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What is the Responsible Mining Initiative?

In November 2013, the University of Wisconsin System awarded UW-Eau Claire a $451,000 Economic Development Incentive Grant to create a Responsible Mining Initiative (RMI). This grant was awarded to prepare highly qualified graduates for work in the mining industry, the environmental consulting industry, and in regulatory agencies such as the DNR. The “Responsibility” aspect of the RMI is largely built on the foundation of hydrogeology. In addition, students are conducting student-faculty research on many applied research topics in geology, hydrogeology, and environmental science.

RMI outcomes at a glance

  • Annual scholarships & grants of $32K
  • Paid internships up from 11 in 2015 to 22 in 2018

Partner perspective

Mathy Construction and Milestone Materials value their relationship with the UW-Eau Claire Geology Department, and we were happy to sponsor students participating in Field Camp I this year.  Bob Servais, Milestone Materials

RMI partners

  • Badger Mining Corporation
  • Barr Engineering
  • Big Rock Exploration
  • Chippewa Sands
  • Hoffman Construction
  • Maptek
  • Petroleum Connection
  • Short, Elliot, & Hendrickson (SEH) Inc.
  • Smart Sand Inc.
  • Teck Resources
  • Covia Corporation
  • Wisconsin Industrial Sand Association [WISA]
  • Northern Industrial Sands
  • Mathy Construction
Responsible Mining Initiative

UW-Eau Claire Geology discussion of Sand Mines in Wisconsin

Dr. Kent Syverson discusses the geological and political impacts of the frac sand mining boom in Wisconsin.

Watch the lecture
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