To SME, or not to SME? Reasons to attend MINEXCHANGE 2027

Every February, thousands of people gather from around the world at the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration’s MINEXCHANGE SME Annual Conference & Expo. Next year’s event will be held Feb. 28-March 3, 2027, in Denver, CO, in conjunction with the Colorado Mining Association Western Mining Summit. Why attend MINEXCHANGE? I think it varies for each person, and my personal motives for attending have evolved. What began as a technical focus shifted to networking and then into a desire to help by getting involved in the future and direction of the Society and the industry. Regardless of the motivating factor(s), MINEXCHANGE offers something for everyone. I am extremely grateful for the ability to participate, and the experiences I have had are invaluable. Let us explore what is on tap for 2027 to entice you to attend. The 2027 lineup The technical program is at the heart of the conference and will once again include presentations from hundreds of attendees covering a vast range of topics. Unit committee volunteers have assembled another outstanding program. Mineral & Metallurgical Processing Division (MPD)-specific programming will include five sessions on chemical processing, three sessions on comminution, six flotation sessions, one session on physical separations and two sessions on plant design. Special sessions will also be featured, focusing on water management and treatment; underground ventilation; critical minerals; dust control; and artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and automation. The MPD Awards Plenary Session will feature lectures from the Antoine M. Gaudin, Robert H. Richards and Milton E. Wadsworth award recipients, followed by a special panel session. Student engagement Students have a great opportunity to engage with peers and prospective future employers at MINEXCHANGE. They can showcase their research through participation in the MPD Student Poster Contest, where they display their posters and discuss their topics for a chance to win cash prizes — and what college student is not looking for a little more cash in their pocket? If they are really ambitious, student teams can participate in the Metallic Student Design Competition to evaluate a project from resource through process design. This competition takes place in phases, starting in the months preceding the conference, and the teams selected to move into the second phase will compete at MINEXCHANGE, with final judging and winners selected during the conference. The Young Leaders Committee is another great way for students to start getting involved. Social events The social events during SME are always a great time and a fantastic opportunity to catch up with friends or expand your network. The exhibit hall plays host to a number of social events throughout the conference. Monday evening is typically jam-packed with a variety of sponsored receptions spread around the downtown area. Multiple participating universities host student and alumni functions, offering a great opportunity to hear about the latest happenings from alma maters, while allowing industry professionals to engage with the next generation. The MPD also hosts a ticketed lunch on Wednesday where participants can learn about the latest happenings within the division and hear from an excellent keynote speaker addressing a relevant topic facing the industry. The event is capped by honoring the outgoing division chair with the Mill Gentleman/Lady of Distinction Award. A special poem is prepared by the past chair to honor the recipient, followed by the “passing of the gavel” to the incoming division chair. If you are not quite sold on attending yet, there is one more event to consider. On Tuesday evening, the MPD Scotch Nightcap brings down the house with live music from Bass Metals, a band of talented musicians from within our industry and led by 2023 MPD Chair Dave Meadows. Participants have the opportunity to sample various types of whisky among other beverages. Proceeds from the MPD Scotch Nightcap help to fund the division scholarships, providing opportunities for the next wave of professionals. For 2027, a limited number of commemorative rocks glasses and T-shirts will be offered for sale during the evening. This ticketed event is sure to sell out, so get your tickets early. Something for everyone In closing, MINEXCHANGE 2027 will offer something for everyone, so I encourage anyone who is able to attend. Beyond that, get involved with your local SME sections. If you are not sure whom to contact, we can assist. Volunteer to serve on a unit committee. Chair a technical session. Write a paper and give a presentation. Attend the division meetings. Get involved. Our legacy and future success of the industry will take contributions from everyone. I look forward to seeing you all in Denver.

To SME, or not to SME? Reasons to attend MINEXCHANGE 2027

Authored by: Adam House

To view the past issues of the UCA magazine you must be a member of SME/UCA.

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To view the past issues of the UCA magazine you must be a member of SME/UCA.

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