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November 23, 2005
INNOVATIONS IN MINERAL EXTRACTIONS IS
FOCUS OF DECEMBER CONFERENCE AT OHIO UNIVERSITY
COLUMBUS, OH - Mineral resources professionals from Ohio and surrounding states will discuss current issues, research and technologies related to mining, oil and gas drilling, conservation and reclamation during the fifth annual Applied Research Conference, hosted by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Mineral Resources Management. The conference is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, December 7-8, at Ohio University in Athens.
“With the current and anticipated increase in energy prices, it is important that mineral resources be extracted in an economic way without a high price to land, soil, water, forest, agricultural and wildlife habitat,” said Mike Sponsler, chief of the ODNR Division of Mineral Resources Management. “Innovations presented at this conference will be valuable to the public, the industry and all professionals interested in natural resource restoration.”
Sessions during the first day will focus on mine drainage treatment strategies, geologic tools, energy utilization and environmental mitigation, acid mine drainage case studies, and regulatory issues related to oil and gas, as well as streams and wetlands.
The second day of the conference includes discussions on mined land investigations and reforestation; monitoring, biology and habitat assessments; use of resource extraction by-products; and watershed studies, plans and partnerships. A tour of treatment sites along Raccoon Creek in Jackson County will feature three projects that successfully address the problem of acid mine drainage.
The keynote speaker will be Dennis Irvin, Ph.D, dean of Russ College of Engineering and Technology at Ohio University. A decade ago, the Division of Mineral Resources Management mounted an initiative to begin watershed restoration research in conjunction with Ohio University. This research laid the foundation for what has evolved into the Consortium for Energy, Economics and the Environment. Dr. Irvin will be discussing this topic and what it offers to Ohio.
An awards luncheon, recognizing Ohio’s leaders in mineral resources education and reclamation, is scheduled for Wednesday, December 7. A casual evening reception, featuring educational displays by various organizations and watershed groups, is also scheduled for the same day.
For further conference information contact Kim Dobbins, ODNR Division of Mineral Resources Management, at 614-265-6373.
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