On March 25, 2026, ten students from Â鶹ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø’s Land Surveying program traveled to Allegheny Metallurgical for a field experience as part of LAND 241: Energy Resource Surveying. The group consisted of second-year students, several of whom are preparing to enter the workforce, along with others continuing into the four-year Bachelor of Science in Land Surveying and Mapping program. The students were accompanied by Jacob Petry, P.S., Licensed Professional Surveyor (WV, KY), Associate Professor of Land Surveying in the Department of Land Resources.
The visit provided an opportunity to experience modern coal mining operations firsthand. After an initial overview of the facility, the group traveled underground, where they observed active mining operations and gained direct exposure to the role of surveying in that environment.
While underground, students were introduced to both longwall mining and room-and-pillar mining methods. They observed a continuous miner in operation and saw how coal is extracted in a modern underground setting. The scale, conditions, and complexity of the operation offered a perspective that cannot be replicated in a classroom.
A key component of the visit was the opportunity to follow an underground surveying crew during active work. Students observed the use of total stations in a confined, low-light environment and watched as surveyors established control and set spads used to maintain alignment within the mine. The crew explained their workflow, challenges, and accuracy requirements, and allowed students to participate in portions of the process.
This experience directly supports the objectives of LAND 241, a course focused on how land surveyors contribute to the energy sector. Students study applications ranging from oil and gas well staking and plat development to large-scale layout for solar and wind energy projects. The underground component of coal mining adds another layer, requiring specialized training, certification, and an understanding of unique environmental and safety constraints.
For many students, the most impactful aspect of the trip was being underground. There is no substitute for standing several hundred feet below the surface and experiencing the environment firsthand. For students from West Virginia, the experience also carries cultural significance, reinforcing the connection between the profession of surveying and the state’s history and economy.
Engineers and mine personnel led the tour, explaining underground production and operations.
Beyond the technical exposure, the trip serves as a direct pathway to career opportunities. Underground mine surveying is a specialized field that requires additional certification through the West Virginia Board of Professional Surveyors. Experiences like this give students the exposure needed to determine whether they want to pursue that path and begin building the connections necessary to enter the field.
Field experiences remain a critical component of the Land Surveying program at Â鶹ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø. Opportunities like this allow students to move beyond theory and see how their skills are applied in real-world environments that are essential to the state and region."