MPD plenary session, luncheon, Scotch Nightcap and student posters await you at MINEXCHANGE

The Mineral & Metallurgical Processing Division (MPD) of SME will host its annual MPD Plenary Session in the afternoon of Feb. 23 during the MINEXCHANGE 2026 SME Annual Conference & Expo (Feb. 22-25, Salt Lake City, UT). This session features lectures by the recipients of the prestigious Antoine M. Gaudin, Robert H. Richards and Milton E. Wadsworth awards. The award recipients present technical topics while sharing their expertise and experiences in mineral processing and extractive metallurgy. Their lectures often include personal stories and career insights that make the sessions engaging and memorable. The 2026 MPD Plenary Session promises to be just as exciting and inspiring as in previous years. It is a must-attend event for MPD members and colleagues from other divisions. This year’s presentations will feature: Jan Cilliers, the Antoine M. Gaudin Award recipient, for contributions in development and application of methods for tracking, characterizing and modeling particle motion and separation in classifiers and froth flotation processing equipment. Robert E. Mclvor, the Robert H. Richards Award recipient, for his long service and numerous contributions to the science and practice of comminution and mineral processing. Ronel Kappes, the Milton E. Wadsworth Award recipient, for her commitment to the development and transfer of flotation technology from theory to effective commercial practice for precious metals recovery worldwide. MPD Luncheon Additional MPD awards will be presented and acknowledged at the MPD Luncheon on Feb. 25, including: The Mill Gentleman of Distinction Award will be presented to Tarun Bhambhani. Sunil Kumar Tripathy will receive the Arthur F. Taggart Award for the paper “Development of Cold-Bonded Coke Briquettes for Ferrochrome Production in Submerged Arc Furnace.” The MPD Outstanding Young Engineer Award will be presented to Fangyu Liu, whose award citation states: “For his enthusiasm, initiative, and can-do attitude, backed by a strong sense of responsibility in following through to successfully completing all the projects he takes on.” James E. Gebhardt will be recognized for the Frank F. Aplan Award, which will be presented to him at the SME Awards Reception that evening, for significant contributions to fundamental and operational coal-minerals flotation chemistry and optimization/control for coal-mineral processing/hydrometallurgical operations. This year’s invited speaker is 2017 SME President John Mansanti. Mansanti has more than 45 years of experience in the mining industry and has held several leadership positions. His talk will be inspiring and insightful. MPD Unit Committee Meeting, Scotch Nightcap and Student Poster Contest Other MPD events scheduled for MINEXCHANGE 2026 include: The MPD Unit Committee Meeting on Feb. 22, which is open to all MPD members who wish to get involved in the following year’s MINEXCHANGE 2027 SME Annual Conference & Expo. The famous Scotch Nightcap scholarship fundraising event on Tuesday night, featuring MPD Past Chair David Meadows and the Bass Metals band. Commemorative whiskey glasses and T-shirts will be available for sale again this year. The MPD Student Poster Contest on Wednesday morning, preceding the MPD Luncheon. Join in the fun Your participation in these events helps the MPD raise scholarship funds and encourages and supports the future engineers and scientists within the mineral processing and extractive metallurgy field. Come join us for any or all of these events during MINEXCHANGE 2026 in beautiful Salt Lake City, UT. Get involved in your division and become more engaged with your colleagues and peers.

MPD plenary session, luncheon, Scotch Nightcap and student posters await you at MINEXCHANGE

Authored by: Aaron Noble

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