Mining for the future workforce

Oftentimes the best way to learn is through experience – and sometimes it’s a blast. The College of Engineering takes this philosophy to heart by integrating experiential learning to train the next generation of mining engineers. For the last three years, the Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering has taken first-year engineering students curious about the mining discipline to Rockydale Quarries in Roanoke, Virginia. Fondly referred to as “Blast Day,” students witness a series of carefully planned and controlled explosions designed to fragment rock for extraction. After donning their hard hats and entering the mine, which is actually above ground, students learn about this well-known tactic for extracting limestone, while seeing firsthand what a future in the mining workforce can bring.

Aaron Noble, head of the Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering, believes that Blast Day is one of the most important outreach events they have each year, as it bridges classroom theory with real-world industry practices.

“Many first year engineering students have never seen a mine or thought about how mining contributes to things in their everyday lives,” Noble said. “Blast Day allows these students to witness the mining process firsthand in a way that is fun and exciting. They learn about engineering concepts and the practical challenges that go into designing and optimizing a blast. It provides a glimpse into our field, and many students leave intrigued and excited to learn more.”

Blast Day 101 

One of the biggest questions from prospective students interested in mining and minerals engineering is "What do mining engineers do?" Blast Day, which began in 2021, is one of the ways the department answers this question with an experience that is engaging and impactful. The blast itself is exciting, but the discussions and interactions with Rockydale site engineers are just as important. This direct interaction with professionals in the industry allows students to understand the complexities and challenges they could tackle after graduation.  

In the fall semester of 2024, prospective mining and minerals engineering students embarked on another Blast Day field trip to Rockydale Quarries. Rockydale has been in operation since 1932 and has seven locations throughout Virginia and the Carolinas including: Appomattox, Broadway, Flatrock, Jacks Mountain, Roanoke, Starkey, and Staunton. A dolomitic limestone mine, Rockydale Quarries' Roanoke Quarry supplies materials primarily for projects like the ongoing construction on I-81 near Roanoke. As students traveled to the mine, they passed through this construction, witnessing firsthand how Rockydale’s materials are used in the road base and asphalt. This provided them with a tangible connection between the quarry’s operations and real-world infrastructure projects – and the trip had just begun.

Once onsite, the mine visit began with an introduction to safety protocols, emphasizing the importance of safety in mining operations. While riding in a van tour of the above ground mine, students were given an overview of Rockydale’s daily operations. A mining engineer explained advanced equipment, such as GPS surveying instruments, used to map out the rocky area and identify the most effective locations for drilling blast holes. This location scouting is critical for achieving optimal rock fragmentation, allowing efficient extraction and minimized environmental impact. The operations overview helped students appreciate the technical skills and knowledge required to plan and execute a successful blast.

Having a blast

The highlight of the day was the blast itself. From a safe viewing location, students watched as a controlled explosion fragmented the rock. This firsthand experience of a blast operation provided students with a comprehensive understanding of the power and precision involved in mining engineering.

First-year engineering student, and Herndon, Virginia native, Lily Buxmann, was one of the students who went on the field trip to learn more about mining. 

“I took an engineering elective class called space mining and found it really interesting,” Buxmann said. “I decided to attend several other events hosted by the mining department to learn more. I liked what I was hearing, but Blast Day has definitely solidified my choice to be a mining engineer.”

Following the blast, students toured the site and plant area, riding through the wide roads used to fit the wheel loaders carrying extracted rock. This part of the tour revealed the entire mining process, from rock extraction to processing. Students learned about the various machinery and technologies used in the industry, such as drilling rigs and crushing equipment, gaining insights into the operational aspects of quarries. It’s not just providing materials for construction – the mine also provides agricultural grade limestone that can be used on farmers’ fields to manage soil pH. 

The day concluded with a presentation led by two Rockydale employees, and proud Virginia Tech mining and minerals engineering alumni, Chris Willis (‘09) and Mike Chopski (‘09). During this session, Willis and Chopski shared their professional experiences and discussed the critical role of mining engineers in society, whether extracting critical minerals like lithium to optimize electric vehicles or finding solutions to sequester carbon in old natural gas mines. They provided context for what the students had observed, linking the rock extraction back to their academic studies. Highlighting the real-world applications of the coursework in the mining and minerals engineering major, Blast Day has been successful in leading more first-years to pursue this lesser understood discipline.

“Over the last year, we have seen our undergraduate student enrollment grow by 30 percent, and many of our current students cite their experience at Blast Day as being a catalyst to their decision to enroll in mining and minerals engineering,” said Noble. 

A field in demand

Garnering student interest has never been more crucial, as more than half the current domestic mining workforce will retire by 2029 (roughly 221,000 workers). At the same time, the need for mineral resources is rapidly growing along with our dependence on green technologies. In 2020, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the world needed approximately 8 million metric tons of minerals for the deployment of electricity networks, solar and wind technology, battery storage, low-carbon power generation, and more. By 2030 – just six years from now – we will need roughly 50 million metric tons of critical minerals. That’s a more than six-fold increase from today’s need, but the mining workforce will decrease by half.

Willis ‘09, regional manager of Rockydale Quarries – Southern Operations, believes that events like Blast Day provide a unique opportunity for companies to engage with students and the community. This outreach is critical in recruiting the next generation of the mining workforce.

Photos and video by Luke Hayes