The gathering kicks off April 25 at the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center and will be led by Virginia Tech department of mining and minerals engineering faculty members Kray Luxbacher and Emily Sarver.

This year's meeting includes a field trip to the Lhoist Kimballton underground limestone mine in Giles County.

“I do think that the Women in Mining student chapter has helped attract a more diverse group of students to mining and minerals engineering,” Luxbacher said.

“In an industry faced with increased demand, depletion of reserves, and environmental and social challenges, diversity of thought is critical to developing innovative solutions in a rapidly changing field.”

Sarver said Women in Mining also had evolved into a great recruiting resource for Virginia Tech’s mining department and a networking catalyst for its students.

“Prospective students see that mining engineering is a field ripe with opportunities, and current students benefit from early engagement with industry leaders through field trips and other

professional activities,” she said.

The membership of Women in Mining, established in 1972, includes engineers, geologists, secretaries, lobbyists, mine workers and educators.

The Virginia Tech Chapter of Women in Mining was founded in 2004 and was the first student chapter in the nation. It is now one of three US student chapters.