$6000 in Cash Awards Given to 3 UW Students

November 11. 2009 -

The Wyoming Mining Association recently awarded three cash awards to University of Wyoming students to recognize innovative, practical, and technical solutions to address Design Challenge questions. Last Thursday, November 5, 2009, the First Annual Wyoming Mining Association Student Symposium was held at the University of Wyoming. The symposium was held to provide exposure to career opportunities in the mining industry for students. Students were also able to participate in the Design Challenge. To take part in the Design Challenge, students had to select one of four questions devised by the mining industry and construct a poster with their response. Questions ranged from addressing noise issues to successful sagebrush revegetation. Winners were selected to receive a $2000 cash award in the following categories: Most Innovative Solution, Most Practical Solution, and Best Technical Solution. Dale Nuttall, Board President of the Wyoming Mining Association, commented that he was ‘happy with the participation and impressed with the quality of the projects’.

There were seven entries for the Design Challenge which were reviewed by a panel of experts from the bentonite, coal, trona, uranium industries, and a representative from the College of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Wyoming to select the three winners. The Most Innovative Solution award was presented to Gretchen Heberling of Greensboro, MD, for her work on noise reduction. The Most Practical Solution award was presented to Kenneth Brenneman of Riverton, WY, for his work on hearing protection. The Best Technical Solution award was presented to Paul Bonifas of Casper, WY, for his work on subsidence. Marion Loomis, Executive Director of the Wyoming Mining Association stated that he felt ‘it bodes well for the future of Wyoming when you see bright, young people using their minds in innovative ways’.

The Wyoming Mining Association (WMA) is a statewide mining organization whose mission is to communicate information on the significance of a healthy mining industry. WMA promotes the overall industry through active involvement in the legislative process, regulatory policy development, public education, and relevant public policy forums. The WMA represents bentonite, coal, trona and uranium companies and the mining associates (vendors, suppliers and contractors) in Wyoming. Wyoming leads the nation in the production of bentonite, coal, soda ash produced from trona, and uranium. Our membership consists of 34 mining companies 133 supply companies.

Photo: From left to right the individuals pictured are: Marion Loomis, Nattha Sunpitaksaree, Gretchen Heberling, Kenneth Brenneman, Dale Nuttall, and Paul Bonifas.