Continuing Education Lifelong Learning Alabama Energy Mining and Mineral Institute

Alabama Energy Mining and Mineral Institute

Excavators and construction equipment breaking into the ground

Alabama Energy Mining and Mineral Institute

October 16-17, 2025, Tuscaloosa, AL

The 2025 Alabama Energy Mining and Mineral Institute will be held October 16-17 at the Bryant Conference Center in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. We look forward to seeing you there!

Institute Overview

Are you involved in mine construction and development? Are you interested in health and environmental issues like water policy and mining regulations in Alabama? Do you have a career or interest in geology or coalbed methane? If so, make plans to attend the next Alabama Energy Mining and Mineral Institute. In addition to presenting interesting and up-to-date sessions on the previously mentioned topics, the Alabama Energy Mining and Mineral Institute is particularly valuable for professional engineers and geologists; it will get you approved continuing education credits!

Available DatesOctober 16-17, 2025
LocationBryant Conference Center
240 Paul W. Bryant Drive
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487
LodgingHotel Capstone

Who Should Attend

Anyone interested in mining, geology, water policy, mine construction and regulation, health and environmental issues, coal bed methane and related subjects should participate.

Professional Development Hours

Professional engineers and geologists will be able to use the Institute for their Professional Development Hours (PDH) requirement. Full participation in the 2-day meeting will constitute PDH credits. Approval for a specific number of PDH credit are currently in process and will be posted here once approved.

Reasons to attend in the words of prior attendees:

How current government actions are currently affecting and will affect the industry in the near future.

Continuing ED credits; environmental information; electrical safety.

I am so grateful for this program. As a PE, the continued education plus PDH’s is valuable beyond simple narrative.

Agenda

Thursday, October 16th
TimeSessionSpeaker(s)
8:00am-8:15amWelcome
8:15am-9:15amTBA
9:15am-10:15amCoal Ash Beneficial Use & Critical Mineral Recovery: Utility Perspectives on Commercial Deployment and Supply Chain DevelopmentRichard A. Esposito, Ph.D.

Southern Company Services, Inc.
10:15am – 10:30amBreak
10:30 am – 11:30pmMining and Recycling as a Living SystemDr. Priscilla P. Nelson

Professor, Department of Mining Engineering

Colorado School of Mines
11:30am-12:30pmLunch
12:30pm-12:45pmAFTERNOON INTRODUCTIONS
12:45pm-1:45pmOffice of Archaeology – Mining/Construction RequirementsMatthew Gage, Ph.D., RPA Director, Office of Archaeological Research, University of Alabama
1:45pm-2:45pmRecent Project Overviews and Reclaimed FeaturesMatt Trousdale

Senior GIS Specialist, Alabama Department of Workforce
2:45pm-3:00pmBreak
3:00pm-4:00pmHigh Definition Stream Survey of Hurricane Creek, AL: Balancing Development and Reclamation with Comprehensive DataBrett Connell

Hydrologist, Director of Sales,

Trutta Environmental Solutions LLC
4:00pmAdjourn
Friday, October 17th
TimeSessionSpeaker(s)
8:00am-8:15amWelcome
8:15am-9:15amTBA
9:15am-10:15amCombustible Dust MitigationDr. Christopher F. Schemel

Executive Director, UA SafeState,

The University of Alabama
10:15am – 10:30amBreak
10:30 am – 11:30pmDrilling & Blasting Practices In Aggregate Operations: Best Practices and Emerging TechnologiesNick Lewis, Corporate Manager of Drilling and Blasting, Vulcan Materials Company
11:30am-12:30pmLunch
12:30pm-12:45pmAFTERNOON INTRODUCTIONSJosh Rivers, Jasmine Rainey
1:00pm-4:00pmField Trip Location TBATransportation provided by UA Crimson Ride
4:00pmAdjourn

Workshop Location and Lodging

A discounted room block has been reserved at the Hotel Capstone for conference attendees. The nightly rate is $134 and the last day to book in the block is September 15, 2025. The hotel is conveniently located directly next door to the Bryant Conference Center.

Directions

Parking Your Vehicle

Attendees can park at the Capstone Parking Deck, which is located across the street from the Bryant Conference Center. A limited number of handicap parking spaces are available in front of the Conference Center. Approximately one week prior to the conference start date, you will receive a parking permit. The parking permit will only be valid for the Capstone Parking Deck and the handicap spaces in front of the Bryant Conference Center.

Hotel Accommodations

HotelHotel Capstone
320 Paul W Bryant Dr,
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
205-752-3200
Cost$134/night
Distance from conferencewithin walking distance from the Bryant Conference Center
Room Block DatesOctober 16-17
Reservation DeadlineSeptember 15, 2025

Make your hotel reservation online:

Only the dates and room types contracted are available at the contracted rate — rooms requested outside of your block dates or different room types are based on availability and at the prevailing rate.

Book your room by phone:

  • The Agent will ask for an email address, so that we may email your confirmation letter. They will also be able to provide the confirmation number for you over the phone.
  • Please be prepared with your payment method as it will be required to make a reservation over the phone.

Workshop Registration

Registration Fee

  • Early Bird Rate: $205.00
  • Standard Rate: $230.00

*Early bird rates expire September 22, 2025!

*Please note, if you are registering more than one person, each must have an individual email address to utilize the online registration system.


Register by Phone

Our Registration Services Office is open Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. To register by phone, or for inquiries regarding your registration, please call 205-348-3000.

Special Accommodation Requests

The University of Alabama is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Requests for accommodation of physical and/or dietary needs should be made at least 30 calendar days in advance of the program date. Please email your request to professionaldevelopment@ua.edu. A portion of the invoice amount for this program will go to the Capstone Lifelong Learning Foundation to support activities of The University of Alabama and the Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education.

Need our STAARS Vendor Number? Use VC000118827 for UA Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education.

Refunds and Cancellations Policy

A cancellation charge of 100% of the registration fee will be assessed on cancellations occurring within seven (7) days of the start of this session. Refunds will not be granted after the program has begun. The University of Alabama reserves the right to cancel, postpone or combine class sections, to limit registration or to change instructors. To cancel your registration, contact the Registration Services department at 205-348-3000 or registration_services@ua.edu. View the OTIDE Cancellation Policy.

Get Involved!

If you are interested in making a presentation or would like to suggest a speaker and/or topic, please contact Emily Townsend at 205-348-0356 or professionaldevelopment@ua.edu. Agenda slots are limited, so please consider an early commitment.

Questions about the event?

Contact Emily Townsend for more information. For inquiries regarding your registration, please call Registration Services 205-348-3000.

Planning Committee

Dr. David Carpenter, Integrity Institute of Technology

david@integrityco.com


Bennett L. Bearden, J.D., Geological Survey of Alabama

bbearden@gsa.state.al.us 


Dr. Richard Esposito, Southern Company

RAESPOSI@southernco.com


Greg Guthrie, Geo Survey

gguthrie@gsa.state.al.us


Richard Katz, Jim Walter Resources (Retired)

rkatz@jwrinc.com


Wade Keeton, Drummond Company, Inc.

wkeeton@drummondco.com


Jeff Kerr

kerrje@vmcmail.com


Michael Rasbury, The University of Alabama

mrasbury@ccs.ua.edu


Kalyn Tew, The University of Alabama

kjtew@ua.edu


Nick Tew, State Geologist of Alabama

ntew@gsa.state.al.us


John Whitmore, Geo Survey

jwhitmore@gsa.state.al.us


Jennifer Hayes, The University of Alabama

jhayes@ua.edu.