Grad student takes top prize at SME Arizona Shark Pit competition

The Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration's Tucson division invited University of Arizona students to network with industry leaders, explore career opportunities, and compete for up to $10,000 in prizes during the SME Arizona Conference held in Tucson on Dec. 6-8.

Among the highlights was the Shark Pit competition, a Shark Tank-inspired pitch event where Chengetai Chinyadza, a master’s student in the School of Mining Engineering and Mineral Resources, won first place and $6,000 for an artificial intelligence-powered underground ventilation system designed to improve miner safety while reducing energy use.

Chinyadza’s proposal focused on using real-time data and machine learning to optimize airflow in underground mines, addressing long-standing safety and efficiency challenges.

“My inspiration is deeply rooted in both personal experience and professional exposure,” she said. “I grew up in a mining-dependent community where livelihoods relied on mining, but I also witnessed the serious consequences of unsafe working conditions.”

The Shark Pit competition debuted this year as part of the SME Arizona Conference, inviting undergraduate and graduate students to pitch safety and sustainability solutions to industry leaders. SME is an international professional organization that serves mining and minerals professionals through technical knowledge sharing, education and industry collaboration. 

Kray Luxbacher, the Gregory H. and Lisa S. Boyce Leadership Chair and head of SMEMR, said the idea for Shark Pit came from Mark Baker, an electrical and computer engineering alumnus and a member of the SME Tucson Conference Board.

“Mark is an entrepreneur, and he envisioned an activity that would encourage students to think like entrepreneurs while applying their technical knowledge,” Luxbacher said.

The judging panel included Baker; Rob Pratt, president of international mining consulting firm Call & Nicholas; and Scott Shields, general manager of sales for Komatsu North America. Each judge brought extensive industry experience in mine design, consulting and equipment manufacturing.

A novel approach to underground ventilation

Chinyadza’s winning proposal centered on an AI-enhanced, data-driven ventilation system that dynamically adjusts airflow based on real-time conditions, including worker location, equipment activity, temperature and gas concentrations.

Rather than relying on fixed ventilation schedules, the system would use machine learning models to analyze sensor data and respond immediately to changing underground conditions. This approach improves air quality while lowering energy consumption and operating costs, a key concern for mining operations.

Beyond the competition prize, Chinyadza said the experience offered exposure to industry professionals. 

“This platform helped industry leaders see the practical value of my work and opened the door to potential collaboration,” she said.

Luxbacher said competitions like Shark Pit prepare students for careers beyond academic research by teaching them how to clearly communicate complex ideas to non-academic audiences.

“These experiences challenge our students to think critically about real-world problems and explain their solutions in a way that resonates with industry decision-makers,” Luxbacher said. “Mining professionals must communicate effectively with workers, community members, financial stakeholders and technical teams.”