Montana Tech students explore Montana Tech's underground mine “Orphan'' on Wednesday, Feb. 2, during a hands-on underground mining class with Scott Rosenthal, associate professor and dean of the Department of Mining Engineering.・The mud and rocks inside “Boy” were excavated, pried open, and trampled. 21. Orphan Boy, which records in the Butte-Silver-Bow Archives indicate existed as early as 1875, was acquired by Montana Tech University in 2010 and is now part of the Underground Mining Education Center ( UMEC) was developed. It is also the only on-campus underground mine in the country, Rosenthal said. “We have long had a reputation for being hands-on. They can learn about rock bolting and blasting and use what they learn in their classrooms.” The 46th International Mining Competition will be held on campus from Monday 21st to 23rd, with teams from around the world competing in seven different events.
Marshall Cornwall uses a jackleg drill to drill a blast hole during an underground mining hands-on class Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, at Montana Tech's Orphan Boy Mine.
Joseph Scherer, Montana Standard
Scott Rosenthal (left), associate professor and dean of the Department of Mining Engineering at Montana Tech University, works with underground mining lab students on a new variable frequency drive fan at the Orphan Boy Mine on Wednesday, February 21, 2024. Discuss installation.
Joseph Scherer, Montana Standard
Montana Tech students work on installing a new variable frequency drive fan during a hands-on underground mining class Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, at Orphan Boy Mine.
Joseph Scherer, Montana Standard
Austin Murphy stands next to Scott Rosenthal and watches as he drives a mining-specific front-end loader during a hands-on underground mining class at Montana Tech's Orphan Boy Mine on Wednesday, February 21, 2024. Nick Warman.
Joseph Scherer, Montana Standard
Kylie Accord practices jackleg drilling during an underground mining hands-on class Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, at Montana Tech's Orphan Boy Mine.
Joseph Scherer, Montana Standard
The light from Joseph Williams' helmet lights up his fellow students as they practice jackleg drilling during an underground mining hands-on class at Montana Tech's Orphan Boy Mine on Wednesday, February 21, 2024. Cutting through the darkness.
Joseph Scherer, Montana Standard
Joseph Scheller is a staff photographer for the Montana Standard. Contact him at: joseph.scheller@mtstandard.com
