Tag: mining engineering

SME Features Michigan Tech in Magazine Series on US Mining Schools

Quincy Mine

The Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME) featured Michigan Tech in Part 3 of its series on U.S. mining engineering schools, published in the September 2024 issue of Mining Engineering Magazine, the society’s official publication. The profile spotlighted the mining-related degree programs Michigan Tech’s Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES) offered.

The article included Q&A sessions with Aleksey Smirnov, GMES professor and department chair; senior mining engineering student Alice Schmaltz; and recent graduates Emily Voght (B.S. Mining Engineering, 2022) and Jacob Maxon (B.S. Mining Engineering, 2023).

In his interview, Smirnov highlighted Michigan Tech as the only U.S. college to offer mining and geoscience-related programs within a single department. He emphasized the University’s proximity to active mining projects, hands-on learning opportunities in mine safety, critical minerals, and data analytics, and the strong industry connections that provide students with internships and job prospects.

Celebrating Excellence: GMES Celebrates Student Achievements with Cookies and Cheers!

The Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES) celebrated the achievements of our students and faculty at a recognition ceremony held on September 13, 2024, in the GMES atrium. We were delighted to welcome our special guests, David Adler (Geology ’82) and his wife, Martha. David has been an invaluable supporter of our American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG) student chapter, and this time, he joined us to present several AIPG awards.

We congratulated Konraad VanDyke (Geology ’26), honored with the Andrew Mozola Memorial Scholarship, and Natalie Sorensen (Geological Engineering ’26), who received the AIPG National Undergraduate Scholarship.

The AIPG student chapter was recognized with the 2023 Excellent Chapter Award, and certificates were presented to the chapter’s past leadership: President Grace Griffin (Ojala), Vice President Maxwell Stange, Secretary Anton Smirnov, and Treasurer Emilie Pray.

We also celebrated the AggCelerate student team for their outstanding achievement in reaching the top six nationally in the final phase of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME)/National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association (NSSGA) Student Design Competition at the 2024 Annual SME Conference & Expo in Phoenix, AZ. The interdisciplinary Michigan Tech team, advised by Dr. Nathan Manser, professor of practice, included mining engineering majors Aiden Harmon, Lucas Maxon, Ian Repic, Nathan Seidel, Grady Williams, and geological engineering junior Cassie Burch.

Other students recognized included Alice Schmaltz (Mining Engineering, ’25), recipient of the prestigious 2024 Copper Club Scholarship, and Rapheka Targbwe (MS student in Mining Engineering), who received competitive scholarships from the Woman’s Auxiliary to the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers (WAAIME), a division of SME.

We also cheered for Gustavo Bejar Lopez for his success in winning the Three Minute Thesis competition and securing a National Geographic Explorer Grant last fall.

Additionally, we welcomed two new members to the department: Xiang Li, our new assistant professor of geological engineering, and Matt Laird, our new academic advisor.

The event was filled with engaging conversations, and everyone enjoyed the refreshments, which included cookies, fruit, and soft drinks. It was a wonderful time for all.

Welcoming Matt Laird: Our New Academic Advisor in GMES

We are excited to welcome our new Academic Advisor, Matt Laird, who joined the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES) this fall! In addition to advising, Matt will serve as the liaison with the Essential Education program and participate in our recruitment and outreach efforts.

He holds a B.S. degree in Applied Geophysics and an M.S. degree in Geophysics from Michigan Tech. Being an alumnus of our department, Matt is well-acquainted with our science and engineering programs.

Matt brings extensive experience successfully working with diverse populations of students as a college academic advisor, instructor, and high school math and physics teacher. He is particularly passionate about helping students navigate their academic journeys and explore career opportunities in geoscience.

“I’m thrilled to be back at Michigan Tech and to have the opportunity to give back to the community that shaped my own academic and professional path,” Matt shared. “I’m looking forward to connecting with students and supporting them in achieving their goals.”

In addition to his role with GMES, Matt will also serve as an academic advisor for the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering (CEGE), and will collaborate with the College of Engineering on recruitment activities.

Outside of work, Matt enjoys reading and music, as well as hiking and exploring the natural beauty of the Upper Peninsula, which he believes enriches his connection with the field of geoscience.

Please join us in welcoming Matt to the team!

Matt Laird

Alice Schmaltz Receives Prestigious 2024 Copper Club Scholarship

We are thrilled to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Alice Schmaltz, a fourth-year mining engineering student in the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences, who has been awarded the prestigious and highly competitive Copper Club Lord Bagri Scholarship!

The Copper Club, Inc., founded in 1944, is the leading organization for networking, educational grants, and events within the copper industry. The Copper Club Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to students majoring in geoscience or other fields related to the production of copper or copper products. This highly competitive award is granted to students who demonstrate exceptional merit, as evidenced by their outstanding academic performance.

This summer, Alice completed an internship with Rio Tinto’s underground mine planning team at the Kennecott mine in Salt Lake City. Reflecting on her experience, she shared: “This experience was packed with a lifetime’s worth of opportunities and experiences. Through my internship project, I had the chance to collaborate with and learn from some of the industry’s brightest minds. I am so grateful for the community and camaraderie that made this journey so memorable and impactful.” 

Alice’s award is the latest addition to the roster of GMES students who have earned this honor (https://www.copperclub.org/scholarships-awards/).

Congratulations, Alice, on your well-deserved achievement!

Welcome to Our New Assistant Professor, Dr. Xiang Li

xiang li
Dr. Xiang Li

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Xiang Li as the newest member of our faculty in the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences at Michigan Tech. Dr. Li brings valuable experience and knowledge that will significantly contribute to our department’s goals in geological engineering.

Dr. Li received his PhD in Geotechnical Engineering from Northwestern University in 2022. His primary research interests lie in geological and geotechnical modeling, with a focus on the dynamics of landslides triggered by precipitation. Before joining Michigan Tech, Dr. Li was a Postdoctoral Scholar at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he expanded his expertise by advancing geomechanics theory through the use of large datasets acquired via Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) remote sensing. This approach not only enables the acquisition of large-scale ground deformation data to refine and improve models but also offers future applications in soil-structure interaction, coastal infrastructure resilience, and earthquake engineering. Recently, Dr. Li published a lead-author paper in the prestigious journal Geophysical Research Letters.

In his new role, Dr. Li will be actively involved in teaching and research in support of our Geological Engineering program. With his expertise and innovative research approach, Dr. Li is poised to play a key role in shaping the future of our program, driving forward our commitment to excellence, and expanding our impact in the field. We look forward to the contributions he will bring to our department. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Li to our department and the university.

Dr. Xiang Li, an incoming Assistant Professor of GMES, publishes his research on predicting landslides

Xiang Li

Dr. Xiang Li, who will join GMES as an assistant professor of geological engineering in August, has published a paper as the lead author in the prestigious journal Geophysical Research Letters. Dr. Li is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California, Los Angeles.

The paper, titled “Exploring the Behaviors of Initiated Progressive Failure and Slow-Moving Landslides in Los Angeles Using Satellite InSAR and Pixel Offset Tracking,” reveals that the Rolling Hills Estates landslide, which destroyed 12 homes in California on July 8, 2023, could have been predicted within a three-day time lag using Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) observation data. These findings provide strong evidence that satellite remote sensing data can significantly contribute to landslide early warning systems and help understand the impacts of climate change on landslide hazards.

Dr. Li’s publication was featured in the LA Times and Phys.org, underscoring the importance and relevance of his work.

This research illustrates how geological engineering can contribute to innovative solutions for predicting natural disasters and potentially saving lives.

Increasing red areas on a topographical map showing displacement in cm.
An animation depicting the land movement on Peartree Lane in Rolling Hills Estates before the July 2023 landslide (by Xiang Li).

Former Professor and Department Head Jorma “Joe” Kalliokoski Remembered

Jorma “Joe” Kalliokoski

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Jorma “Joe” Kalliokoski, a professor emeritus and former Head of the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES) at Michigan Tech. He passed away on Monday, June 3, 2024, at the age of 100.

Dr. Kalliokoski received his B.S. degree from the University of Western Ontario in 1947 and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Princeton University in 1951. He was a faculty member at Princeton from 1956 to 1968, when he came to Michigan Tech to become the Department Head. He served in that capacity for 13 years (1968-1981) and retired in 1988. During his tenure as head, the department expanded, the geophysics program joined our department, and the commitment to research and the graduate program was greatly strengthened. Dr. Kalliokoski made significant contributions in the fields of economic geology, Precambrian geology, and mineral deposit research, on which he published multiple papers and reports. He was the Business editor of Economic Geology Publishing Company from 1971-77.

Dr. Kalliokoski was inducted into the Academy of GMES in 1995.

Read Kalliokoski’s obituary and leave a memory if you wish. A memorial service for Joe will be held at Portage Lake United Church on Saturday, June 29, at 11 am. The burial will be in the Forest Hill Cemetery of Houghton.

Department of GMES Attends the 2024 Annual SME Conference & Expo in Phoenix

A large group of students and faculty from the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES) attended the 2024 Annual Society of Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME) Conference & Expo, held in Phoenix, Arizona, from February 25-28. The group included seven BS students, eight MS students, one Ph.D. student, and three faculty members (Chatterjee, Manser, Smirnov). This annual conference provides an excellent opportunity for our students to gain exposure to the latest advances in mining engineering research and practice, network with industry professionals, and explore future career paths. The Department provided full or partial travel support to all student participants thanks to the generosity of the Richard Saccany Mining Program Fund, the Robert Hendricks Mining Endowment Fund, and our friends who have supported the Mining Engineering program.

The students in attendance were Cassie Burch, Aiden Harmon, Lucas Maxon, Ian Repic, Nathan Seidel, Anton Smirnov Grady Williams, Theo Asumah, Alfred Yeboah, Rapheka Targbwe, Maxwell Yeboah, Jhuleyssy L. Sanchez Aguilar, Angela Amoh, Isaac Donkoh, Conor Large, and Abid Danish.

This year, our AggCelerate student team made it to the top six nationally in the final phase of the SME/National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association (NSSGA) Student Design Competition! This annual competition is a demanding two-phase, team-based, problem-solving activity involving a technical design and an oral presentation. The problem highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with operating a sand and gravel quarry, developing an overall design plan, and optimizing the operating methods and economics. Students work on the problem from the perspective of an engineering consulting team responsible for developing the pit and mineral processing plant configuration.

The AggCelerate team at SME: (left to right) Ian Repic, Cassie Burch, Nathan Seidel, Grady Williams, Aiden Harmon, and Lucas Maxon

The interdisciplinary Michigan Tech team included mining engineering majors Aiden Harmon, Lucas Maxon, Ian Repic, Nathan Seidel, Grady Williams, and geological engineering junior Cassie Burch. “Under the expert guidance of Dr. Nathan Manser, Professor of Practice at GMES, the team has demonstrated exceptional skill and knowledge in their field,” said Aleksey Smirnov, Department of GMES Chair, who attended the conference. Although our team did not make it to the podium, the judges complimented the novelty of their design solutions.

On the research side, Associate Professor and a Witte Family Faculty Fellow in mining engineering, Dr. Snehamoy Chatterjee, delivered an oral presentation titled “Developing a Recourse Action to Survive Low Commodity Prices in Open Pit Mine Planning.” This research develops a recourse action strategy under an uncertain environment to revisit the mine production planning when metal prices decline.

Dr. Chatterjee’s Ph.D. student, Abid Danish, presented a talk titled “Enhancing Workplace Safety in the Mining Industry: A Data-Driven Approach through Unstructured Accident Narrative Analysis and Clustering.” He analyzed MSHA accident/injury data narratives using natural language models and unsupervised machine learning algorithms to understand the risks associated with mining accidents.

PhD student, Abid Danish presents his talk.

The GMES department co-sponsored and hosted an alumni engagement event. The two-hour social event was well-attended by alumni from several MTU departments, such as GMES, Chemical Engineering, Material Science and Engineering, and other programs and current MTU faculty and students. The event was a great opportunity for everyone to network and catch up with old friends. Overall, the alumni engagement event was a success, and plans for the next meeting in Denver are already underway. We are grateful to all the alumni who attended and look forward to seeing even more of them at future events. This year, the event was co-sponsored by the Department of Chemical Engineering.

Associate Professor Dr. Chatterjee welcomes guests.
The GMES alumni event.

Congratulations Spring 2024 Graduates!

Spring 2024 Grads
Spring 2024 Commencement Ceremony

Bravo, graduates! Here’s to your endless potential and the adventures awaiting in your future.

Degrees Awarded

Master of Science in Geological Engineering
Clayton H. Donajkowski
William T. Webster

Master of Science in Geology
Hayden M. Chaisson

Master of Science in Geophysics
Sunday Joseph
Aimee Zimmerman
Morgan Wilke

Master of Science in Mining Engineering
Emmanuel Wolubah
Alfred Yeboah
Enoch Nii-Okai

Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering
Karina K. Constant
Braxton J. Murphy

Bachelor of Science in Applied Geophysics
Brendan Harville

Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering
Ian G. Repic
Olivia K. Rouleau
Nathan J. Seidel
Maxx D. Tartamella

Award Recipients

AIPG National Student Scholarship – Natalie Sorensen
Outstanding GTA Award Spring ‘24 – Aimee Zimmerman
Outstanding GTA Award Fall ’23 – Dakota Locklear
Outstanding Scholarship Award Sp’24 – Morgan Wilke
Outstanding Scholarship Award Fall ‘23 – Ian Gannon
Department Scholar – Sam Jensen
Field Geophysics Spiroff Book Award – Clarissa Gordon
Field Geology Spiroff Book Award – Anton Smirnov
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) – Sam Jensen
Estwig Rock Hammer Award – Max Stange

Certificate Graduates

Geoinformatics – Oluwatosin O. Ayo, Clayton H. Donajkowski, Sunday Joseph,
Ashish Mahaur, Eli A. Paulen, William T. Webster, Morgana M. Wilke, Emmanuel L. Wolubah
Natural Hazards & Disaster Risk Reduction – Hayden M. Chaisson, Ryan M. Cocke,
William T. Webster, Morgana M. Wilke

GMES Spring 2024 Graduates

GMES Awards Seven Degrees in Fall 2023 Commencement Ceremony

The Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences is pleased to award five bachelor’s, and two master’s degrees this December.

Two graduate degrees awarded:
Breen, Dillon MS Geology
Advised by Dr. Luke Bowman
Metts, Isabella MS Geophysics
Advised by Dr. Greg Waite

Five undergraduate degrees awarded:
Hawes, Jack W. BS Geological Engineering
Johnson, Samuel A. BS Geology
McClelland, Elliz E. BS Geology
Myaard, John S. BS Geological Engineering
Verran, Maria E. BS Mining Engineering

Congratulations, and best of luck on all future endeavors!

John Myaard, Elliz McClelland, Samuel Johnson, Maria Verran, and GMES Department Chair Aleksey Smirnov.