The American Exploration & Mining Association (AEMA) celebrated its 125th annual meeting at Reno, Nevada December 2-6. With more than 2000 members, 250+ exhibitors, 100+ speakers, 30+ technical sessions and short courses, it is the second largest and longest running annual mining convention in the United States.
Graduate students Himesh Patel along with Rushikesh Battulwar had the opportunity to present posters at the student poster session and represent the Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering and the Department of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering at AEMA 2019. The judges for this competition and presentation came from a wide range of backgrounds, expertise, and experience in the industry.
Battulwar took home first place in the poster presentation which highlighted his extensive research on machine learning-based technology for the detection of tension cracks from drone images. Patel was awarded 3rd place for his poster on the present status and sustainability of the US mining education sector.
The two graduate students had the chance to meet and talk with current and past year’s Society of Mining Engineers Young Leaders, including the dynamic Emily Rose (SME Young Leader’19) and Bijan Peik (SME Young Leader’18), representing the Mackay School on the Society of Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration’s Young Leaders committee.
The annual meeting of AEMA provides remarkable learning and networking opportunities where one can meet, connect and reinvigorate their connections.
“Personally, it was a great experience for me to present some of my project work and meet and learn from industry leaders,",” Patel said. "I will try my best to attend the annual meeting of AEMA next year. I’d like to thank my advisor Dr. Manoj Mohanty and the Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering for the encouragement and support.”
Pat Heywood and Kenna O’Neill assisted the students with in conference registration and poster presentation.
