UMD News Releases

David Blowes, a prominent expert on the timely and controversial subject of mine drainage, will speak in a special lecture November 8 at 4 p.m. in the UMD Life Science Lecture Hall, LSci 175. The presentation is titled "Predicting, Preventing and Remediating Acidic Drainage from Sulfide Bearing Mines and Mine Wastes". The lecture is sponsored by UMD Department of Geological Sciences. The public is cordially invited.

Mr. Blowes' presentation will provide insights into the processes that control the extent and duration of contaminant release. He will present examples of new techniques that are being developed to protect water resources from future contamination and to restore groundwater and surface water quality. In his speech, Mr. Blowes will offer examples of mine sites throughout the world, using conceptual models of the evolution of mine wastes.

Professor Blowes, an accomplished writer and lecturer on the topic of mine drainage, currently teaches in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Waterloo (Ontario, Canada). He is the Geological Society of America - Hydrogeology Division Birdsall-Dreiss Lecturer for 2006.

A member of the Waterloo Institute for Groundwater Research, Mr. Blowes, has held the Canada Research Chair in Groundwater Remediation since 2001. Mr. Blowes has also acted as a consultant for private companies and participated in review panels for government agencies in Canada, the United States, Australia and Europe.