Returning to the Hilton Garden Inn-Southpointe, located just south of Pittsburgh, the two-day gathering set for October 27 and 28 will this year feature four technical sessions.

The first two panels will provide an overview of current impacts of gas developments on underground mining and how coal production affects water supplies and the environment while a special engineering projects session will examine current projects by operators including Consol Energy, Murray Energy and PBS Coals.

In the final special panel discussion, “Miner Act Plus Five Years”, experts will look at the technological advances in the industry that improve both health and safety.

Featured keynote speakers at the SME/PCMIA event will be Pennsylvania Coal Association president George Ellis, Alpha Natural Resources northern Kentucky operations president Allen Dupree, and SME president John Murphy.

Two luncheons and a career fair for students are also planned during the event, and several vendors will be on hand in an exhibit hall with products and services on display.

Check out ILN in late October for special coverage from the event.