1. Brian Neil Shaffer
171 Ferncliff Road, Rices Landing, PA 15357
Home Phone – 724-592-5196 Cell Phone - 724-710-5230 E-mail - bnshaffer18@gmail.com
GEOLOGIST AND PROJECT MANAGER
Professional Geologist Experienced in Managing Projects to Successful Completion
PG-licensed field geology project manager with experience directing drilling and geology projects.
Management of all phases of drilling and geology projects, including planning, budgeting, permitting,
implementation, and closeout/wrap-up. Completed projects in a safe, timely, and economical manner.
Accustomed to working in a multidisciplinary environment on teams composed of mine management, engineers,
environmental personnel, land representatives, consultants, and contractors.
Strong technical writing and verbal communications skills developed communicating geological information to
all levels, from hourly employees and frontline supervisors to mine management and company executives, as
well as to consultants, governmental agencies, and private landowners.
EXPERTISE
Project Management: Exploration Drilling, Geologic Influence Mapping, Reserve Evaluations, Coalbed Methane
Degasification, Acquisition Projects, Ground Control Plans, Radio Imaging Methods (RIM)
Surveys, Coal Quality Modelling, Rock Mechanics Testing and Analysis
Technical Tools: AutoCAD, Carlson Software (SurvCAD), Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MINCOM
EXPERIENCE
ALPHA NATURAL RESOURCES (Waynesburg, PA)
Senior Manager Geology May, 2010 to April, 2015
Supervised staff of 3 geologists that provided geologic services to Alpha’s Northern Appalachian Mines in
a safe, professional manner to insure that those mines maintained safety, productivity, profitability, and
compliance to state and federal regulations.
Developed and instituted a systematic geology program for Amfire Mining that provided geologic services
including exploration drilling management, geologic mapping, geotechnical evaluations, and coal quality
mapping. Initiated a similar geology program for Brooks Run Mining (Central WV).
Conducted geological investigations and mapping, in both longwall and low coal mines, to proactively
identify adverse geologic conditions. Reported investigations through verbal and written reports to mine
management and engineering staffs in order to improve safety, productivity, and compliance, as well as to
optimize mine layouts and to formulate geotechnical data utilized in roof control plans.
Prepared reserve evaluations for active mines, company-controlled reserves, and for prospects. These
evaluations added value to Alpha Natural Resources by expanding their reserve base and contributed to
the sustainability of active mining operations.
ALPHA NATURAL RESOURCES (Waynesburg, PA)
Geologist, Sr. Geologist, Chief Geologist, June, 1989 to May, 2010
Supervised field geologists and geology co-op students that provided geologic services, including
implementation of exploration drilling programs, description and sampling of core samples, geologic
database compilation and management, and geologic mapping, to Pennsylvania Services’ longwall
operations. Those services were provided in a safe, professional manner to insure that the mines
maintained safety, productivity, profitability, and compliance to state and federal regulations.
Managed and provided geologic services, including exploration drilling, geologic mapping, geotechnical
evaluations, coal quality mapping, and coalbed degasification activities for Pennsylvania Services’ longwall
operations.
2. Developed geological reports and maps for longwall mining operations in order to proactively identify
adverse geologic conditions. Communicated projected geologic conditions through verbal and written
reports to mine management and engineering staffs in order to improve safety, productivity, and
compliance, as well as to optimize mine layouts and to formulate geotechnical data utilized in roof control
plans.
Served as a geologic consultant on corporate engineering teams for several acquisition and mine
development projects. Responsible for the preparation of reserve evaluations, geologic maps, and
geotechnical reports for the projects.
Supervised exploration activities for several undeveloped coal blocks in Greene County, PA.
Approximately 250 exploration coreholes were drilled to further define and delineate coal thickness and
geologic conditions within these reserve blocks.
EDUCATION
West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, MS – Geology, 1992
Juniata College, Huntingdon, PA, BS – Geology, 1988
CERTIFICATIONS
Registered Professional Geologist (PG), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 1993
Certified Mine Examiner, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 1999
MSHA Certified Instructor, Underground Mining and Hazard Recognition Training, 2001
ACTIVITIES
Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME), 1993-present; Pittsburgh Section Board of Directors
(2003-present); Pittsburgh Section Executive Officer (2009-2012); Pittsburgh Section Chair (2013-14); Pittsburgh
Section Past Chair (present); Advisory Panel – Mining in Society Merit Badge (2013-2014)
Geological Society of America (GSA), 1993-present; Mentor – Geology in Industry (2007-2011)