This is a conference for underground and surface drillers and blasters, engineers, safety personnel, suppliers, and other professionals associated with drilling, blasting, and explosives.

  • New products, equipment, and technology
  • Recent developments in blasting practice, safety, improved fragmentation, and vibration and ground control
  • Regulatory compliance issues

The Fifteenth Pennsylvania Drilling and Blasting Conference is for underground and surface blasters, engineers, suppliers, and other professionals associated with drilling, blasting, and explosives. This conference meets Pennsylvania continuing education requirements for blaster's license renewal. If you are seeking renewal credits outside of Pennsylvania, please check on the specific requirements for your state.  

Update: The planning committee thanks all exhibitors, sponsors, and participants of the 2011 conference. We invite you to mark your calendar for the 16th Pennsylvania Drilling and Blasting Conference, November 14 and 15, 2013, at The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel, State College, Pennsylvania.  

View the conference schedule here (Adobe PDF). Register by October 28. After this date, walk-in registration (additional $30 fee applies) will be available on November 2, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., or November 3, from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m., at the on-site conference check-in desk (conference wing) of The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel. Exhibitors may call 814-863-5100 to check on booth availability (there are currently two exhibit booths still available). Ask for John Farris or Marian Dunegan.     

The conference is structured to provide continuing education to blasting professionals and is a statewide forum for discussing current issues. During a series of technical sessions, participants will examine new products and practices for cost savings, improved fragmentation, vibration control, improved safety, and regulatory compliance. These topics will be covered in the conference presentations using relevant examples from quarry, surface coal, and underground metal/nonmetal mining and construction projects. This conference attracts a varied and impressive list of professionals, each with special expertise and a strong desire to share knowledge and experiences. Conference papers will not be printed in order to control costs and to maintain the informal nature of this conference.

The planning committee recognizes the following sponsors for their support of the 2011 conference: Nobel Insurance, Maine Drilling & Blasting, American Rock Mechanics, Senex Explosives, Maxam North America, Dyno Nobel, Mine Drilling Services, Wampum Hardware, and REICHdrill.

Exhibits

The conference will also include a major exhibition of products and services available to the drilling and blasting industries, to be highlighted Thursday evening with a reception hosted by the exhibitors. Exhibit booths, open throughout the conference, will be conveniently located near the presentation room at The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel. They will showcase the newest developments in products and services available to the blasting industry. Limited outside exhibit space will be available to display large equipment.

College of Earth and Mineral Sciences

The College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS) prepares professionals for work with earth and mineral sciences, energy resources, materials, and the environment. Twelve baccalaureate degree programs are offered, as well as an associate degree program and graduate programs in twelve areas of specialization. Additional information can be found online at www.ems.psu.edu.