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Today (12.6.2024) is National Miners Day to honor the miners who provide the raw materials and minerals essential to our nation’s needs. Without mining, we wouldn’t have the critical materials that build our homes, infrastructure, electronics, or the resources that fuel our economy. From the roads we drive on to the technology we depend on, mining is the foundation of modern life. They are the reason MTU stands today!

Michigan Technological University (MTU) was founded in 1885 as the Michigan Mining School (MSM). In the mid-19th century, the discovery of copper in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula led to a surge of prospecting and speculation in the Houghton area. However, early mining attempts often failed due to a lack of technical knowledge. Recognizing this gap, the State of Michigan established a school dedicated to training professionals to develop the state’s copper and iron mining industries.

Although Governor Blair signed a bill to create the Michigan Mining School in 1861, the Civil War delayed funding and implementation. The state did not allocate the necessary funds until 1885, and in 1886, the school officially began operations. With a faculty of four and an initial enrollment of 23 students (9 to start, but increased to 23 by mid-year), the first classes were held in the basement of the Houghton Fire Hall (now known as the Continental Fire Co). By 1891, the school had more students than any such school in the country! GMES faculty and students now utilize state-of-the-art labs and equipment to drive their studies forward.

The first School Principal and Department Head, Albert Williams, Jr., was born in California. He is said to have graduated from Princeton. He worked for the United States Geological Survey (USGS) from its conception in 1879 until he moved to Houghton in 1886. After only working one year at MSM (he returned to USGS, where he worked for approximately 12 more years. Williams had three USGS publications on mineral statistics and two papers about precious metal ore deposits. He co-authored four others on mineral mining statistics with John Wesley Powell.

What classes did the first students here take compared to today’s curriculum? We know they learned the following, but we can’t help but imagine what they would have thought about our Drilling & Blasting class:

• Mining Engineering – Covering the principles and practices of mining, including mine design, operations, and safeguarding.  (Knowing the safety protocols have been refined is comforting.)
• Geology and Mineralogy – Essential for understanding the ore deposits of the Keweenaw Peninsula.
• Chemistry – Focused on chemical analysis for mining applications.
• Mathematics and Physics – Providing the foundational knowledge needed for engineering calculations.
• Surveying – Vital for mapping and planning mining operations.

These courses were designed to meet the practical needs of the mining industry, aligning with the school’s mission to support the region’s economic development. Over time, the curriculum evolved to include broader engineering and scientific disciplines, eventually leading to the university’s modern, diversified offerings.

The Mining Club, a branch of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, was organized in the winter of 1930 so that mining students might hear men of experience in mining work and might discuss and demonstrate modern methods. Membership was limited to the current mining and geological students of twenty-four. It met every other week in the clubhouse if conditions permitted. Every other meeting was a business meeting, which included a discussion by the student members of some interesting topic. At the different sessions, an outside speaker discussed with the club members some engineering subjects of interest to both the guest speaker and the club. As demonstrated through our engaged AIPG student chapter, clubs are as crucial to students now as they were a century ago.

With its historical roots in mining, MTU has built a strong reputation in geology. Its geological engineering program is highly esteemed for its focus on applied fieldwork and resource exploration, while the field geology and field geophysics courses are particularly outstanding.

The school’s first official seal, which utilizes a rock hammer as a background for the letters MSM, highlights the mining and geology disciplines that comprised its main course of study. The university’s original mission was to educate engineers and professionals to support the mining industry, vital to the local economy. We pay tribute to this heritage through solid programs in mining engineering, geological engineering, and related fields. Nearly 100 percent of MTU mining engineering grads find employment within their field of study, enlist in the military, or enroll in graduate school within six months of graduation.

MTU’s legacy in mining has helped shape its identity as a leader in engineering, technology, environmental science, and beyond. While the university’s offerings have diversified to include disciplines like AI, business, cyber security, and nursing, its connection to mining continues to define its academic and cultural heritage. Preserving historic copper mining records is at the heart of an exciting new project at MTU led by James DeGraff.

In the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum, we see the essence of our department. Founded initially within our department, this remarkable museum is one of the rare mineralogical museums still situated at a U.S. university. Now, just up the road, it remains a favorite destination for appreciating nature’s remarkable wonders. Its ongoing presence reflects the university’s dedication to minerals and plays a key role in our legacy.

Mining has evolved from humans finding minerals on the surface to looking deep underground. Tasks once accomplished with hand tools are now being transformed by autonomous vehicles and human-machine interfaces. Automation allows safer and more efficient operations. AI and intelligent mining systems allow more accurate mineral mapping for increased profits. Environmental considerations are central to this approach, which includes using low-emission vehicles, low-carbon binders, and repurposing mine tailings as substitutes for virgin materials.

So, today, National Miners Day, we honor MTU’s deep-rooted legacy and profound contributions to mining and geological sciences. We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us—thank you to past and present faculty whose passion, dedication, and expertise continue to inspire and shape the next generation of scientists and engineers. We also celebrate our remarkable alumni and friends, whose contributions to the field help propel the success of our current students and strengthen our community. Thank you!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o4EHX_3bFpeeWdhAm9sSd0-B1cwgHL55/view?usp=sharing

Sources:
https://www.mtu.edu
https://www.mtu.edu/library/archives/
https://www.msha.gov/about/about/history/national-miners-day
https://www.mtu.edu/library/archives/
https://www.nps.gov/places/a-e-seaman-mineral-museum.htm
https://aimehq.org/
https://museum.mtu.edu/
https://www.involvement.mtu.edu/
https://www.mtu.edu/physics/department/history/1885-1900/

Jhuleyssy L. Sánchez Aguilar successfully defended her MS research in geological engineering on December 2, 2024.

Charles Okai Addai successfully defended his MS research in mining engineering on December 2, 2024.

This fall, MTU students from the Mine System and Resource and Reservation classes and undergrads from the Mineral Processing classes toured the Tilden Mine, an open-pit iron ore operation.

Jacob Ojala, a third-year geological engineering student, is helping Matt Portfleet install some bolts in Quincy Mine.

Soren Olsen, a mining engineering undergrad who expects to graduate in 2027, interned with Heidelberg Materials at their underground limestone quarry in Torrance, PA. During his internship, he worked with the blast crew, operated drills and haul trucks, and gained hands-on experience in the plant and lab. He said the most memorable moments from his summer was “witnessing an underground blast and driving a 70-ton rock truck.”

Students digging deep into knowledge and friendship at the Quincy Mine this fall.

Rapheka Y. Targbwe, MS Mining Engineering ‘24, interned at Freeport McMoRan this summer, diving into the world of Short-Range Planning. Beyond the technical skills, she was inspired by the incredible teamwork she saw throught the industry.

Konraad VanDyke, a geology student from Kalamazoo, MI, who will focus more on mineral exploration after graduating this December, chose MTU for its unique program.

Alice Schmaltz, a fourth-year mining engineering student, received the prestigious and highly competitive Copper Club Scholarship for 2024. She interned at Rio Tinto’s underground mine planning team at the Kennecott mine in Salt Lake City, Utah.