Penn State University and the Penn Stater Conference Center was the epicentre of the bi-annual symposium. It is the second time Penn State has hosted the event; the 10th in 2004 was held at the University of Alaska.

According to co-chairs Dr. Jan Mutmansky and Dr. Raj Ramani, the event attracted approximately 180 attendees from nine countries and 25 states from the areas of academia, industry, consultancy and government regulatory and research agencies. A total of 87 papers were presented.

Both co-chairs noted an increased interest this year in topics related to mining disasters due to current events, and a renewed interest in methane drainage, certifications and approval, rescue and recovery and emergency processes.

Seals were heavily discussed, particularly with regards to strength and location. “[Seals] is an area that has potential for great improvement for health and safety in mines,” Ramani said, adding that it was placed on the schedule to do what it did successfully – increase discussion on the topic.

With mining engineering historically regarded as a man’s field, Ramani happily noted a significant attendance by female professionals, which he said has risen over prior years mainly due to increased industry opportunity. “It was good,” he said, adding that while he and Mutmansky did not have the opportunity to meet them all, it was a welcome sight.

Both were also impressed by the variety and diversity of papers given at the event, as the papers spanned not only coal mining but also metal and non-metal mining and deep mines.

While metal mining topics are normally more prevalent at the events hosted in the western US, many western-based professionals made the trip to the east to share their knowledge.

As many as 30% of the papers presented were offered by professionals outside of the immediate Appalachian region, Ramani said.

A major overtone of the event in regards to the rescue and evacuation topics discussed, especially at the special session held on the evening of Monday, June 5, saw a heavy consensus for the theory of escape first, refuge last. It is a method with which both Mutmansky and Ramani agree – and strategy was the key, said Mutmansky.

Ramani said while it was a tall order given the various theories under discussion currently, standardisation of procedure was vital: “Escape, evacuate, barricade, rescue – and you want to have all four. If anything fails, we always look for the next one, [looking] for you to barricade yourselves if escape and evacuation are not possible.”

The symposium adjourned Wednesday afternoon with discussions on training dedicated to mine ventilation professionals.

With only 14 accredited underground mining programs remaining in the US, according to the final presentation by Mining Ventilation Services, it was an unavoidable quandary that must be considered sooner rather than later. Presenters Keith Wallace and Craig Hairfield said ventilation may not be getting the attention it required at the education level, inside the classroom.

While the discussion portions of the symposium wrapped up Wednesday afternoon, three field trips comprising of tours of a Foundation Coal longwall operation, the NIOSH/MSHA Bruceton Laboratories and Pleasant Gap limestone mine were conducted Thursday with a limited number of participants in each group.

Near the conclusion of the 11th event, information on the 12th US/North American Mine Ventilation Symposium was announced. Hosting honours for the next conference went to the University of Nevada-Reno, in conjunction with California firm Mine Ventilation Services. The event is scheduled for June 9-11, 2008.