About us
A Message from the President
Dear colleagues, friends,
When SOMP welcomed me as a new member in 2012, I could not have imagined what a special community I was joining. This has become my professional home— a network of exceptional people who share a passion from mining and minerals education and, as importantly, a passion for collaboration across institutions and borders. Working alongside such talented and generous colleagues is so very rewarding. I am humbled by your trust and grateful for the opportunity to serve as SOMP’s President this year.
Our guiding theme for this year is Leading Together and I am really excited to see these words in action during our 2026 Annual General Meeting. The meeting will be hosted by the Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering at Virginia Tech between July 19-22. We cannot wait to welcome SOMP members and friends to our iconic campus in Blacksburg, Virginia. We are confident the program will be both engaging and productive-with plenty of space to spark new connections and strengthen the partnerships that make sOMP so effective. We are also organizing a parallel program for partners to explore the beautiful New River Valley and experience the local culture. And between July23-24, we will offer an off-campus excursion to regional mine sites.
Looking forward to our time in Blacksburg. Until then, Glückauf!
Emily Sarver
Stonie Barker Professor of Mining Engineering, Virginia Tech
2026 SOMP President
we look forward to hosting you
The Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering at Virginia Tech occupies a special place in the university’s history and identity: The very first engineering degree conferred by Virginia Tech was in mining engineering, establishing a tradition of technical excellence that has endured for more than a century. From its earliest years, the department has combined education, research, and service to advance the mining profession and contribute to the responsible development of natural resources. Today, the department continues to play a vital role at the leading edge of engineering innovation.
Widely recognized as a major research engine of the university, the department is home to the Center for Advance Separation Technologies (CAST) and the Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research (VCCER), which expands its reach and impact across industry and government. Faculty and students lead cutting-edge work in mineral processing, mine health and safety, automation, and sustainable resource recovery. With the newly renovated Holden Hall providing state-of-the-art labs, classrooms, and collaboration spaces, the department is well positioned to prepare the next generation of engineers and to ensure that mining remains not only a proud legacy at Virginia Tech, but also a vital part of its present and future.
Blacksburg, Virginia
Nestled in the scenic New River Valley on the edge of the Appalachian Mountain, Blacksburg offers the quintessential “college town” experience. With Virginia Tech as its heart, the community thrives on a vibrant mix of culture, innovation, and Hokie spirit. Downtown Blacksburg features locally owned restaurants, coffee shops, and live music venues, creating an energetic yet welcoming atmosphere.
Regularly ranked among the best small towns to live in the United States, Blacksburg combines natural beauty and outdoor recreation with a strong sense of community. Its walkable downtown, dynamic art scene, and proximity to hiking and biking trails make it a destination that balances academic excellence with quality of life. For visitors and residents alike, Blacksburg captures what it means to live, work, and learn in a true college town.
Getting Here
It is recommended to fly into one of several international airports in the mid-Atlantic US. Washington Dulles (IAD), Charlotte (CLT) and Atlanta (ATL all offer connecting flights to the Roanoke Regional Airport (ROA), which is about a 40-minute drive to Blacksburg.
Notably, arrival to IAD offers the most flexibility with options for: direct Virginia Breeze bus transfer to Blacksburg, connecting regional flight to ROA, or Amtrak train from DC Central Station to Roanoke (note you must take metro from IAD to DC Central Station). From ROA and the Roanoke Amtrak station, there is a direct SmartWay bus transfer to Blacksburg.
For those wishing to rent a car, expect drive times of about 4.5 hours from IAD or 3.0 hours from CLT.
2026 Organizing Committee
Prof. Emily Sarver, Virginia Tech, USA
Prof. Vladislav Kecojevic, Queen’s University, Canada
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Elisabeth Clausen, RWTH Aachen University, Germany
Prof. Serkan Saydam, University, University of New South Wales, Australia
Prof. Zach Agioutantis, University of Kentucky, USA
Prof. Emeritus, Michael Karmis, Virginia Tech, USA
Prof. Domingo Javier Carvajal Gomez, University of Juelva, Spain
Hon. Prof. Angel Tobar Escudero, Technical University of Madrid / Epiroc, Spain
Prof. Oscar Jaime Restrepo Baena, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Colombia
Ms. Sandra Nowosad, Curtin University, Australia
Assoc. Prof. Veiko Karu, Estonian Business School, Estonia
Dr. George Barakos, Curtin University, Australia
Prof. Godfrey Dzinomwa, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Namibia
Prof. Andrea Brickey, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, USA
Prof. Wei Victor Liu, University of Alberta, Canada
Assoc. Prof. Nga Nguyen, Hanoi University of Mining and Geology, Vietnam
Prof. Harmony Musiyarira, Nambia University of Science & Technology, Namibia
Prof. Oliver Langefeld, Technicaal University of Clausthal, Germany
Assoc. Prof. Bahareh Nojabaei, Virginia Tech, USA
Assist. Prof. Rohit Pandey, Virginia Tech, USA
Assist. Prof. Amy McBrayer, West Virginia University, USA