On April 9-13,
West Virginia University
scholars will join other experts in the fields of mining and reclamation for a joint
conference of three prominent organizations.
Members of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation, the Appalachian Regional
Reforestation Initiative, and the West Virginia Mine Drainage Task Force will gather
at the Waterfront Place Hotel for the four-day event.
“This is the first time all three organizations have held a joint meeting,” said
Jeff Skousen
, professor of soil science in the
Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design and WVU Extension
land reclamation specialist. “All three have a similar, overarching objective –
to reclaim lands that have been impacted by surface mining.”
Skousen and Louis McDonald, professor of soil science, are serving as organizers
of the event.
“It’s an honor for us at West Virginia University, the city of Morgantown, and the
state of West Virginia to host this international meeting,” said Skousen, “It’s
exciting to know the foremost experts in mining and reclamation will be here for
the event. Given the current political attention to the state’s energy industry,
this is the perfect time for scientists, regulators and the industry to share their
knowledge.”
He estimates the meeting will draw over 400 attendees from across the United States,
along with representatives from China, Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom, Venezuela
and Mexico.
The meeting will feature exhibitors with mining and reclamation products and services
along with workshops and field trips for the participants. It will also include
over 100 presentations of research and field demonstration projects from researchers,
practitioners and students.
Presenters will include experts in industry, government and higher education. Scientists
and students from the WVU Davis College,
Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources,
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, WVU Extension Service, and the
National Research Center for Coal and Energy will present results of studies
ranging from mine drainage, biomass, reforestation, mountain top mining and stream
restoration.
Attendees will visit local surface mines, acid mine drainage treatment facilities,
a local power plant, and the Flight 93 Memorial Site and Visitor’s Center which
is being reforested as part of the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative.
For more information on the conference, please contact Skousen at
Jeff.Skousen@mail.wvu.edu. A detailed conference schedule is available
http://wvmdtaskforce.com.