Liangping
Li, Ph.D., and Bill Roggenthen, Ph.D., two faculty in the Department of Geology
and Geological Engineering at South Dakota Mines, discuss the SIGMA-V geothermal
energy experiment at the Sanford Underground Research Facility.
South
Dakota Mines was founded 136 years ago to support the mining and mineral industries.
Today, the core disciplines of geological, metallurgical and mining engineering
remain an integral part of South Dakota’s economy. Mining alone has a $2.5
billion annual impact on the state. We believe South Dakota Mines has an
opportunity to emerge as an epicenter of new technology, serving not only to
increase environmental stewardship, but also to catalyze economic development
in the region.
There
is a bright future in the mineral industries already unfolding around Mines
with much more to come. Here are a few examples of exciting work currently
under way:
- Public-private partnerships are being leveraged
in a new multidisciplinary entity called the Mining Hub, which explores
cutting-edge technology such as autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence,
robotic mining, and a new era of environmentally sustainable mining practices.
- Mines faculty and students are undertaking
research that could revolutionize the future of energy by tapping the massive
well of geothermal heat deep inside the earth as part of a study at the Sanford
Underground Research Facility (SURF) in Lead.
- New and innovative products and manufacturing
methods are being created from mined and recycled minerals with innovative
research funded by private industry, NASA, the DoD and the National Science
Foundation.
State
lawmakers have a history of recognizing the value of strategic investments in
infrastructure. In 2006, state leaders approved a $40 million investment in SURF.
Today, that spending has shown a tremendous return. SURF’s
overall impact on South Dakota’s economy totals more than $248 million since
2008, with greater things yet to come. A new agreement with Caterpillar
will explore transforming part of SURF into an underground robotic mining test
facility. Caterpillar is also supporting the creation of a new laboratory at
Mines to explore state-of-the-art mining technology which will include
collaboration with Western Dakota Tech and local industry. These developments have
the potential to open new frontiers in safe and environmentally sound mining practices
pioneered right here in the Black Hills.
This
year, we’re asking state lawmakers for another investment in the future of
science, engineering and technology. The Mineral Industries Building on the Mines
campus is in desperate need of replacement. The current building lacks the
modern infrastructure required for advanced research and teaching. A new
facility will provide the needed resources for our existing programs to thrive
and grow. We believe a state-of-the-art facility will lead to new discoveries,
spur creation of new high-tech companies and help attract new employers to the
area. All of this will ultimately yield new high-paying jobs in South Dakota.
We
are not undertaking this effort with public investment alone. Industry leaders
are also committing millions of dollars to this project because they recognize
the fantastic opportunities that evolve from collaboration with Mines. Industry
recognizes that a new Mineral Industries Building on campus not only provides
them with a highly skilled workforce, but it also gives them a lead on emerging
technologies that will boost their bottom lines.
We
hope South Dakota citizens will see the wisdom of investing in the future of
earth sciences, technology and the Mineral Industries Building at South Dakota
Mines.
Jim
Rankin, Ph.D., P.E., President, South
Dakota Mines