Second Annual Blast Days

	Blast Day participants at Rockydale Quarries

Last year VTCA and VA Tech Mining and Minerals Engineering conceived and conducted the first ever “Blast Day” for Virginia Tech freshman engineering students. In 2021, out of the 12 freshman engineering students who attended the inaugural Blast Day, two entered the Mining and Minerals Engineering program at VT!

Following the success of last year, VT and VTCA looked to expand the Blast Day opportunity. This year, there was enough interest to conduct two Blast Days.

VTCA Member, Rockydale Quarries, stepped up to the plate and delivered. John DePasquale and Chris Willis, Regional Managers for Rockydale Quarries, coordinated with VT to host the Blast Days.  

The Blast Days were held on September 16 at Rockydale’s Jacks Mountain Quarry and October 20 at their Roanoke Quarry. Along with viewing a production blast, 31 students toured the operations and learned about aggregate operations and the role they play in society.

A lot of good interaction occurred between students and Rockydale employees concerning showcasing parts of the industry, meeting alumni, learning about a "day in the life of a mining engineer", and being able to visualize what it is to be and work on a mine - ultimately making an informed decision on if mining engineering is a good fit for them.