The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSM&T) has received a $280,000 donation from Maptek, leading software and services provider to the mining industry.
Maptek and the SDSM&T have created the Ziggy Hladysz Maptek Endowment in honour of the recently retired Dr Zbigniew (Ziggy) Hladysz, long-time professor and mentor to mining and engineering students.
The endowment, which will be managed by the SDSM&T Foundation, will be used for Mining Engineering Department scholarships and to maintain the Maptek Advanced Mine Design Center.
The lab, which was unveiled in 2008, serves about 200 mining, engineering and geology students. It is home to 25 computers equipped with Maptek Vulcan geological modelling and mine planning software. Maptek has more than 6,000 Vulcan licenses active at mine sites across the world.
‘The lab is unique as it is the only lab in the US solely dedicated to Vulcan training,’ said Shashi Kanth, Mining Program Department Head.
‘The support that Maptek gives to this program directly translates into high-quality students who graduate with knowledge of the industry in terms of the latest technology, making them highly sought after and more marketable.’
‘Maptek has had a long relationship with the university. Ziggy has truly been a pioneer in implementing the practical use of technology in the mining engineering curriculum,’ said Jon Larson, General Manager of Maptek North America. ‘We believe this is a great way for us to show our support to the industry.’
Larson, a SDSM&T alumnus, was one of Ziggy’s students during his 39 year professorship at the university.
‘This is an incredibly honourable way to continue Ziggy’s legacy,’ said Kanth. ‘We are very grateful for such a generous contribution from Maptek, which affects the students as well as the industry as a whole.’
About Maptek
Founded over 30 years ago, Maptek™ is a leading provider of innovative software, hardware and services for the mining industry. Maptek products, covering the complete mining cycle from exploration to reclamation, are used at more than 1700 sites in over 65 countries. Maptek Vulcan™ is one of the longest standing 3D mine planning and modelling packages. Maptek I-Site™ is an integrated hardware and software system for 3D laser scanning, surveying and imaging. Maptek BlastLogic™ provides intelligent 3D drillhole validation and load design software, while Maptek Eureka™ features an interactive 3D environment for visualising and interpreting geophysical and seismic data.
About SDSM&T
Founded in 1885, the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a science and engineering university located in Rapid City, S.D., with an enrollment of more than 2400 students from 32 countries. The SDSM&T offers 16 bachelor, 15 masters and seven doctoral degrees. The student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1, with 2012 graduates enjoying a 96 percent job placement rate and an average starting salary of $62,696. SDSM&T is one of 14 American universities offering a mining engineering program.