October 12, 2024 - This fall, the Penn State Mining Engineering program invited engineers worldwide to Pittsburgh for the 7th International Symposium on Mine Safety Science and Engineering (ISMSSE). At the symposium, researchers and experts from academia, industry and scientific research institutes shared new concepts and exhibited technical equipment to forward mine safety science and engineering. 

As chair for this year’s ISMSSE, Shimin Liu, Deike Chair Professor in Mining Engineering at Penn State, said it was a significant opportunity for the John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering (EME) to host the event.

Shimin Liu, Deike Chair Professor in Mining Engineering at Penn State, speaking at the 7th International Symposium on Mine Safety Science and Engineering.

Credit: Courtney Robinson / Penn State. Creative Commons

“Mine safety presents a level of complexity that no single industry or group can address alone,” Liu said. “In EME, we pride ourselves on being one of the few truly interdisciplinary departments within the U.S. dedicated to tackling the challenges society faces in energy and mineral extraction, safety and mining. I believe this makes us the ideal host to bring diverse perspectives together, foster new collaborations and explore the most effective path forward.”

According to Liu, although the number of mine fatalities have declined, there is still a need to analyze “close call” incidents where tragedy is narrowly averted and share best practices on how to prevent them. Coal mine dust-related respiratory diseases like black lung are a persistent occupational health hazard for coal workers that require further study and discussion. Bringing together policymakers, industry partners and researchers provides a chance for discussion to find a solution. 

Another focus of the symposium focused on the green energy transition. Ashish Kumar, assistant professor of mining engineering at Penn State, chaired the technical session on Green Mining and the Green Energy Transition.

“Now is such an exciting time in mining because there are so many opportunities,” Kumar said. “However, as we rush to supply the materials needed for the green energy transition, we need to make sure the safety of the miners and the sustainability of the surrounding communities are our top priorities. Learning about innovative topics like using borehole heat exchangers to meet a part of energy requirements, extracting rare earths from fly ash using super-critical fluids, and alleviating methane release from mining operations is encouraging.”

Ang Liu, assistant teaching professor of energy and mineral engineering at Penn State, was among 11 to receive the International Outstanding Young Scholar Award during the symposium’s award ceremony. This award recognizes young scientists who have made “significant contributions in any of the research fields related to mine safety science and engineering.” 

“I was deeply honored to receive the Young Scholar award from the International Committee on Mine Safety Science and Engineering,” he said. “After years of dedicated research efforts, the recognition filled me with gratitude. As a lead researcher under Dr. Shimin Liu, I have contributed to several mine safety projects funded by Alpha Foundation, NIOSH and others. Our research outcomes have led to meaningful advancements in engineering applications in mines.”

The symposium concluded with technical tours of the CONSOL Energy Inc. mining complex in Pittsburgh and the mining engineering program labs at University Park.

Barbara Arnold, professor of practice and chair of the Mining Engineering program at Penn State, said she was happy to see Penn State's level of participation. 

“Penn State's Mining Engineering program is one of the oldest programs at Penn State, beginning in 1890,” said Arnold, who also was an organizing co-chair for the symposium. “Penn State has been at the center of mine safety advancements with our research in rock mechanics, ventilation and respirable dust, including hosting the Respirable Dust Center under the United States Bureau of Mines in the 1980s and 1990s. To see so many current Penn State faculty, students and alumni involved in the latest research demonstrates the strength of the program and our continued impact on miner health and safety.”