The nation’s leading experts on mining and reclamation – including scholars from West Virginia University – will gather in Morgantown for the annual symposium of the West Virginia Mine Drainage Task Force March 29-30 at the Waterfront Place Hotel.
Formed in 1978 to investigate the acid mine drainage problem associated with surface mining in central West Virginia, the Task Force has since broadened its scope to include areas outside the state with many diverse mine drainage issues. Members represent the mining industry, regulators, private consultants and scientists who keep current on new developments in prevention, control and treatment of acid mine drainage.
According to symposium organizer Jeff Skousen, professor of soil science in the WVU Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design and WVU Extension Specialist for land reclamation, the meeting provides an opportunity to learn about the newest innovations in mining, reclamation and water quality.
Invited speakers will discuss a variety of topics including acid mine drainage treatment in the Cheat River and Deckers Creek, passive treatment of acid mine drainage, and 2015-16 legislative issues on mining reclamation and water quality.
Daniel J. Robison, dean of the WVU Davis College, will open the symposium with an update on water initiatives at the university. Randy Huffman, cabinet secretary of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, will give an update on the mining industry and regulations for mining, reclamation and water quality issues.
Special guests will include D. Kirk Nordstrom, research hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Boulder, Colorado, Bruno Bussiere, professor of mine reclamation at the University of Quebec in Montreal, Canada, and Linda Figueroa, associate professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines.
For more information, visit http://wvmdtaskforce.com or contact Skousen at 304-293-6256 or jskousen@wvu.edu.
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law/3/22/16
CONTACT: Lindsay Willey, Communications Manager
304-293-2381, Lindsay.Willey@mail.wvu.edu
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