The goal of this meeting is to supply attendees with the most up-to-date information on a wide variety of safety issues important to small mines operating in the West Virginia and Kentucky region.

MINExpo International 2008
9/22/2008 to 9/24/2008, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

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Held only once every four years, the conference program will have 20 educational sessions which will tackle the most timely and pressing issues affecting the mining industry, with many of the industry´s top professionals leading the discussions. The information shared at these sessions will help you get ahead of the changes and developments affecting the mining industry in the U.S. and around the world. And, your attendance will earn professional development credits.

In addition, more than 1,100 exhibitors will be displaying the latest technology, equipment, parts and services used for exploration, extraction, safety, environmental remediation and preparation of metallic ores, coal and other minerals. With displays covering more than 568,000 square feet of exhibit space, this is the largest show of its kind in the world.

This tuition-free seminar provides opportunities for health and safety trainers to improve their training programs with new ideas and new materials. Participants may select from 60-70 workshops to attend. A small group format encourages interaction between the participants and the workshop leaders. The seminar also includes an exhibit of training materials developed by MSHA, state grants recipients, and the mining industry.

4th Annual Joint Western Regional Mine Safety and Health Conference
10/27/2008 to 10/30/2008, Westminster, CO

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Sponsoring agencies from the mining industry, government and education present the Fourth Annual Joint Western Regional Mine Safety and Health Conference. Committed to exploring ways to improve health and safety in the mining industry, the purpose of this premier conference is to:

• Build partnerships focusing on zero fatalities, injuries and occupational illnesses in the mining industry

• Foster relationships and open communication between industry and federal agencies

• Create a better understanding of how to send healthy miners home after each shift.

The Conference aims to present and discuss future technological needs of the mining industry; current and prospective innovations in the mining industry and implementation of new scientific and technological developments from other disciplines into the mining industry. It will provide a forum for communication among mine operators, senior managers, technical managers, scientists, engineers, equipment manufacturers, government representatives and other stakeholders. The conference also aims to identify possible scenarios of "Mining in the Future" and provide a picture of the global mining industry in 2025 and beyond.

The only national meeting entirely focused on underground stone mining, this year the seminar will provide a review of regulatory changes including the reduction in diesel particulate matter (DPM) limits. Health and Safety research results will be discussed in the areas of ground control dust, and DPM.

Seminar registration brochure available by mid-October.

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.