Tucson meeting underlines infinite thinking in the realm of mining

The SME Arizona Conference, centered on the development, innovations and technological advances in the mining industry was held Dec. 8-9 in Tucson, AZ. Attendees had the opportunity to expand their professional networks, attend region-specific technical sessions and learn about new projects in the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico. Technically driven “For me, this conference is very technically driven, and you get a fantastic crowd that isn’t just local to Arizona,” said program chair Joseph Keffer, chief engineer for Hydraulics and Pumping at Freeport-McMoRan. “I thought the conference went extremely smoothly, and in my personal opinion this year had the best program since I began going in 2017.” Prior to the main events on Sunday and Monday, the weekend kicked off with the annual Diggers & Duffers Golf Tournament, an ongoing tradition for the University of Arizona’s SME Student Chapter that acts as the primary fundraiser. The tournament teed off on Saturday at 6 a.m. and ended at 3 p.m. Registration included 18 holes of golf, exclusive goodie bags, unlimited driving-range access and golf carts. On Sunday, attendees had the opportunity to attend two different workshops: Controlling Acid Mist Pollution for Copper Electrowinning Facilities, and Contemporary Mentoring as a Lever for DEIB. The day concluded with the opportunity to let loose in the evening at the AMIGOS Casino Night. On Monday, the morning opened with a keynote session sponsored by GHD, Capstone Copper, SLR Consulting and Freeport-McMoRan. Christopher N. Hatton, senior vice president, geotechnical engineer and technical fellow at WSP, delivered an insightful presentation titled “Advice for the Future Engineer of Record: Avoid at All Costs.” Introduced by Jesus Romero, Hatton’s address set the tone for an engaging technical program promoting forward thinking. Hatton, drawing from his extensive experience, focused on crucial themes for younger engineers entering the field. With a cautionary yet optimistic perspective, he highlighted troubling trends, while sharing actionable advice for navigating the complexities of modern engineering. A key theme of his talk was humility. “You don’t know it all. You never will,” said Hatton, reminding professionals that success lies in collaboration and collective expertise. An authority on tailings management, Hatton shared insights from three chapters of SME’s Tailing Management Handbook: A Lifecycle Approach, edited by Kimberly Finke Morrison. He stressed that “one size does not fit all” in the world of engineering, particularly in the context of dam safety and tailings facilities. His reflections aimed to foster a mindset that embraced lifelong learning, adaptability and teamwork. Infinite game Throughout his presentation, Hatton urged professionals to approach their careers as part of an “infinite game,” focusing on continuous improvement rather than finite wins. In this context, infinite thinkers, he argued, were better equipped to navigate uncertainty and thrive in the long run. His talk set the stage for the day’s technical sessions, which covered a range of topics within the mining industry. Following his speech, the morning technical sessions commenced, centered on the topics of environmental, geotechnical and mineral processing. The environmental technical session delivered a wealth of insights into sustainable practices, regulatory updates and community engagement for mining operations. Moderated by Lee-Anna Walker of Freeport-McMoRan, the session brought together a panel of experts who explored critical issues facing the mining industry today. Outside the session room, a student poster session was in progress, with posters displayed for attendees to converse with students between sessions. “I loved that we had 20 student posters, and all the students were able to interact with the overall conference,” said Keffer. The session opened with Trevor Carlson, a remediation specialist with more than 30 years of experience, stepping in for Matt Williams. Carlson and Kirk Craig, both senior principals, discussed integrated water management throughout the life of a mine. Carlson emphasized the importance of diverse strategies for water sustainability, introducing innovative technologies to manage aquifers effectively. Craig highlighted the mounting pressures on water resources, particularly in the arid Southwest, and advocated for the “one water” concept — a holistic approach that treats all water sources as interconnected systems. He underscored the necessity of innovation in water management, given Arizona’s reliance on over-allocated resources like the Colorado River. Mike Sonenberg of Freeport-McMoRan then provided an update on air quality regulations, detailing significant changes from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). He outlined key developments, stressing the importance of staying ahead of regulatory changes to maintain environmental and operational standards. Lastly, Lee Decker of Gallagher & Kennedy provided a legal perspective on water quality regulations affecting Arizona mining operations. He delved into aquifer protection permits, new water quality standards and the evolving scope of the federal Clean Water Act, and emphasized the continued importance of compliance with state and local permits, including the Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (AZPDES). Tribal engagement The session concluded with a presentation by Avi Buckles and Bernadette Carra of West Land Resources, focusing on tribal engagement during mining developments. Buckles and Carra detailed the importance of proactive collaboration with indigenous tribes, particularly in cultural resource management. Their presentation reinforced the idea that meaningful tribal consultation can benefit projects while honoring the deep connections tribes have to their traditional lands. Once the morning technical sessions wrapped up, attendees gathered within the Grand Ballroom for lunch with an accompanying speech by speaker A. Cory Stevens, senior vice president and president of FM Technical Services at Freeport-McMoRan. Stevens explored the theme of evolving mining strategies to meet future growth, emphasizing the importance of innovation, cost optimization and systems thinking. Systems thinking Drawing from his vast experience at one of the world’s largest copper producers, Stevens underscored the growing challenges the mining industry faces as ore grades decline and resources become more difficult to extract. “We have to squeeze more out of the rock, but there’s less rock to squeeze,” he said, highlighting the industry’s need to continuously adapt its approach to resource extraction. Stevens acknowledged that traditional methods of mining, like haul truck versus conveyor belt choices, needed a fresh perspective to push the boundaries of efficiency. To this end, Freeport-McMoRan had gathered a group of high-performing, mid-career professionals to rethink the company’s strategies. They applied systems thinking, which, as Stevens explained, provides a more holistic view of the mining business. By breaking down the individual components and interconnecting them, they were able to optimize processes beyond simply reducing mining costs. Stevens highlighted the importance of viewing mining as an integrated system, rather than isolated actions. His reference to “infinite thinking” echoed the earlier themes from Hatton’s speech, underscoring long-term planning while being adaptable to the challenges and opportunities that arise. He emphasized that there is no silver-bullet solution to mining’s complex challenges; instead, the key lies in combining multiple technologies with systems thinking for impactful results, stressing the importance of collaboration across the industry. “Innovation is about finding new ways to do things,” Stevens concluded, reinforcing the idea that it will take a collective effort to meet the demands of the future. Shortly after his speech, attendees gathered for the afternoon technical sessions, including a discourse of overarching themes within the mining industry, various projects and strategies within Mexico, and the systems and models of geology. Mine optimization The mining technical session showcased a series of presentations addressing critical issues facing the mining industry today. The session featured four speakers, who shared their expertise on optimizing mine planning, improving design efficiency and ensuring the success of capital projects. The first presentation, “We Have a Mine Plan, Now What?” was delivered by Chris Little from South32. He provided an in-depth look at the development of the Hermosa Project, a major zinc-lead-silver and manganese-zinc-silver deposit in Arizona. Little outlined the evolution of the mine design, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvements in underground mine systems, dewatering and overall efficiency. He discussed the project’s operational readiness, noting that creating systems to optimize safety, productivity and workforce involvement was key to maintaining sustainable operations. Following this, Harsh Ghatora of Ausenco took the stage to explore “How to Drive Shareholder Value Through Optimized Design.” Ghatora presented the case for optimizing mining projects by balancing capital costs with operational efficiency. His presentation highlighted the importance of early-stage planning, demonstrating through two case studies how optimized design could result in cost savings of up to 75 percent. Next, Chase McQuillen from Loenbro tackled “The Importance of Pre-Construction to the Success of Capital Projects.” McQuillen focused on the pivotal role of pre-planning in construction, especially in the mining sector, stressing the need for a site-specific safety plan, quality assurance protocols and production planning. McQuillen highlighted the dangers of poor planning, including unrealistic schedules and inadequate mobilization, which could lead to costly delays. His key takeaway was that good planning takes time, and early contractor involvement is essential for laying the groundwork for a successful project. The final presentation of the session, “Critical Pit Dewatering and Design Considerations,” was delivered by Landon Lines of Burns & McDonnell. Lines explored the complexities of managing water in mining operations, especially in pit dewatering. He discussed the importance of proactive and reactive dewatering systems, explaining how different types of water, such as clear or dirty water, require distinct handling methods. New projects The new-project session then commenced, showcasing the final presentations for the day before the networking reception. This session provided a forward-looking view of some of the most promising developments in the mining industry, featuring five presentations highlighting innovative projects that blend cutting-edge technology with sustainable practices. “The new-projects session is always my favorite and always the best attended,” said Keffer. “Everyone wants to know about new up-and-coming projects in Arizona.” Dewatered tailings, geophysical data and Antler, Hermosa and Van Dyke projects Kaci Jenkins from Rio Tinto kicked off the session with a deep dive into the benefits of dewatered tailings. Jenkins detailed the tangible advantages, such as reduced water usage, smaller storage areas and minimized environmental risk, and outlined Rio Tinto’s forward-looking strategies. The company is working to accelerate the commissioning process for filtered tailings through testbed designs and collaborative knowledge, sharing with partners like BHP. Jenkins emphasized that Rio Tinto’s efforts aim not only to reduce tailings risks but also to codify best practices for the entire mining industry. Kyle Lindahl of New World Resources followed with information on the Antler Project, located in Arizona, the heart of U.S. copper production. Lindahl presented the environmentally responsible mine plan, which features a zero-discharge facility, dewatered tailings and underground mining to minimize the project’s footprint. He highlighted the project’s community engagement strategy, which prioritizes local employment, supplier agreements and remediation of legacy waste. Once operational, the Antler Project is poised to have a significant positive economic impact on the region while maintaining rigorous environmental standards. Next, Skylie Estep from South32 provided an update on the Hermosa Project, emphasizing its role in sustainable mining. As the largest private investment in Southern Arizona’s history, the project combines high-grade zinc resources, manganese deposits and an expansive exploration package of 45,000 acres. Estep outlined milestones for the next few years, including the completion of battery-grade manganese test plants, workforce training and the start of zinc production in 2027. With innovations such as battery-electric vehicles and advanced tailings management, the Hermosa Project aims to set a new benchmark for sustainability in the mining sector. Ross Taylor from Viridien Group presented on exploration efforts in southeast Arizona. He showcased the use of new geophysical data, acquired in 2023–2024, to refine geological models and identify mineralized targets. Taylor emphasized the importance of integrating borehole attribution and structural interpretation to enhance exploration accuracy. With this data-driven approach, Viridien Group is uncovering potential opportunities hidden beneath the surface, advancing exploration in a region known for its mineral wealth. The session concluded with Elmer B. Stewart of Copper Fox Metals discussing the Van Dyke ISCR Project in Globe, AZ. Stewart highlighted the project’s century-long history and its potential for socioeconomic impact, projecting an annual production of 85 million lb of copper. He underscored the project’s small environmental footprint and shared results from recent solubility and mineralogical tests that suggest strong economic feasibility. Stewart’s presentation underscored the transformative potential of in situ copper recovery (ISCR) technologies for Arizona’s mining industry. Hopeful outlook The 2024 SME Arizona Conference concluded with a powerful emphasis on innovation, collaboration and sustainable practices that will shape the future of mining in the Southwestern United States and beyond. The conference discussed the mining industry’s positive development, providing a hopeful outlook for its future. Speaking on the state of the mining industry, Keffer revealed his thoughts on the industry’s health saying, “Currently, I think the mining industry is in a great place.” He continued, “Between copper prices and the increasing demand for not just copper but all precious metals and materials, the mining industry should continue to grow. I also think the public perception of mining is changing in a positive way. The only unhealthy aspect of mining I can think of at the moment is the depletion of copper grades throughout the U.S. alongside the increased demand. We need to find ways to open new mines safely and in a timely manner.” Over the course of two days, industry leaders, experts and students came together to share insights, explore cutting-edge technologies and discuss strategies to address the pressing challenges facing the mining sector. From keynote speeches to technical sessions and poster presentations, the event provided attendees with a comprehensive look at the advancements driving the industry forward.

Tucson meeting underlines infinite thinking in the realm of mining

Authored by: Carrie Smith

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