The event is sponsored by the US Department of Labor (DOL) and the E&MLF, a non-profit educational organisation for energy’s legal issues.

Topics on the itinerary for the two-day institute include legal and policy developments, the MINER Act, mine safety and rescue technology, mine mapping, accident investigations conducted by the Mine Safety and Health Administration and regulatory developments.

The speakers included in the presentations and panel discussions encompass a number of experts in the research, regulatory and legal fields of the industry. They include:

Bruce Watzman – National Mining Association (NMA)

David Dye – MSHA

Mark Skiles – MSHA

Judith Rivlin – United Mine Workers of America (UMWA)

Marco Rajkovich – Rajkovich, Williams, Kilpatrick & True

Howard Radzely – US DOL

Thomas Stock – Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission

There are also tentative plans for an oral argument before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission on SE 2005-51, Jim Walter Resources. If finalised, it will wrap up the event on the afternoon of November 15.