Every February, thousands of people gather from around the world at the MINEXCHANGE SME Annual Conference & Expo. The 2025 event will be held Feb. 23-26, 2025 in Denver, CO, in conjunction with the Colorado Mining Association 127th National Western Mining Conference and World Gold 2025. But why attend MINEXCHANGE? We’ll come back to that question, but first, some reflection on my personal journey.
I joined SME as a student at Montana Tech. At the time, I wasn’t really sure what SME was, let alone why anyone should be a member or attend the SME annual conference. I had the same thoughts as a student member of TMS as well. Students were encouraged to attend one of the two societies’ annual conferences, but I don’t recall a persuasive basis upon which to choose between them. The TMS conference was scheduled for New Orleans that year and without any better selection criteria, I chose based solely on the location — I was over 21 and ready to be loosed on “The Big Easy.” Unfortunately, as a poor college student, paying for conference registration, airfare, lodging, meals and more was not in the cards, so I ultimately passed on attending.
A few years later, I was gainfully employed as a young plant metallurgist working in Nevada. My employer encouraged SME membership and conference attendance, so off I went to Denver to attend my first SME conference in February 2004. I was hungry for knowledge and attended every technical session I could manage. I wandered the exhibit hall floor in awe of the number of booths and vendors. I was also able to meet some colleagues from other sites and from our corporate office.
The following year, I gave a presentation at the Northeastern Nevada SME meeting in Elko, but despite how much I enjoyed my first two experiences with SME, I wouldn’t attend another annual conference until 2010 in Phoenix, AZ. At that point, my role had changed, and I was working as the owner’s project manager for a new copper heap leach and SX/EW plant. I attended some technical sessions, authored a paper and gave a presentation on my project. But most of my time was spent meeting new people as I targeted engineering firms, reagent suppliers and equipment vendors for my project while in the heart of copper country. With the exhibit hall, it was very convenient that many of those I wanted to meet with were contained in one place.
A few years passed again. The mining industry was not in a great position in 2014, so I presented at a local conference organized by the SME Colorado MPD Subsection, which was ultimately the catalyst for recruitment onto the committee. When I returned to the annual conference in 2015 as a consultant, I was presented with an opportunity to get engaged beyond just attendance. A former colleague asked if I would be interested in participating on the MPD Plant Design Unit Committee. I said that I might but requested additional clarification on the expectations and time commitment. I did not get a response to my question, but soon thereafter I received an email from SME thanking me for volunteering, and I have been fortunate enough to attend every annual conference since. My roles have continued to expand to award committee, strategic committee, Colorado MPD committee and even MPD Executive Committee assignments.
Coming back to the question of “Why attend SME?” 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 to 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. The experiences I have had are invaluable.
2025 lineup
Next, let us explore what is on tap for 2025 to entice you to attend. The technical program is at the heart of the conference and will once again include presentations from hundreds of attendees covering a range of topics. Unit committee volunteers have assembled another outstanding program. MPD specific programming will include six sessions on chemical processing, two on comminution, six on flotation, one on physical separations and two on plant design. A special four-session symposium honoring Dr. Komar Kawatra is also planned, and the MPD Awards Plenary Session will feature lectures from the Antoine M. Gaudin, Robert H. Richards and Milton E. Wadsworth award recipients.
In addition, the MPD Plant Design Unit Committee will continue a special three-part series that is intended to span the project lifecycle. The first part, launched at MINEXCHANGE 2024, was on project development. The second part in 2025 will focus on detailed engineering and construction. The panel will be made up of industry experts, bringing engineering, construction, end-user and corporate perspectives to a facilitated discussion that is sure to result in some lively debate that you would not want to miss.
World Gold 2025 will host a dedicated program, consisting of approximately eight dedicated sessions focused on the yellow metal. World Gold seeks to engage academia and industry to promote the exchange of ideas, the sharing of technical advances, and the promotion of innovation and sustainability in the gold industry.
Students have a unique opportunity to engage with peers and prospective future employers. They can showcase their research through participation in the MPD Student Poster Contest, where students display their posters and discuss their topics with a panel of judges for a chance to win cash prizes. What college student isn’t 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. The competition takes place in phases in the months preceding the conference. 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.
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 the 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 Mineral & Metallurgical Processing Division and listen to the keynote speaker addressing relevant topics facing the industry. The event is capped off by honoring the outgoing MPD 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 the Bass Metals band, consisting of talented musicians from within our industry and led by 2023 MPD Chair Dave Meadows. Participants have the opportunity to sample various types of Scotch, among other beverages. Proceeds from the MPD Scotch Nightcap help to fund our division’s scholarships, providing opportunities for the next wave of professionals. For 2025, a limited number of commemorative rocks glasses and T-shirts will also be available during the evening. This ticketed event is sure to sell out, so get your tickets early.
In closing, the MINEXCHANGE 2025 SME Annual Conference & Expo will offer something for everyone, so I encourage anyone who is able to attend.
Beyond that, get involved with your local SME sections. 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 the future success of the industry will require contributions by everyone. I look forward to seeing you all in Denver.
