22 JUNE 2024 WorldWide Drilling Resource® San Xavier Underground Mining Laboratory Adapted from Information by the University of Arizona The Henry G. “Hank” Grundstedt San Xavier Mining Laboratory has one of the nation’s most sophisticated research hoisting systems, two declines for access of rubber-tired vehicles, legacy rail haulage access, and the only mining lab with a working vertical shaft in the United States. The mine operated from 1880 until 1952, producing silver, lead, zinc, and copper. The laboratory for research and training has been operated by the University of Arizona Department of Mining and Geological Engineering (MGE) since 1958, and owned by the university since 1975. The department renamed the mine for MGE alumnus and benefactor Hank Grundstedt in 2005. Located on a 90-acre facility, the four-level mine is 250 feet at its deepest. It’s a modern resource for students, industry representatives, and community members. Working with the latest technology in mining and excavation, students get hands-on experience in mine development, unit operations, and maintenance, which help students prepare for international mining competitions as well as jobs in the industry. The San Xavier lab is structured like an operating mine, where all supervisory positions are held by undergraduate students such as mine manager, safety manager, and shift foremen. The mine features four levels of underground workings to help mining and geology students gain hands-on hard hat experience along with mine rescue and recovery exercises. In addition to running the working San Xavier mine, mining engineering students hold multiple internships with mining, petroleum, and gas companies. The School of Mining and Mineral Resources jointly administered by the College of Science and the College of Engineering, is bringing together students, professionals, and communities across disciplines and boundaries to meet the complex challenges of sustainability to make a safer, cleaner domestic mineral supply chain. MGE hosts community tours and activities and conducts K-12 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) outreach at the mine to educate the general public on the importance of the mineral and construction industries. The underground mining lab has long been a training and research resource for federal and state agencies, as well as organizations devoted to underground research, tunnel safety, and mine rescue. The university and the Laborers’ International Union of North America established a cooperative health and safety training program for underground construction and tunneling workers. Since 2000, more than 300 miners from across seven states have participated in these training programs. Thanks to decades of mining industry partnerships, the university today is considered a center of excellence in mine health and safety. MIN
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