NIOSH and the National Mining Association are jointly sponsoring this free workshop on using risk-based analysis to improve safety performance in the metal and non-metal mining industry. This one-day workshop is designed to educate metal and non-metal mining industry safety professionals and managers about the Major Hazard Risk Assessment (MHRA) process. Specifically, the workshop will focus on providing attendees examples of the Major Hazard Risk Assessment process, how its applied in the workplace, demonstrate its use through classroom exercises and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the process.

28th International Conference on Ground Control in Mining
7/28/2009 to 7/30/2009, Morgantown, WV

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Designed to promote closer communications among the researchers, consultants, regulators, manufacturers, and mine operators, this conference is oriented toward problem solving in mining operations.

The North Carolina Department of Labor´s Mine and Quarry Bureau will host its free Part 48 Instructor Fundamentals Institute on August 3 - 7, 2009 at the Union County Agricultural Center in Monroe, NC.

The Institute is approved by MSHA, and graduates of the institute become Approved MSHA Instructors to teach the training requirements under Part 48 Subpart B - Training and Retraining of Miners Working at Surface Mines and Surface Areas of Underground Mines.

All students must pre-register and be approved to attend the institute before it starts, therefore, only those students that have pre-registered and have been approved will be allowed to attend the institute.

Western Mine Blasting Safety and Application Seminar
8/5/2009 to 8/6/2009, Denver, CO

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This seminar is for mining company managers, blasting engineers, blasters, and others involved with the planning, design, and use of explosives in the mining industry.

The most recent innovations in drilling and blasting design technology will be addressed, along with specific blasting applications, up-to-date blasting regulations, and blasting related information from recognized experts. Presenters are drawn from manufacturers of explosives and accessories, blasting consultants, design experts, and government agencies.

Surface Haulage Safety Workshop
8/25/2009 to 8/26/2009, National Mine Health & Safety Academy, Beckley, WV

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The Mine Safety and Health Administration has scheduled a free workshop on Surface Haulage Safety. This workshop is for miners, mining industry, related support groups, mining regulatory agencies, and others that are involved with the planning, design, and use of surface mine haulage equipment and/or systems.

The workshop will include presentations given by experts from the manufacturers of mining equipment and others involved in surface haulage safety.

The Workshop on Vibrations from Blasting will take place on the weekend prior to the 9th International Symposium on Rock Fragmentation by Blasting. It will cover the latest advances in vibration measurements. Attendees will gain a better understanding of current best practice and will learn at least one new technique or tool for managing Vibrations from Blasting.

9th International Symposium on Rock Fragmentation by Blasting
9/13/2009 to 9/17/2009, Granada, Spain

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The Fragblast conferences are the worldwide forum for a scientific and technical update on all aspects of rock blasting and explosives engineering: rock fracture and movement, explosives design, testing and properties, detonics, blast design, blast seismics, numerical modeling, economical aspects, etc. The previous conferences have served the blasting community with an unparalleled combination of scientific advances and practical applications and the proceedings of the Fragblast symposia are must-have literature on the working desk of researchers, scholars, consultants, field engineers and blasters.

NSSGA/MSHA Noise & Dust Monitoring Workshop
9/15/2009 to 9/17/2009, Indianapolis, IN

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MSHA in alliance with NSSGA have scheduled this workshop. Designed for plant managers and supervisors; human resources managers, consultants, safety and health professionals, and industrial hygienists, this program consists of a 3-day workshop with two days of classroom application and one day of field work in which each participant, under real-world circumstances, conducts noise and dust monitoring and collects exposure measurements of working aggregate miners. This is a unique opportunity to learn how to conduct noise and dust exposure monitoring, record and interpret results, and develop plans to reduce exposures below MSHA permissible limits.

2nd Annual Surface Mine Rescue Competition
9/26/2009, Kingston, NJ

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This conference is intended to help mine trainers improve their training programs with new ideas, materials and information. Concurrent tracks of workshops are held for two full days. There are no fees for registration or tuition. Pre-registration is requested but not required.

This conference is a great place to learn new and improved ideas for training our nations miners as well as new and advanced ideas of making a safer and healthier work environment for our miners. With about 700 attendees last year, it also proves to be an excellent place for networking.

As part of the 2010 SME Annual Meeting and Exhibit, there will be a symposium commemorating the centennial of mining research in the United States, formalized by the creation of the U.S. Bureau of Mines in 1910. The Office of Mine Safety and Health Research now resides within the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

The target audience for this symposium is the national and international mining scientific and research community, including industry, labor, academia, and regulatory and other agencies at the federal and state levels.