Returning to the Hilton Garden Inn-Southpointe, located just south of Pittsburgh, the two-day gathering set for October 25 and 26 will this year feature four technical sessions covering sustainable development, engineering projects, gas and new technologies.

Center Rock’s Brandon Fisher will also make a special presentation at the two-day event to discuss the rescue shaft drilling for the recovery of 33 Chilean miners in 2010.

Alpha Natural Resources’ mine rescue dog Ginny and her handler Rick McAllister will serve as hosts for the groups’ student luncheon on October 25.

Ginny is the world’s first canine rescue team member and has been making the rounds in the industry while gaining valuable training at the nation’s mines.

Keynote speakers for the SME-PCMIA event will be SME president Drew Meyer as well as Virginia Tech Center for Coal and Energy Research director Stonie Barker and Department of Mining and Minerals engineering professor Michael Karmis.

Two luncheons and a career fair for students are also planned during the event and several vendors will be on hand in an exhibit hall with products and services on display.

Professional development hours will also be offered from the conference.

Check out ILN in late October for special coverage from the event.