediction model and mitigation tech- niques developed as a result of this cooperation have become industry standards and are routinely used by both regula- tors and coal companies. Mr. Roberts’s lecture sub- Management team of Foundation Coal, Inc. attending the Lecture (from Left to right, front): Scott Pack, ject, about taking a coal com- James Roberts, Heather Daugherty, Jinsheng Chen, Klaus Dieter Beck, Doug Conklin, Ed Zeglen, Mike pany public, is very timely with Mishra, Denny Hinkle, Bill Schloemer. (Back): Michael Peelish, Jim Bryja, John Dzurino, Rod Lawrence, many U.S. coal companies go- Robbie Robinson, Mark Schuerger, Kurt Kost, George Allekotte, Dale Birchfield, Mike Ross, Jeff Kukura. Volume 5, Issue 1, Spring 2005 Black Diamond Page 3

by Melissa Soave, As- Royce and Caroline Watts Museum Dedication sistant Director, Devel- opment, CEMR, WVU. est Virginia University’s W (WVU) COMER Museum, mining and petroleum industries. housed in the College of Engi- The current collection continues neering and Mineral Resources to grow. (CEMR) has been renamed for Recently endowed by gifts two individuals who have tire- from the West Virginia Coal Mining lessly supported its mission. Institute (WVCMI), the Watts fam- The Royce J. Watts and Caroline ily, and alumni and friends of WVU Watts Museum was dedicated Mineral Resources, the new name on April 21, 2005. Mr. Watts is came at the request of the WVCMI the Associate Dean of Admini- to recognize the Watts’ unwaver- stration for CEMR, and he, ing support. At the dedication along with his wife Caroline, has ceremony, 100 former colleagues, given both financial support friends, and family members at- and other resources on behalf (From left to right): Royce Watts, David Hardesty, Jr., J. R. Watts, tended a dedication ceremony of the museum for more than Bill Raney, Dean Gene Cilento, Caroline Watts (front) Gregory held at Mineral Resources Build- two decades. Patterson, and Bill Wolf at Royce and Caroline Watts Museum ing, Evansdale Campus. WVU Since 1930, the museum Dedication. President David C. Hardesty Jr.; has served to preserve and Dean Eugene Cilento; Immediate of tangible objects relevant to Mines in 1930. Through the promote the social, cultural and Past President of the WVCMI Greg- the industries. Although the years a few items have been technological history of the ory E. Patterson; and William B. construction of the museum purchased, but the vast ma- coal, oil and gas industries of Raney, president of the West Vir- was approved in 1986, artifacts jorities were donated by the State of West Virginia ginia Coal Association all gave were being collected prior to the alumni, mining and petroleum through the collection, preser- remarks. vation, research, and exhibition establishments of the School of companies and friends of the and faculty in min- at each of those schools from ing engineering Syd Peng Received The Old Timers Club which the coal industry draws its schools across the engineers. To date, the Old Tim- country. It was Faculty Award ers Club has presented an award founded in 1938 to 590 outstanding mining engi- r. Syd S. Peng received the 2004- when a few industry neering students in 20 universi- 2005 Old Timers Club Faculty Award leaders met to im- D ties, including 50 at WVU. In at the King Coal Club/the Old Timer Club prove the tech- 1995, the club also began pre- niques of mining Joint Annual Meeting, the Greenbrier, WV senting an annual faculty award, coal. In 1948, it on June 17, 2005. This award has been to recognize an outstanding fac- began its tradition established to annually recognize an out- ulty member who has been an of awarding an old standing faculty member who has been inspiration to students and has timer watch to the an inspiration to students and has de- devoted his career to the develop- outstanding senior voted his career to the development of ment of mining engineers. mining engineers.

Dr. Syd Peng Received the Old Timers Club Award from Dr. Stan Suboleski (Source: Courtesy of Bill Reid, Coal News).

THE OLD TIMERS Attending the 2005 Emeritus Club Luncheon was (from CLUB left to right, back row): Edmund Bookman Jr. (BSEM '52), James Bloom (BSEM,'51), Dr. Jay H. Kelley, Dean, A fly fishing lesson from the Pro (from left he Old Timers Club is a small COMER 1970-1979; (front row): Nick Oliver (BSEE’49), to right): Doug Hardman, George Desko T group of coal-industry execu- Richard Lee (BSEM '47), Malcolm Magnuson (BSEM '50) (caught a trout!), and Syd Peng at the tives whose main purpose is to at CEMR Emeritus Luncheon at The Pine Country Club, Greenbrier on June 18, 2005. recognize outstanding students Morgantown, WV on April 29, 2005. Volume 5, Issue 1, Spring 2005 Black Diamond Page 4

THE WEST VIRGINIA COAL able changes since this state- ment was made in 1908. How- Alumni MINING INSTITUTE (WVCMI) ever, the original objectives of the founders of the Institute are NEWS he West Virginia Coal Min- lished the mission of the Insti- still valid today, 97 years after the first meeting of the West T ing Institute was estab- tute when it stated that: • Eric Anderson (BSMinE ‘96) is lished in early 1908 as a pro- "Recognizing the advan- Virginia Coal Mining Institute. In general manager, Warrior Coal. fessional organization to en- tages to be derived from organi- this regard, the Institute holds He resides in Madisonvile, KY. hance the social and profes- zation and in order to two technical/social meetings • Richard Begley (PhDMinE ‘90) sional growth of those persons advance the coal industry each year for its members and was recently featured in a news engaged in the mining industry. within the State of West Vir- those "connected with mining". article. As co-investigator he The original Constitution de- ginia, to encourage education in Over the past 97 years, un- developed and received a pat- fined "persons engaged in the practical and scientific mining, counted thousands have re- ent for a new kind of long life mining industry" as "any citizen to promote study and research ceived professional education light bulb. of the who is ei- into mining problems, and to through the efforts of the Insti- ther a Coal Operator, Manager, benefit our mutual interests, tute and the West Virginia Coal • Thomas Barczak (MSMinE ‘05) Superintendent or Engineer, or this institute is organized." Mining Institute remains a ma- is Mining Engineer at National any other person practically The social, cultural and jor provider of professional edu- Institute of Safety and Health connected with mining." The technological history of coal cation for the mining industry in (NOISH), Pittsburgh Research Constitution of 1908 estab- mining has undergone unbeliev- West Virginia and the region. Laboratory, Pittsburgh, PA. • Jinshen Chen (PhDMinE ‘97) (Poundstone from Page 2) ating properties. In 1972 he Congratulations resigned recently from Founda- Pittsburgh in 1960. His illustri- served as a Director of CONSOL tion Coal and joined Asian ous career spanned over 35 as well as a Director of Muff Bobo and Bill America Coal as Vice President years of professional engineer- CONOCO Coal Development Poundstone Business Development in Bei- ing, managerial and executive Co., Consolidation Coal Co. of jing, China. He is responsible experience in the coal mining Canada, and Fairmont Supply for development of new mine and related mining industries. Company. He also served as projects. His knowledge of the industry is President of the Harmar Coal • Raymond G. DuBois (BSEM evidenced by many contribu- Company. He retired in 1982 ’79), President and General tions to the mining industry, Mr. Poundstone's profes- manager of Traper Mining, Inc. particularly in the field of con- sional accomplishments are was recently elected Chair - tinuous mining machines, coal exemplary. He was instrumen- man of Colorado Mining Asso transportation devices and de- tal in the development and ciation. gasification of coal seams. application of the modem day • John A. Goroncy (BSEM ’75) is Mr. Poundstone began his borer miner. He patented and Manager-Engineering, Eighty- mining career at the Arkwright had built a sensor controlled Four Mine, CONSOL Energy, Mine of the Christopher Coal long hole drill that could be Eighty-Four, PA. Co. in 1948 as a timber man. used to drain methane ahead n February 19, 2005, Muff • Yonglian Sun (PhDMinE ‘91) is Following graduation from WVU, of mining. Bill also built the first O Bobo and Bill Poundstone Managing Director, SRK Con- he worked for Christopher Coal bulk rock duster. He also led a were united in marriage at the sulting China, Beijing, China. Co. as a Production Engineer, large research project to design First Presbyterian Church of Dr. Sun was the first graduate Section Foreman, Belt Foreman and built the first underground Tequesta, FL. Please join us in whose PhD program was jointly and Preparation Engineer from coarse coal slurry pipeline. This congratulating Muff and Bill on sponsored and administered by 1947 to 1955. In 1955 he was design was to provide continu- their marriage, and join us in the Department of Mining Engi- named Superintendent respon- ous transportation of run-of- wishing them a very happy life neering, WVU and China Univer- sible for opening the Humphrey mine coal from the mining ma- together. sity of Mining Technology, Mine. From 1960 to 1961, he chine to the coal preparation China. served as the General Superin- plant. He is the holder of 34 guished Member (1979), and (See Alumni News, Page 5) tendent of the Arkwright, Osage U.S. Patents. He has authored receiving AIME Erskin Ramsey and Booth Mines. Bill served as a number of technical publica- Medal (1980), Honorary Doctor Award (1984). the Assistant to the Vice Presi- tions. Mr. Poundstone's profes- of Science Degree from West Mr. Poundstone has three dent of Operations for Consoli- sional achievements have led Virginia University (1981) and children. Kathy, Scott and Wil- dation Coal Co. 1961-1965. to numerous honors, including the College of Mineral and En- liam, Jr. Bill and his wife, Muff In 1965 Bill was promoted membership in the National ergy Resources Outstanding Bobo, live in Palm Beach Gar- to the position of Executive Vice Academy of Engineering Alumni Award (1991), the Engi- dens, Florida and Pittsburgh, PA. President and was placed in (1977), AIME Percy Nicholls neering Society of Western CONSOL established in 1983 charge of all of CONSOL's oper- Award (1979), AIME Distin- Pennsylvania, William Metcalf (See Poundstone, Page 6) Volume 5, Issue 1, Spring 2005 Black Diamond Page 5 2005 Mineral Resources Student Recognition Banquet ineral Resources Students representatives came to pre- M Recognition Award Banquet sent the awards to the students was held at Lakeview Resort and and faculty in Mining Engineer- Conference Center on April 10, ing and Petroleum & Natural 2005. Several mining and min- Gas Engineering, and Mineral eral industry, MRAC and CEMR Resources alumni. Kevin Rakes received MRAC Joe Zirkle Jackie Toombs received Career in Award from Bill Wolf. received Coal Award from James Simpson. the Old Timers Award

(and Faculty award) from Dr. Keith Heasley received Ronald Stovash. SMESC Award from Kevin Rakes.

James Dean received SMESC Ben Worley received Joy Ma- Officers Award from Kevin chinery Scholarship from Kirby Rakes. Owen.

(Alumni News from Page 4) • Bo Yu (PhDMinE ‘05) is Mining • Jackie Toombs (BSMinE Engineer with Agapito Associ- Samantha Stahle received MinE Lucas O’Neal received WVCMI ‘05) is Mining Engineer at ate, Inc. at Grand Junction, CO. Faculty Award from Dan Alexan- Award from Gregory Patter- Rivers Edge Mine, 50 miles (See Alumni News, Page 12) der. son. southwest of Charleston, WV, Eastern Associated Coal, Peabody Energy. Making A Gift to the • David Trader (BSEM ‘81) Department moved to Bluestone Coal as underground engineer in Thinking of making a gift to Key stone, WV. Bluestone benefit our Department in your produces more than 1 mil- will, living trust, IRA, or other Jisheng Han received MinE Rebecca Hardy received MinE lion tons of coal annually manner? If so, the proper Faculty Award from Dan Alexan- Faculty Award from Dan Alex- employing the room and wording is very important to der. ander. pillar mining method. ensure that your gift works out • Jeffrey Wilson (BSEM ‘81) the way you intended. 2004-2005 SME Student Chapter Compe- is Vice-President Business Have your attorney include a Development, James River provision directed "to the West tition, WVU Received 3rd Runner-up Coal Co. in Richmond, VA. Virginia University Foundation, He recently re-joined the Inc. (i.d. #55-6017181) to MinE Department Visiting benefit the Department of Mining Committee. Engineering in the College of • Bob Yunkai Xia (PhDMinE Engineering and Mineral ‘05) is process engineer Resources." Your gift provision with Sedgman, Inc. at Pitts- can provide for the creation of an burgh, PA. opportunity fund, a faculty development fund, a scholarship Bill Maloney — whatever you choose. It will received Citi- SME Student Chapter Offi- help us in an important way to zen Award from cers Elected for 2005-2006 further our educational, research Morgantown President—Lucas O’Neal SME Student Chapter Officers of 2004-2005 and service mission. City Commis- Vice-President—Michael Mullins were: (from left to right) Samantha Stahle If you would like further sioners, Fall Secretary—Bryan Schwalm (Secretary), Eric Lilly (program), Kevin Rakes assistance with your gift plans, 2004. Bill is Treasurer—Brandon Williamson (President), Jackie Toombs (GEM Coordinator), call Bob Bragg, CEMR at (304) also Industrial Program—Jonathan Gordon Lucas O’Neal (Vice-President), and Brandon 293-4821 Ext 2240, or Syd Advisor to GEM Coordinator—Morgan Williamson (Treasurer) (not in photo). Peng, Department Chair at (304) SMESC. Sears 293-7680 Ext 3301. Volume 5 Issue 1, Spring 2005 Black Diamond Page 6

LOOKING BACK TO THE SCHOOL OF MINES by Fred R. Toothman BSEM ‘41 arrived at Entry B of the Boys Mining students take I Dorm at WVU in the fall of classes in general engineering 1936. The Great Depression subjects along side student's in was still prevalent and I had the other departments. obtained a job waiting tables in "Cueball" White was a thorough the girl's dorm and had worked and good drawing teacher. surveying in the mines with my "Step and a Half” Nelson had father to pay tuition. Coming an old injury and taught survey- interrupted by becoming an from a small high school, I was ing. He left us alone during quiz- officer in the Navy and service poorly prepared to make pass- zes but admonished tobacco in the South Pacific. I received a ing grades while some other chewers to spit out the window. Letter of Commendation for students were merely repeating Carl Cather was called "Big" and being a part of a marine recon- courses from prep school or top his brother "Little" Cather. Big naissance mission and invasion rated high schools. Cather's favorite expression of New Georgia Islands in The School of Mines lo- was "take moments around 1943. cated in the old Engine building women's hall." I graduated in the top three Fred Toothman next to the drill field was By the second year I was of sixty man class of junior offi- headed by Dr. C.E. Lawall, a fine on a roll and able to keep up questions. I later learned to ap- cers at the PG School in Anna- Christian gentleman and excel- with all of my peers, I was pro- preciate the fact that his admoni- polis for weather forecasters, lent teacher. The only other moted to headwaiter at the tion, "Ain't that hell" forced us to which seemed to vindicate the mining teacher was Professor girl's dorm. I also received tui- become self reliant in learning. quality of my degree from WVU. William Staub whom the stu- tion for playing the clarinet in His standard salutation was, Upon my return to WVU, I dents called "Willie the Rat" the ROTC band. The junior year "What's on your mind besides completed the Masters degree because of his tough teaching was special by my election to hair". and took a job in the Coal De- methods and refusal to answer Tau Beta Pi, the top engineering velopment Office of the C & 0 scholarship honor. Dr. Lawall Railway in Huntington. I ad- Mineral and Energy Resources was elevated to President and vanced to head of the office in OBITUARIES (COMER) at West Virginia Uni- Dennis McElroy became Direc- 1960 and retired as Assistant versity 1981-1984. Highlights tor of the School. My summers Vice President in 1980. During of his career include two terms were spent on temporary under- a 10 yr. term on the WVU Advi- George Fumich, Jr. , in the West Virginia House of ground jobs at different coal sory Board, my letter campaign Former COMER Dean Delegates, and awards for an- mines. to President Harlow saved the nual achievement, and lifetime After graduation in 1941, I autonomy of the School of achievement in coal research was given a scholarship to write Mines. Five books have been a thesis on the use of conveyors written and published as a from the Washington Coal Club. Fumich was cited with three in coal mines. This study was hobby in retirement. medals for service above and (Visiting Committee from Page beyond the call of duty in World ing program. Foundation Coal and 1) War II. the other companies represented engineers and topical training on the Committee also volun- need for the next 10 years. In teered to help with high school Harold Evans Crickmer response to those needs the contacts at locations where they We are saddened to report to strategic plan covers student operate. you that our former COMER Harold Evans Crickmer, age 80 enrollment and recruiting, and Finally the Committee inter- Dean George Fumich, Jr., died of Tazewell, VA died Thursday, the resources required includ- viewed MinE students seeking of a heart attack on April 6, July 22, 2004 at Bristol Re- ing faculty and their areas of feedback regarding MinE curricu- 2005, at his residence in Arling- gional Medical Center, Bristol, expertise, supporting staff, as lum over lunch. ton, VA. He was 87 years old. TN. Born June 20, 1924 in well as funding. Dean Fumich was the first Mcalpin, WV. He attended Con- The other subject reviewed (Poundstone from Page 4) Assistant Secretary for Fossil cord College and graduated was student recruiting plan. the William N. Poundstone Lec- Energy and was appointed by from West Virginia University After having listened to Bill tureship endowment in his honor. President Jimmy Carter. Prior to with a Bachelor Degree in Engi- Ryan's (the Department special With this fund Mining Engineering his appointment, Fumich served neering of Mines. He had recruiter) report on the 2004- Department launched the Pound- as the Director of the Office of worked as a Mining Engineer 2005 recruiting update and stone Lecture Series in 2000 Coal Research and Acting Assis- and had retired as a Vice- plan for the 2005-2006 recruit- honoring industry leaders and tant Secretary for Fossil Energy. President from Pittston Coal ing year, the Committee gave its distinguished alumni. He was Dean of the College of Group. blessing to continue the recruit- Volume 5, Issue 1, Spring 2005 Black Diamond Page 7

by Jackie Toombs Mining Engineering: My Last Stop BSMinE ‘05 hen I first arrived at West W Virginia University I was Having to think on my feet was longwall plow mine, as well as undecided which direction I what I needed. mines in UT and CO. I have wanted to go. I knew that I My first mining class was learned that every mine is differ- wanted to be an engineer but I Surface Mining. All of the stu- ent and people do things differ- did not know which kind. I dents in the class had mining ently. started off in Aerospace and classes before, but I did not I have seen the different Mechanical Engineering dual know what to think. I felt like I mines and talked with various degree program. I soon found out was lost and everyone knew people within the industry, as well planes, robotics, etc. was not my 1000 times more than I did. I as worked summer jobs in the thing. The next discipline I tried Jackie Tooms soon learned that did not mat- mines. I have also learned valu- was Civil Engineering. This was ter. I worked hard and asked a able information from industry something I was more interested ested in his stories, but I never lot of questions. The professors leaders. All of which have en- in. I liked designing buildings, gave it much thought as a ca- would help me anytime I came hanced my knowledge of such a and other structures. However, it reer. I read about some of the to them with a question and I vast profession. In this profession was like many other engineering different aspects of mining as made it through the class with you have to keep up with new majors, almost routine. I needed well as where some of the an A. technologies and methods. I feel something that would force me graduates were working and There is so much more to that my time here at WVU has to think on my feet, and chal- doing. I was intrigued and learn, such as, Underground prepared me for a career in this lenge me everyday. I knew that if wanted to know more. I made Methods, Safety, Management, challenging field. I am extremely I was going to last 30 years in a my way to see the Department Coal Preparation, Economics satisfied with the education and career I needed to have a career Chair of Mining Engineering. Dr. and more. Then when you have experience that I have received where I never knew what to ex- Peng talked with me about how finished what you have learned, from the University, and espe- pect from day to day. the environment changes fre- you piece them together into cially the Mining Engineering De- One day while I was walking quently in a mine and how as your Senior Design Project. partment. Finally, I would like to down the hallway in the Engineer- an engineer you have to be able That is when I realized how thank all of the faculty and staff ing Science Building when a dis- to adapt to these changes. After much I had really learned. The of the Mining Department. You play caught my eye, “$2,000 talking with Dr. Peng I knew Department does a great job in all have made my college experi- Scholarship Guaranteed.” It was that Mining Engineering was for helping us to learn outside of ence wonderful and helped me in the Mining Engineering display me. After all, not knowing what the classroom. I have many so many ways. I consider you all case. My grandfather had worked to expect when I walked into trips to various mines, including to be my friends, so thank you in the mines, and I was inter- work was what I was looking for. this country’s only operating again.

Field Trip to a Drift Mine, Selah #1 Mine, students and professors (see Calendar of Events photo left) visited the Selah #1 Campbell Creek, WV mine along Campbell Creek in Spring, 2005 efore Kanawah Valley Coal Coal Mining Institute Joint Annual Kanawha County, WV on April 7, 2005. This is a drift mine pro- B Association and Charleston Meeting, a group of WVU MinE Feb 28-Mar 2 SME Annual Meet- ducing from the Stockton seam ing and Exhibits, Salt Lake City, using two continuous miner UT with MRAC Reception. sections for room-and-pillar April 10 Mineral Resources development and pillar extrac- Award Banquet, Lakeview Resort tion with mobile roof supports. & Conference Center, Morgan- Danny Robinette, the superin- town, WV. tendent and father of a former April 21 William Poundstone WVU football star, explained the Lecture, and COMER Museum mining operations to the Group. dedication, Mineral Resources Then, the group traveled under- Building, Morgantown, WV. ground to the working sections April 22 MinE Dept Visiting Com- where they were able to witness mittee 2005 Spring Meeting, the coal cutting, loading, roof Morgantown, WV. bolting, etc. Department cer- May 5-7 WVCMI and WVCA Joint (From left to right, front row): Jonathan Gordon, Jackie Toombs, Dr. tainly appreciates Selah #1 Meeting, Marriott Hotel, Charles- Keith Heasley, Nancy Dorset, Lucas O’Neal, Dr. Wahab Khair; (back Mine for graciously opening ton, WV. row): Kevin Brocket, Cade Mason, Daniel Ryan, Kevin Rakes, Byan their mine to (See Selah #1 May 15 WVU Commencement. Schwalm, Samantha Stahle, Brandon Williamson, Michael Moton, Mine, Page 12) Ben Worley. Morgantown, WV. Volume 5, Issue 1, Spring 2005 Black Diamond Page 8

David Carris, Guest Speaker for SME Student Chapter Seminar

As part of SME Student Chap- ter’s activities, guest speakers are invited to present their experiences in their profes- sion and specialized fields. We were very pleased to have Mr. David M. Carris present (Left to right): Dr. Keith Heasley, “Matching Plant Design to Jinsheng Han, Jun Lu, and Seam Characteristics” on April Zhengxing Gu. David M. Carris 14, 2005. He has 40 years of Coal Preparation Design ex- Some students attending the Semi- periences. Mr. Carris is Execu- nars were (left to right): Eric Lilly, Foundation Coal, Inc., Cumberland tive Associate with J. T. Boyd Ryan Critchfield, Morgan Sears, Co., Mining and Geological Takashi Sasaoka, Jonathan Mine Coal Preparation Plant Visited Consulting Co. Gordon. inE Students in M Coal Preparation Trip to DBT America’s Manufactur- Class and graduate ing Facilities in Houston, PA. students visited Founda- tion Coal Inc., Cumber- On February 10th, 2005, 14 stage loader for the new Emer- land Mine Coal Prepara- students from Longwall Mining ald Mine longwall face. After tion Plant in Kirby, PA on class went on a field trip to DBT the tour of the plant floor, Al May 1, 2005. The Plant America’s manufacturing facili- Hefferan, the VP of manufactur- has 1,800 TPH capacity, ties in Houston, PA. DBT is a ing, explained the current capa- using dense-medium worldwide supplier of longwall bilities of DBT equipment and vessel, dense-medium (Form left to right): Ben Worley, Lucas and continuous mining equip- the future design directions for cyclones, spiral concen- O’Neal, Jonathan Gordon, Paul Brady, ment and employs approxi- longwall equipment. Also, Mr. trators, and froth flota- Zhenxing Gu, Hongyan Sun, Poalo Boz- mately 300 people at the Hous- Hefferan supplied the group tion cells. The purposes zaato, and Samantha Stahle, while Paul ton facilities. with several spreadsheets for of the visit was to ac- Brady was explaining the coal cleaning Initially, Craig Rumbaugh, helping designing AFCs and quaint MinE students circuits in the Plant. the plant manager, escorted the longwall shields. The trip was with coal cleaning circuit group through the manufactur- very educational for the stu- layout in the Plant. Paul used in each circuit. The Department ing sub-assembly bays. The dents and DBT America’s hospi- Brady, Mining Engineer, appreciates Paul Brady, and Charles highlight of the tour was a tality is greatly appreciated. explained the functions Barnheart, Plant and Surface Facilities nearly completed 145 ft long of major unit operation Manager for hosting the visit.

(From left to right) Dr. Keith Heasley, Dr. Wahab Khair, Bryan (From left to right): Zhengxing Gu, Hongyan Sun, Ben Worley, Bran- Schwalm, Lucas O’Neal, Brandon Williamson, Joe Zirkle, Cade Ma- don Williamson, Samantha Stahle, Eric Lilly, Jonathan Gordon (in son, Ben Worley, Michael Moton, Kevin Rakes, Craig Rumbaugh, front of Eric), Bryan Schwalm, Paul Brady, Poalo Bozzato, Jason Pen- Plant Manager. nybaker, Lucas O’Neal. Volume 5, Issue 1, Spring 2005 Black Diamond Page 9

Studying Mining Engineering Was Time Well Spent by Christian Warfield BSMinE ‘05 first came into the Mining able to see many underground I Engineering Department not and surface mines in the West ple who were willing to help me having any background experi- Virginia area and even mines in with any problems I might have. ence concerning coal mining or Pennsylvania and Utah. The The classrooms were small which any other kind of mining. I SME trips to Cincinnati, Las provided an easier learning envi- started studying Industrial Engi- Vegas, Salt Lake City and even ronment for me. I learned a great neering until I realized the great the Greenbrier, White Suphur deal from being around my pro- rewards the Mining Engineering Spring in southern West Virginia fessors and my fellow students Department offered. My room- were fascinating social events who will always be my life long mate at the time, Brad Zimmer- where I could meet mining stu- friends. After 5 long, strenuous man (BSMinE ‘03), was a senior dents from other schools and years of staying up late studying in Mining Engineering, when he professionals in the field of for exams, I am now ready to explained to me how I could get mining. The greatest experience experience the work force in the in-state tuition (because I am a has to be my first mining job. I real world. I am taking a full time Maryland Resident), and a worked for Consol Energy dur- Christian Warfield at the Utah job with Consol Energy where I $2,000 scholarship just for ing my junior and senior sum- site of his senior design project. will use the knowledge that I have joining. Once I heard this, it mers as an underground mining received from my education from wasn't long before I too became Co-op. The Mining Engineering Engineering because faculty in the Department of Mining Engi- a Mining Engineering student. Department found me this job the Department are wonderful, neering, West Virginia University. My first two years in the with no problem; all I had to do intelligent and enthusiastic peo- Department, I have to admit, was take a 5 minute interview. I was clueless on what mining received hands on experience was. Most of the students have with what goes on as an under- Senior Design Project Chose to Study or had family members in the ground worker and got paid SUFCO Mine, Salina, Utah mining industry and at least almost 3 times as much as a understood a little bit of what regular minimum wage job. I couple of seniors, Cade Christian grilled Mark Bunnell (the was going on. I decided to stick loved every minute of my sum- A Mason and Christian War- geologist who arranged the meet- with it and I am very glad that I mer earnings which helped my field, in the Mining Engineering ing), Kendal Hale (the mine man- did. I began understanding and mother and myself with my Department chose a Utah coal ager), Jeff Jorgenson (the mine learning more each day be- schooling. property for their senior design electrical engineer) and others cause mining is interesting and I am proud to be graduat- project. They had very little about the operating conditions the field trips were great. I was ing with a B.S. degree in Mining personal experience with west- and practices at the SUFCO Mine. ern mining idiosyncrasies. They The topics of: geology, ground arranged to visit the SUFCO control, longwall equipment, con- Investigation of Multiple-seam Mining Ef- Coal Mine, UT (which is adja- tinuous mining equipment, belts, fect, Coalburg Mine, Kanawha Eagle Coal cent to their chosen property). power, water, permitting, person- SUFCO Coal Mine is wholly nel, work schedule, coal transpor- Co., Comfort , WV, February, 2005 owned by Arch Coal and lo- tation, etc. were all thoroughly cated 200 km south of Salt discussed. In this one visit, the Lake City. Therefore, on March seniors were able to acquire a 2nd, Cade and Christian, ac- wealth of information for use in companied by Dr. Keith Heasley their senior design project, and and graduate student Quanxi are deeply indebted to the hospi- Wang, visited with the engi- tality and knowledge shared by neers and geologists at the the SUFCO personnel. SUFCO Mine Office. Cade and

Watts Heasley Arnold

(Left to right:) Jishen Han, Graduate Assistant, Dr. Yunqing Zhang, Coal & Energy Division Meeting, Odell Hensely, General Manager, Dr. Syd Peng, Bob Ellis (BSEM, ‘88 2005 SME Annual Meeting, Salt ), VP-Operations, Julio Asebes, Mine Superintendent. Lake City, UT Volume 5, Issue 1, Spring 2005 Black Diamond Page 10

WVU 136th Commencement May 15, 2005 VU’s 136th Commencement W was on Sunday, May 15, 2005 at the Coliseum. The Com- mencement address was given by Joe Manchin III, Governor, State of West Virginia. Mining Engineering Programs graduated seven BSMinE, two MSMinE and two PhDMinE. Yunkai Xia and Bo Yu received PhDMinE, Olayemi Olumide Akinkugbe and Thomas M. Barczak received MSMinE, and Gregory G. Boyce, Justin David Bushneck, Matthew R. Jordan, Cade A. Mason, Jackie L. Toombs, III, Christian K. Warfield and Joseh R. Zirkle received BSMinE.

Attending the 2005 Commencement were (from left to right): Yunkai Xia (PhDMinE), Bo Yu (PhDMinE), Dr. Syd Peng, Thomas Barczak (MSMinE), Dr. Wahab Khair, Christian Warfield (BSMinE), Jackie Toombs (BSMinE), Dr. Felicia Peng. SME Field Trip to American Gilsonite LLC, Bonanza, UT

merican Gilsonite is the only mining methods. Gilsonite is a A gilsonite mine in the world. hydrocarbon and looks exactly WVU MinE graduate students and like coal. It is used for black professor visited the Mine on newspaper ink, making die March 5, 2005. Earl White, Vice- moulds, sealant in drilling flu- president of Operation, graciously ids, and asphalt. Gilsonite veins explained to the group about the are vertical dikes, 2-8 ft wide characteristics of gilsonite and and extend down to 1,100 ft

Dr. Syd Peng was invited to present a lecture on his life-long career on mining education and research at and received Visiting Profes- sorship from Henan Polytechnic University (HPU), Jiaozuo City, He- nan, China in May 2005. HPU is one of the premier coal mining institutes in China dating back to 1909. The photo above shows that Dr. Peng received the certificate of visiting professor in a spe- cial ceremony from Dr. Zou Youfeng, president of HPU. The banner at the background reads: Ceremony for Presenting the Certifi- cate of Visiting Professor to Dr. Syd S. Peng

deep where it is in direct contact tricity underground. Gilsonite is with Green River shale formation. mined by a pneumatic pick and There are five mines. Each the broken gilsonites ore is mine has 3 employees, one hoist pneumatically sucked up operator and two miners. Annual (vacuum) by a 12-in pipe all the production is 60,000 tons. Sale way to the bins on the surface. (From left to right): Zhengxing Gu, Dr. Takashi Sasaoka, Dr. price of Gilsonite is on average The Department would like to Yungqing Zhang, Earl White, Quanxi Wang, Dr. Syd Peng, Murali $280/ton. Gilsonite is very explo- express our thanks to American Gadde, Dr. Yi Luo, and Felicia Peng (not in photo), around the mine sive. It’s classified as a very gassy Gilsonite for their hospitality. car filled with Gilsonite at Bonanza, UT. mine. This is why there is no elec- Volume 5, Issue 1, Spring 2005 Black Diamond Page 11

SME Field Trip to Deserado Mine, Rangely, CO.

group of students and pro- and led the group to tour the un- Mine and Mill, Vernal, UT Visited A fessors from MinE, WVU derground mine. Bill Lepro also made a field trip to Deserado conducted the surface Coal group of WVU MinE stu- phosphate rock is extracted, the Mine on March 3, 2005. De- Preparation plant tour for the A dents and professor visited ore is hauled to the primary serado Mine is a captive mine group. The Coal Preparation plant Simplot Phosphates mining/ cone crusher, and then to the in Rangely, CO, that supplies is operated by 3 persons only. It’s milling operations on March 4, Mill via overland conveyor belt. coal to the 440 MW Bananza a jig plant. The Plant feed belt is 2005. Cassidy McCallister, Immediately following mine Power Plant. The plant requires equipped with an Ash Scan Ana- Chief Engineer, and Eric tour, Rollins Roberts, Metallurgi- only 2.1 million tons annually lyzer. If the ash is less than 10%, Schillie, General Manager fully cal Engineer and Leroy and thus this is what the mine the raw coal by-passes the Plant produces. Coals are transported without washing. The Department Simplot Phosphate Surface Worthen, Mill/ from coal preparation plant via appreciates Deserado Mine’s Mining Pipeline Superinten- a 3.5-mile long overland con- hospitality. dent led the group to veyor to the rail loadout facili- tour the grinding and flotation plant. SAG ties. The Company mill and ball mill are is mining sub- used for phosphate bituminous B Seam liberation. The pre- coal, 8 ft thick. pared slurry is then Currently the deliv- pumped to rougher ered product is and cleaner phos- 10% ash and 9,600 Btu/lb. explained the geology and phate flotation, ball milling, scaven- Al Hibbard, surface mining procedures ger phosphate flotation, and then Mine Manager, Bill of the phosphate rock carbonate flotation to produce phos- Lepro (BSEM ‘83), mine before setting out to phate concentrate. The froth flota- Sr. Mining Engi- observe drilling, surface tion is designed to remove silica, neer, Jeff Dubbert, mining and reclamation. carbonates and other mineral ox- Chief Engineer, and (From left to right): Bill Lepro, Dr. Syd Peng, The current ore reserve is ides. The concentrate contains P2O5 Tallerico, Safety Dr. Yunqing Zhang, Quanxi Wang, Murali divided into three zones, Director, hosted Gadde, and Dr. Wahab Khair. with a stripping ratio of 1.63 by volume. The pro- jected mine life is 24 years. The mine produces 4.2 million tons of phos- phate ore and 2.1 million tons of concentrate annu- ally. The ore contains on average 19% of P2O5 and is about 18 ft thick. After

(From left to right): Rollin Roberts, Dr. Wahab Khair, and Lucas O’Neal. (From left to right): Dan Alexander, Brandon Williamson, Jackie Toombs, and a mining engineer of Deserado Mine.

30.80%, MgO less than 0.8%, 10-in nominal size pipe and Fe2O3 less then 0.4%, and re- carries 325 tons of concen- maining being silica. The phos- trates with 58% solid, 18 hours phate concentrate is transported per day. The Department appre- (From left to right): Dr. Yunqing to Rock Spring, WY fertilizer plant ciates Simplot Phosphates’ Zhang, Zhengxing Gu, and SAG mill in Simplot Phosphate by the 96 mile long slurry pipeline hosting the mine and mill tours. Leroy Worthen. Plant . from Vernal, UT. The pipline is a Volume 5, Issue 1, Spring 2005 Black Diamond Page 12

ticipated and presented papers. Syd S. Peng Established Ground SME National Coal Show for the first time joined with Longwall Control in Mining Award USA to hold the regional meeting round control is the most ther publica- at Pittsburgh, PA. The programs G important element in mine tion or direct included Longwall USA, Coal Op- design. While there have been applications erators’ Forum, SME Coal & En- significant advances in the past in the mining ergy, and Electric Power–Coal few decades, there are still industry. Market Trends. Dr. Felicia Peng chaired and presented a paper in many problems yet to be re- Nomina- 2005 National Coal Show and “Environmental Issue” in Mining solved. The gap between theory tions are Longwall USA Conference and Session. Her paper (co-author and practice is still wide open. being re- Exhibit was held in Pittsburgh, with Fred Cornor, Peabody En- In 1981, Dr. Syd Peng founded ceived for the PA from June 7 to 9, 2005. ergy) titled “Processing Combined the conference series on 2006 award Several WVU MinE graduate Mine Drainages”. Ground Control in Mining to until August students and professors par- promote the field and to narrow this gap. He has also devoted 1, 2005. The award will be given his whole career toward this at the 2006 SME Annual Meeting, objective, using coal mines in St. Louis, MO., March 27-29, the United States and through- 2006. You are encouraged to out the world as his laborato- send 2-page nominations to ries. In spite of his life long ef- Stephen C. Tadolini at e-mail: fort, the gap remains. He estab- [email protected]. The award lished this award with the hope criteria and selection procedure of continuing and expanding are posted at SME website: this effort! Http://www.smenet.org/ The purpose of the award Click on |Award|SME Soci- is to provide recognition to indi- ety|Syd S. Peng Ground Con- viduals that have demonstrated trol in Mining Award|. technical and scientific excel- Or, lence in advancing the under- standing of ground control tech- http://www.smenet.org/SCRD nologies or approaches by ei- /SCRDAwards.cfm?BUID=0/ SME Foundation Reception 2005

(Left to right, Upper row): Nancy Dorset, Dr. Syd Peng, Qinghua Jin, Jisheng Han and Jun Lu. (Middle row): Brijes Mishra; Ryan Murray and Dr. Syd Peng; Matthew Petrovich and Olayemi Akinkugbe. (Lower row): David Tang; Ben Mirable, Engineer from Jennmar and Dan Alexander. John Murphy, President of SME Foundation, announced the es- tablishment of SME Foundation Syd S. Peng Ground Control in AIME SME-SPE Picnic at Krepp Park Mining Award. Let play ball!

(Alumni News from Page 5) (Selah #1 Mine from page 7) • Michael P. Zervos (BSEM ‘ 80) our future mining engineers, is president and CEO of United and also our appreciation goes Coal Co. He previously formed to Calvin Kidd / Continental Global Energy Management Conveyor for making the ar- LLC to pursue coal mining ac- rangements and sponsored quisition opportunities in Cen- the trip. tral Appalachia. Volume 5, Issue 1, Spring 2005 Black Diamond Page 13 2005 Annual SME Meeting and Exhibits, Salt Lake City, UT

SME 2005 Annual students and their families. The theme of Meeting was held at the display this year is, Salt Lake City, UT “COAL — TICKET TO ENERGY INDE- from February 28 to PENDENCE”. March 2, 2005. WVU The mine trips included visiting De- MinE undergraduate serado Mine at Rangely, CO; Simplot Phos- and graduate stu- phate Mine & Mill at Vernal, UT; Dinosaur dents, research asso- Monument at Vernal, UT; SUFCO Mine at ciates and professors Salina, UT; and America Gilsonite, Bonanza, participated and pre- UT. sented technical pa- pers. MinE Depart- ment also had a Joy and P&H Hospitality Event (from left to right, front): Dr. booth in the Exhibit Felicia Peng, Dr. Wahab Khair, Dr. Syd Peng, Royce Watts, Hall to provide a Dr. Yi Luo, Dr. Yunquing Zhang; (back) Lucas O’Neal, Chris- meeting place for tian Warfield, Cade Mason, Brandon Williamson, Murali alumni and friends. At Gadde, Quanxi Wang, Zhengxing Gu, and Jackie Toombs. the same time the booth displays the flyers about mining MRAC Reception 2005 engineering scholar- ships to potential 365 Mineral Resources Building Non-Profit The Department of Mining Engineering Organization College of Engineering and Mineral Resources U.S. Postage West Virginia University PAID PO Box 6070 Morgantown, WV 26506-6070

Alumni and Friends

Editors: Faculty and staff, MinE Department

Everything starts with mining!

W E ’ RE ON THE WEB! http://www.mine.cemr.wvu.edu/ Student Recruiting and Chair’s Message

Lab Demonstration Dear Alumni and Friends: the next decade. The 2004-2005 year was arious avenues are used for n April 23, 2005, the De- n the 2004-2005 academic also an exciting year for WVU’s V MinE Department student O partment of Mining Engi- I year, we had 11 graduates: 7 mining engineering program. With recruiting: 1) high school sen- neering opened its laboratory BS, 2 MS and 2 PhD. All except the help from WV Coal Associa- iors recruiting; 2) freshman doors to the engineering fresh- one went to work for coal and tion and loyal alumni and with the recruiting; 3) 2+2 and 4+1 men class. These lab tours were related industries, mostly in guidance of the newly-developed Plans with WVU Institute of designed to provide the fresh- West Virginia. We saw a very strategic plan, the WV Legislature Technology at Montgomery, WV; men engineering students with strong employment demand in had made a special appropriation and 4) distribution of scholar- a more in-depth view of the the coal and related industries. for Mining Engineering program. ship information via mining Mining Engineering Department The past year represented the We are excited about the opportu- companies. Initial plans for labs and as well as provide best year of employment for nity for growth. I will report in WVUIT student recruiting are to them with more information on graduates with advanced de- more detail in the spring 2006 offer underground mining and mining engineering so they grees that I have ever seen in newsletter. surface Mining courses as tech- could better chose their major. my tenure at WVU. In fact many The Spring 2005 Pound- nical electives. The students in This Spring, three lab demon- of our graduate students may stone lecture was delivered by 4+1 plan will have to take an strations were offered: 1) Rock not return for the Fall semester James Roberts, president and additional one year set of Mechanics Lab—the students due to attractive offers. CEO of Foundation Coal. Founda- courses at WVU for a second witnessed a uni-axial compres- The major development in tion Coal and its predecessor degree in Mining Engineering. sive strength test of a sand- Spring 2005 was the comple- companies have been a strong The students in 2+2 plan will stone specimen; 2) Coal Prepa- tion of the strategic plan for the supporter of WVU’s Mining Engi- transfer to Mining Engineering ration Lab—the students ob- next 10 years. We thank the neering program during the past major in their Junior year. served a column flotation cell Visiting Committee under the 20 years, especially the graduate separate the fine coal particles leadership of John Murphy and program. Through their continuing from the fine refuse material; 3) subcommittee members Walter support of various projects, we Ventilation and Noise Lab. All of Scheller III (CONSOL Energy), have built the best graduate pro- these demonstrations were well Barry Dangerfield (PINNOak gram in the world in the area of received by the freshmen and longwall mining, ground control If it can’t be Grown, It Resources), and Scott Pack their parents, and opened many and surface subsidence. must be mined! (Foundation Coal) for their time eyes to the diverse and reward- and effort. Their foresight will ing nature of Mining Engineer- guide and lead the program for ing.