Winkelman Quarry Hosts University of Arizona Students

CHARLOTTE, NC (January 4, 2020) - The National Gypsum® brand is known as a trusted resource for our customers, vendors, partners for decades. We are also proud to lend our expertise to the next generation of engineers, scientists, geologists and miners.

Recently, Winkelman Quarry associates partnered with the University of Arizona’s (U of A) Mining and Geological Department so that a small group of undergraduate seniors could gather information for a project for the 2021 Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME) and National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA) Design Competition. According to U of A student Will Peterson, the SME/NSSGA Design Competition is hosted by a group of volunteers who work with the SME and NSSGA. Only undergraduate students can participate, and their degree or focus must be within the natural resources sector.

Ross Adams, quarry manager, Winkelman, hosted the students on a virtual tour of the Winkelman quarry in November. He helped the students understand how the company utilizes equipment like machinery, drones and software to mine gypsum.

The virtual tour lasted over an hour as Adams shared his expertise and thoughtfully answered the students’ questions. Students were curious to know more about safety, the Company’s relationships with its neighbors, the types of software we use, how to map drill holes and what a typical day looks like for a mining engineer.

“Ross did such a great job in helping us visualize the operation,” said Peterson, who is also the SME Student Chapter Vice President of Competitions.

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Media Contact:
Beth Straeten, Corporate Communications Director
beths@nationalgypsum.com
704-365-7327

Cheryl Perry, Corporate Communications Manager
cherylp@nationalgypsum.com
704-365-7636