Missouri S&T Mining & Explosives

09/29/2026

Congratulations to Tate Friedrich, a master’s student in Explosives Engineering, who received a Student Research Award at the Aeroballistic Range Association Conference in Santa Cruz, California!

His work developed a method for tuning gas-gun performance across different projectile masses using custom 3D-printed sabots, helping reduce the need for separate calibration tests and projectile-specific hardware. The research was conducted in collaboration with Hadland Imaging.

Tate participated in undergraduate research opportunities within the Missouri S&T College of Engineering and Computing and is getting his thesis masters within a year through the Grad Track Pathway. Reach out if you want to hear how to participate in these opportunities!

Congratulations, Tate, on this well-deserved recognition!

09/25/2026

Thank you, Rio Tinto!

The Department of Mining and Explosives Engineering was delighted to welcome representatives from Rio Tinto to Missouri S&T's Experimental Mine this week. Their team brought expertise spanning underground mining, process engineering, geotechnical engineering, and leadership, giving our students valuable insight into careers across the mining and minerals industry.

We were especially excited to recognize the recipients of Rio Tinto-supported scholarships:

Lindsay Chappell – Mining Engineering
Jackson Hamblin – Chemical Engineering
Jesse Schupp – Mechanical Engineering

A sincere thank you to Rio Tinto for their continued investment in our students and programs.

Interested in seeing one of the nation's most unique educational facilities? Our Experimental Mine provides hands-on learning experiences unlike anywhere else. Industry, educational, and community groups are always welcome to reach out and learn more about opportunities to visit and collaborate.

09/08/2026

Congratulations to our WAAIME Scholarship Recipients!

We are proud to recognize Missouri S&T students (L-R) Lindsay Chappell, Filip Dimitrov, Caleb Schwenk, and Blessings Ncube as recipients of WAAIME scholarships. Pictured with the students is Dr. Catherine Johnson, Interim Department Chair of Mining and Explosives Engineering.

Also receiving a WAAIME scholarship, but not pictured, is Joshua Chireboah-Ansah.

Please join us in congratulating these outstanding students on their achievements and wishing them continued success in their academic and professional endeavors!

08/26/2026

Sam Steele is a Mining and Explosives Engineering student at Missouri S&T going into his Senior year. He was an Underground Operations Intern at Rio Tinto's Underground Project at Kennecott Utah Copper this summer. During his time at Rio, he was working hard on validating production data, working on an underground logistics project, and learning about and improving daily operations of a metals stoping mine. At Rolla, Sam is involved in Engineers Without Borders, the Mine Rescue team, and the Society of Mining and Metallurgy.

08/07/2026

Our Chancellor Mohammad Dehghani, department chair Catherine Johnson, and Samuel Steele were in DC today as part of discussions with POTUS and Dept of Energy leaders on rebuilding the mining workforce. POTUS announced $100M for the 14 accredited mining engineering programs and other investments, including $25M for the workforce for a consortium including South Dakota, the University of Kentucky, and Missouri S&T. https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2026/08/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-announces-billions-in-new-deals-and-investments-to-power-american-mining/

07/15/2026

Congrats to Dr. Lana Alagha and co-PIs for leading S&T's portion of the NSF Engines grant that could provide up to $160 million to the consortium.

Missouri S&T will serve as a core partner in the Critical Materials Crossroads Engine, an initiative selected today for up to $160 million through the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines program.

07/07/2026

Intern update: Allie Ackmann is a mining and explosives engineering student going into her senior year. She is doing an internship with Austin Powder Company this summer. Her daily activities include going on shots, laying out shots, and making sales. In school, Allie is currently the president of Women in Mining and the Treasurer of the International Society of Explosive Engineering. She is also involved in mucking, SME and NSSGA.

07/07/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Catherine Johnson on her promotion to full professor.

Twelve faculty members at Missouri S&T received promotions and/or tenure, effective Tuesday, Sept. 1. Those faculty members are:

06/22/2026

Intern update: Adam Ashworth, is an incoming mining engineering sophomore. Adam was involved in SME and Mucking in the past year, and I am currently interning with Buckley Powder Co, where he gets to visit many mines in Missouri, drill holes for the blasters, and obtain a basic understanding of shot layout and overall design of mines.

06/19/2026

An update from one of our students, Kellan Ast. Kellen is from Nevada, Missouri. He has played with the rugby club and is looking to join SME and mucking in the 2026-27 school year. He is currently interning at Rogers Group Inc. in the Huntsville, AL, region. While there, he is learning about limestone quarry operations.