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58 MARCH 2015 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® Grant Awarded to Research Underground Block Caving Adapted from Information by the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology (SDSMT) was recently awarded a $1.25 million contract to de- sign more advanced underground ven- tilation systems for block caving mines. The goal of the five-year project from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is to create safer and more comfortable working environ- ments, which could ultimately lead to more efficient production for mining companies. In a nutshell, block caving is the underground version of open-pit mining. This hard rock mining method involves undermining an ore body and allowing it to progressively collapse under its own weight. During the first year, NIOSH will provide $250,000, which is renewable annually for five years. Phase 1 of the project aims to develop numerical mod- els to predict geomechanical parameters such as caved rock porosity and per- meability. The models will also predict ventilation parameters such as gas emis- sion rates from the caved rock; resistance offered by the caved rock to airflow; and adequate supply of fresh air to dilute gases. Purushotham Tukkaraja, Ph.D., of the Department of Mining Engineering & Management, will lead the research as primary investigator. “With the discovery of near-surface min- eral deposits declin- ing, exploring for deep-seated de- posits and finding innovative ways to mine them is one viable solution to the ever-growing need for minerals. Block caving is one such innovative way, and it has the potential to rival surface mining both in rate of mineral production and production cost[s],” said Tukkaraja. The project will attempt to develop a practical mine ventilation design, which an operating block caving mine could use to predict gas emission rates and ade- quate airflows in underground working areas. It will also allow for simulation of the caving process in an underground metal/nonmetal mine and for the valida- tion of the numerical models through field measurements. Additionally, the project will analyze the ventilation system by including cave resistance values in the network models. SDSMT graduate students will play a key role in the research. In addition to developing technologies to improve mine safety and help, the NIOSH grant will also increase expertise in the area of mine ventilation through graduate education. “Ventilation is the lifeblood of a mine, and the ventilation engineer plays a key role in operating a safe and profitable underground operation. Currently, there is a need for qualified ventilation profession- als in the mining industry,” said Tukkaraja. Tukkaraja will be joined by addition- al SDSMT faculty members who will bring expertise in geomechanics and compu- tational fluid dynamics to this interdisci- plinary project, including Kurt Katzenstein, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Geology & Geological Engineering; Khosro Shahbazi, Ph.D., assistant pro- fessor, Department of Mechanical Engineering; and Lance Roberts, Ph.D., head and professor, Department of Mining Engineering & Management. Send your Who’s in the News to: promotions@worldwidedrillingresource.com WHO’S IN THE NEWS - SINCE 2003 - New Board Member for Academy of Geo-Professionals Theresa Engler, executive director of Deep Founda t i on s Institute, was named a board member of the elite Academy of Geo- Professionals. New Promotion and Hire at Skanska Jeff Stewart was hired as vice president of proposal development and marketing. Don Fusco is now COO West. Scott Slater Named President and CEO Keystone Drill Service LLC & Stockdale Mine Supply LLC announced Scott Slater as the new president and CEO. Scientific Drilling International Announces New Hires Eric Beylier joined the Scient i f ic Dri l l ing International Team as senior vice president and chief procurement officer. Doug McGregor is now senior vice presi- dent of measurements for Scient i f ic Dr i l l ing International. National Drilling Association (NDA) Safety Awards NDA President Dan Dunn presented Pearson Drilling Company and others with Safety Awards. Earth Matters, Inc. Terra Sonic International, LLC S&ME, Inc. Geotechnology, Inc.