Mining engineering students now have a better understanding of how barometric pressure and air flow can affect mine ventilation, thanks to a donation from The Doe Run Co.

Under the guidance of Professor Stewart Gillies, Missouri S&T students use equipment provided by Doe Run in the experimental mine in Rolla. Sam O’Keefe/Missouri S&T

Doe Run donated $37,724 in technical equipment, including four digital barometers, three digital anemometer kits with temperature gauges and three mechanical anemometer kits, each of which are critical to predicting and measuring changes in mine ventilation air flow and pressure.

“These tools are a part of every underground mine’s basic tool kit and help in collecting ventilation data,” says Randy Hanning, MinE’87, Doe Run’s mine operations manager. “It is important that mining students know how to use these tools effectively and understand how differences in barometric pressure and airflow can affect ventilation. We’re fortunate to have one of the nation’s best mining engineering programs located in our own backyard, and anytime we can assist with educating the next generation of miners, we’re happy to help.”