Ruch: School of Mines eager to be a key player in national lab effort

By Charles Ruch, President, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
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Over the past several months, it has been my pleasure to travel throughout the country for the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. My travels have taken me to most of the major cities in our country, visiting with government offices, corporate leaders, foundation executives and many of our alumni from all generations. Almost without exception, the conversation always comes around to the DUSEL project and the possibility of it being located at Sanford Laboratory at Homestake. How are we doing? When will the deep underground science and engineering laboratory open in Lead? What a wonderful opportunity for South Dakota to become a center of scientific discovery and technological development.

DUSEL is also on the minds of many throughout the nation. The potential impact is awesome -- many view it as one of the first events truly shaping the 21st Century.

The creation of the DUSEL in South Dakota is a continuing process that has involved many players and taken many years and we are well underway. Over the past several years the case for bringing DUSEL to Homestake has been made even more compelling through several key stakeholders joining together. The governor's leadership, legislative support, South Dakota Science and Technology Authority guidance, philanthropic commitment and community interests have all helped position the state to make a compelling case to the National Science Foundation, (the federal funding agency identified to manage the project) for locating DUSEL at Homestake.

Higher education in South Dakota is also a strong partner in this endeavor, building a solid case to lead the scientific inquiry and technological development that is the core mission of DUSEL.

The School of Mines is pleased to play a role of ever-increasing impact in this project. As the state's premier science and technology university, we see the enormous potential for scientific advancement and the technological achievements that will be created. These advances will ultimately strengthen our economy and enrich our quality of life.

One of our senior faculty members, Dr. William Roggenthen, serves as one of the co-principal investigators for the NSF proposal. Under his leadership multi-disciplinary teams of scientists and engineers have laid out an exciting and comprehensive portfolio of important underground geoscience research questions and underground engineering projects that complement the initially identified physics research. This broadening of the science and engineering focus will make the DUSEL an important center of science and technology for many years to come.

A large number of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology researchers have joined researchers across the nation in their expressed interest in using the Homestake laboratories as soon as the facility is open. Our researchers are now seeking funding to support their research. We believe there are even greater opportunities for relationships with the DUSEL once it comes on line.

For more than a century, Homestake Gold Mine has played a significant role in South Dakota. As the world has moved from hard rock mining to high technology, we confidently await the NSF's decision on whether to locate the DUSEL at Homestake, and look forward to the impact that Homestake/DUSEL will have on American science and technology. South Dakota has a unique opportunity to be a significant player in our nation's quest to remain competitive in an ever-changing world economy. Homestake can once again be at the forefront of driving our state and national economy.

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