AIPG Invited Speaker November 4, 2008 - Dr. Jim Miller, Associate Professor and Director, University of Minnesota - Duluth

Abstract

Preparing Students for Jobs in the Booming Mining and Minerals Exploration Industries at the University of Minnesota Duluth

Despite the recent downturn in the global economy, long-term projections indicate a protracted period of growth, especially in China and the rest of Asia.  For the past several years, the demands this growth has put on earth resources has spurred a boom in mining and minerals exploration globally and locally.  Not only are the iron mines of the Mesabi Range running at near capacity, but two new mines have been permitted recently.  Also, if Polymet's permit to mine Cu, Ni, and precious metals is approved, expectations are that a new world-class mining camp will develop in northern Minnesota that could operate for over 50 years.

With this activity occurring in our own backyard, the University of Minnesota Duluth has been actively developing several initiatives to provide the human resources necessary to satisfy the local demand for skilled geoscientists and engineers.  The first of these was the establishment of the Precambrian Research Center in 2006.  The PRC is a field mapping institute that looks to train students and professional geologists in field techniques best suited to the Precambrian terrains of the Canadian Shield. A second recent development is the establishment of a Department of Civil Engineering at UMD.  Ground was broken this past summer on a new civil engineering building and the first freshman class of 50+ students began their studies this term.   One of the two faculty hire thus far is a geotechnical engineer. A third initiative presently being planned is to develop integrated curriculum options in both Geology and Civil Engineering.  Geology undergraduates will be given the option of taking new courses that relate to mining and mineral exploration.  The geology department is also looking at the idea of creating a professional (5-year) degree in mining and mineral exploration.  Civil Engineering is currently developing a curriculum for a mining engineering minor as well as a profession civil engineering degree with a mining emphasis.    With these and other initiatives, UMD is hoping to position itself as the place where local and global earth resource industries come looking for well-trained geoscientists and engineers.
 
Bio:
 
Jim Miller was recently appointed as an assistant professor in the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Minnesota Duluth after having worked 25 years as a senior geologist with the Minnesota Geological Survey.  He also serves as administrative director for the Precambrian Research Center, which is a field mapping institute created at UMD in 2007.
He received his B.S. from the University of Illinois -Urbana in 1977 and his PhD from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in 1986.  His primary area of research is geologic mapping and petrologic and metallogenic studies of northeastern Minnesota geology, particularly the Duluth Complex.  He has authored or coauthored over 40 reports, field guides, and geologic maps.
 

Dr. Jim Miller
Department of Geological Sciences
University of Minnesota Duluth
229 Heller Hall, 1114 Kirby Drive
Duluth, MN 55812

Email: mille066@umn.edu