Committees

The Committee shall review the nominations for the IM&AD Frank A. Alsobrook Distinguished Service Award and select the recipient.

The Cindy Moore Courageous Impact Award was established to recognize the outstanding achievements and lasting impact of women in mining or the mine service industry. The award is sponsored by Hecla Mining. The annual award will be given to a woman in the mining or the mine service industry that: (1) has shown leadership, mentorship, and enthusiasm for the industry and (2) is making or has made a lasting impact on the industry.

Members of this committee are nominated from within the Inclusion and Diversity Committee.

SME members: to self-nominate for a position on the I&D committee, please email your resume and statement of interest to volunteer@smenet.org.

The Howard L. Hartman Award, established in 1989, recognizes distinguished contributions in practice, teaching or research in the field of underground ventilation engineering.

The Committee shall review the nominations for the Rock Mechanics Award and select the recipient. The Rock Mechanics Award is awarded to recognize distinguished contributions toward the advancement of rock mechanics.

The Committee shall review the nominations for the Aplan Award and select the recipient. The Frank F. Aplan Award (Aplan Award) recognizes engineering or scientific contributions that further the understanding of the technology of coal and/or mineral engineering. Eligible areas of recognition include agglomeration, classification, comminution, electrical and magnetic separation, flocculation and sedimentation, froth flotation, and other related processing operations.

The Award is administered by SME’s Coal & Energy Division.

The Erskine Ramsay Award Committee is responsible for reviewing the nominations for the Erskine Ramsay Award and selecting the recipient. The Ramsay Award recognizes distinguished achievement in coal mining to include both bituminous coal and anthracite.

The Howard N. Eavenson Award Committee is responsible for reviewing the nominations for the Howard N. Eavenson Award and selecting the recipient. The Eavenson Award recognizes distinguished contributions to the advancement of coal mining.

The Committee selects the recipient(s) of the J.W. Woomer Award. This award brings recognition of engineering professionalism to young people working in the coal industry.

The Committee selects the recipient of the annual Percy W. Nicholls Award. Established in 1942, funded by AIME and ASME in alternating years, the Percy W. Nicholls Award is given for notable scientific or industrial achievement in the field of solid fuels.

The Committee shall review all applications for the Coal & Energy Division Scholarship and the John Sidney Marshall Scholarship and select the recipient(s).

The Committee selects the recipient(s) of the Stefanko Best Paper Award. The Coal & Energy Division Stefanko Best Paper Award is awarded to recognize authors presenting papers in the Coal & Energy Division technical sessions for their contributions to the body of knowledge.

The Environmental Division Benefactor Award is administered by the SME Environmental Division Executive Committee.

The Committee shall review the nominations for the Environmental Division Distinguished Service Award recipient.

The Committee shall review all applications for the EVD Scholarship and select the recipient(s).

The Committee shall review the nominations for the SME/AIME Environmental Stewardship Distinguished Service Award and select the recipient.

This committee will develop nominations for Division committees and the Division’s awards including, but not limited to: ensuring a representative slate of nominees (from the committee and the public), promoting and recruiting nominations for each award, providing a slate of nominees for each award to the S&H Division executive committee for their adjudication, maintaining confidentiality regarding all aspects of the nomination and award selection process, working with SME staff to ensure physical awards are prepared for presentation at H&S Division award breakfast at the annual SME conference and exposition.

The Committee shall review all applications for the IM&AD Scholarship and select the recipient(s).

The Wallace Scholarship is awarded annually to a master’s degree candidate in geology or geological science who plans to pursue a career in the field of exploration geology.

The Hal Williams Hardinge Award Committee is responsible for reviewing the nominations for the Hal Williams Hardinge Award and selecting the recipient. The Hardinge Award recognizes outstanding achievements in the field of industrial minerals.

The Young Scientist Award is administered by SME’s Industrial Minerals & Aggregates Division (IM&AD) Executive Committee.

The Ivan B. Rahn Education Award recognizes distinguished contributions to the educational activities within SME. The Rahn Award is open to all SME members who have shown long-term interest in and have significantly contributed to SME activities relating to the Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology (ABET), student affairs, continuing education, professional registration, and/or the Council of Education (not necessarily an educator).

Members of this Award Committee are nominated by their Division. Contact your Division for more information.

The Committee shall review the nominations for the Douglas Award and select the recipient. The James Douglas Gold Medal (Douglas Award) recognizes distinguished achievement in nonferrous metallurgy, including both the beneficiation of ores and the alloying and utilization of nonferrous metals.

The Committee shall review the nominations for the Outstanding Young Engineer Award and select the recipient. The Outstanding Young Engineer Award recognizes significant contributions of a young individual within the Mineral Processing-Extractive discipline

The Committee shall review the nominations for the Gaudin Award and select the recipient. The Gaudin Award is given for scientific or engineering contributions that further the understanding of the technology of mineral processing. Eligible areas for contributions are agglomeration, classification, comminution, electrical and magnetic separation, flocculation and sedimentation, froth flotation, hydrometallurgy, particulate behavior, and other related mineral processing operations.

The Taggart Award is made for the paper or series of closely related papers with at least one common author, which, in the opinion of the Committee, represents a notable contribution to the science of mineral processing. The Committee shall review the eligible papers and select the recipient.

The Committee shall review the nominations for the Milton E. Wadsworth Award and select the recipient. The Committee is also responsible for soliciting and/or submitting nominations as appropriate/necessary. The Wadsworth Award recognizes distinguished contributions that advance our understanding of the science and technology of nonferrous chemical metallurgy.

The Robert H. Richards Award Committee is responsible for reviewing the nominations for the Robert H. Richards Award and selecting the recipient. The Richards Award recognizes achievement in any form which unmistakably furthers the art of mineral beneficiation in any of its branches.

The Committee shall review all applications for the Klimpel and MPD Scholarships and Rong Yu Wan Ph.D. Dissertation Award and select the recipient(s).

The award was established by AIME in l965 to recognize distinguished contributions to the advancement of mineral economics.

The award will be administered by the Accreditation and Curricular Issues Committee.

The Dickerson Award is administered by the Mining & Exploration Division (M&E Division) of the Society, under the direction of the SME Board of Directors.

The Jackling Award is administered by the Mining & Exploration Division (M&E Division) of the Society, under the direction of the SME Board of Directors.

The Award is administered by the Mining & Exploration Division (M&E Division) of the Society, under the direction of the SME Board of Directors

The Award is administered by the Mining & Exploration Division (M&E Division) of the Society, under the direction of the SME Board of Directors.

The Award is administered by the Mining & Exploration Division (M&E Division) of the Society, under the direction of the SME Board of Directors.

The Award Committee is to consist of the members of the M&E Division Program Planning Committee.

The Committee shall review the applications submitted and select the recipients of the M&E Division Scholarship and the AIME Henry De Witt Smith Graduate Scholarship.

The William Lawrence Saunders Award Committee is responsible for reviewing the nominations for the William Lawrence Saunders Award and selecting the recipient. The Saunders Award recognizes distinguished achievement in mining other than coal (including the production of nonmetallic minerals).

The award will be administered by a committee of the most recent five SME past presidents.

The SME Fellow Award is presented to a select few who have distinguished themselves by notable contributions to the technology or professional activities encompassed by SME and in some cases for significant contributions to a Section, the Society, or the Institute.

Established in 2017, the Robert E. Murray Innovation Award honors individuals or organizations that advance the mining industry through technical innovation, with a focus on recognizing those that implement innovative technologies and processes.

The Innovation Award is administered by the Robert E. Murray Innovation Award Committee under the direction of the SME staff.

For more information, please contact SME at awards@smenet.org.

Established in 2017, the Robert E. Murray Scholarship aims to support undergraduates, graduates, and researchers in advancing innovation within the mining industry through the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and processes.

For more information, please contact SME at awards@smenet.org.

The award will be administered by a committee made up of the Past Chair of each SME mining-related division.

The Robert M. Dreyer Award in Applied Economic Geology, established in 1999 as an annual Award, recognizes outstanding achievements in applied economic geology. The outstanding achievements so recognized must have been accomplished through commercial exploration or development of metalliferous and/or nonmetalliferous mineral deposits.

The SME Board of Directors shall have and exercise on behalf of the Society, all rights, powers and privileges granted to the Society as a not-for-profit corporation organized under the laws of Colorado in the carrying out of the purposes set forth in the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.

SME members receive a nomination to serve on this committee, based on past SME leadership experience and demonstrated skills.

The Past Presidents meet on an annual basis to review and offer advice on SME activities.

The Accreditation and Curricular Issues Committee shall determine curricular standards and deal with issues associated with accreditation including the development of program criteria recommended to the Council of Education and, in turn, the SME Board of Directors and the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), Inc.  

Click here to learn more about becoming an evaluator.

Members of the Academic Grant Selection Committee select recipients for the PhD fellowship and career development grant programs.

Contact volunteer@smenet.org for more information.

The Council of Education & Accreditation shall review and refer information and projects to the education subcommittees (Accreditation and Curricular Issues, and Student Member Affairs), receive and act when appropriate upon recommendations of the education subcommittees and Education Forum, and determine educational policy to be recommended to the SME Board of Directors.

The Council of Education & Accreditation also serves as the Ivan B. Rahn Education and Mineral Industry Education Award Committee. The Council of Education shall find a nominee whose contribution merits the award. Recipients of the award shall be selected through a nominating and voting process by the Council of Education with notification to the SME Executive Committee. 

The Council of Education Members are the current Chair and Vice-Chair of each education committee.

The mission of the Education Sustainability Committee is to develop specific, actionable recommendations that seek to address the long-term challenges that threaten the sustainability of U.S. Mining and Mineral Processing/Extractive Metallurgy academic degree granting programs.

The scope of the Committee includes programming/workshops, the facilitation of greater research opportunities for faculty, the collection and analysis of department/student data, and a variety of other efforts to promote stability of academic programs in minerals education and to improve the capacity of these programs to produce high-quality graduates for successful careers in industry and academia. 

Contact volunteer@smenet.org for more information.

The Mineral School Department Heads Committee provides information on the current status of enrollment of undergraduate and graduate students in the United States as well as educational institutions in other countries depending upon membership of the committee. The Committee is responsible for maintaining accurate records of the number of graduates from their respective programs.

Committee members are department heads of mineral education programs. 

Contact volunteer@smenet.org for more information. 

The Student Member Affairs Committee shall provide career guidance, suggest and coordinate student activities, and exercise general supervision over SME Student Chapters. As part of its charge, the Committee shall develop, review and provide for the dissemination of career information. Members of the committee shall serve as judges for the annual SME Outstanding Student Chapter Contest and the SME Outstanding Student Paper Contest, undergraduate and graduate divisions.

Members of the Student Member Affairs Committee are nominated by their Division. Contact your Division for more information.

The MEC Committee provides the MEC with leadership and guidance and assists with fundraising and public outreach as appropriate on behalf of the MEC.

Contact volunteer@smenet.org for more information.

The MEC Scouting Subcommittee provides support, input and guidance of the MEC’s Scouting Outreach program efforts.

Contact volunteer@smenet.org for more information.

The MMSA/SMEF Presidential Scholarship Committee is responsible for reviewing the applications and assist in selecting the recipients for the MMSA/SMEF Presidential Scholarship.

Contact volunteer@smenet.org for more information.

The SMEF Trustees represent the leadership of the corporate and academic segment of the industry. They provide advice and guidance regarding the Foundation’s management, strategic planning and operations, with a focus centered on fundraising for programs and initiatives of SME. Acting as ambassadors for SMEF, Trustees are knowledgeable of all program areas and current projects needing funding and personally contribute the SMEF on an annual basis. SMEF Board of Trustees are elected to a three-year term.

The Corporate Giving Committee (CGC) works with Foundation staff to identify corporate prospects and solicit contributions to programs for which the Foundation seeks support. The Committee identifies potential prospects, collaborates with staff regarding marketing strategies, and sets annual fundraising goals and benchmarks. This Committee consists of two co-chairs nominated by the Nominating Committee, based on merit and knowledge of industry leaders, and appointed by the Board of Trustees for a term of two years.

The SMEF Executive Committee is authorized to exercise all business and powers of the Board of Trustees, subject to specific directions or limitations imposed by the Board of Trustees. Executive Committee members serve on the Executive Committee for two year terms in each position. The Executive Committee meets on a frequent basis, as determined by the President, to facilitate the daily operations of the Foundation.

The Individual Fundraising Committee (IFC) is responsible for direct solicitations of individual support for the Foundation. The IFC works with the SMEF Executive Committee to establish endowment strategies and suggests target audiences for specific fundraising efforts.

The SMEF Nominating Committee consists of five SMEF Trustees who are responsible for nominating a slate of proposed Trustees to fill any expired terms or other vacancies on the Board of Trustees.

The SMEF Scholarship Committee is responsible for reviewing the applications and selecting the recipients for the MMSA/SMEF Presidential Scholarship, J. H. Fletcher & Co Scholarship, Stantec/McIntosh Engineering Scholarship, the Ernest K. Lehmann Memorial Scholarship and the George V. Weisdack Memorial Scholarship.

The Syd S. and Felicia F. Peng Ground Control in Mining Award Committee administers the Peng Award under the direction of the SME Board of Directors. This committee is composed of five members who are chosen based on their demonstrated ability and track record for dealing with ground control issues in mining.

Contact volunteer@smenet.org for more information.

The Syd S. and Felicia F. Peng Ground Control in Mining Scholarship Committee is responsible for reviewing the applications and selecting the recipients for the Syd S. and Felicia F. Peng Ground Control in Mining Scholarship based on applicants’ combination of financial need and academic promise.

Contact volunteer@smenet.org for more information.

SME Annual Conference planning committee members are appointed by their Division. For more information, please contact your Division.

SME Annual Conference planning committee members are appointed by their Division. For more information, please contact your Division.

The SME Audit Committee's primary function is to assist the SME BOD in fulfilling its fiduciary responsibilities by  reviewing (1) the quality and integrity of the organization’s financial statements, (2) the SME’s systems of internal accounting and financial controls, (3) compliance with laws and regulations and the company’s ethics programs as applicable, and (4) the external audit processes, including the external auditor’s qualifications and independence.

SME members are nominated for these positions, based on past SME leadership experience and demonstrated skills.

The committee aims to identify and develop future SME leaders through the SME Board of Directors Internship Program. Annually, the committee will:

• Recruit and recommend intern candidates to the SME Board of Directors.
• Evaluate and update the SME Board of Directors Internship Program Handbook as needed.

SME members receive a nomination from their Division to serve in one of these positions, based on past SME leadership experience and demonstrated skills. For more information, please contact your Division. 

The Bulk Material Handling (BMH) Committee was established to enhance the BMH community through networking, knowledge advancement, education, research, career development, and support for young professionals. The Committee fosters practical discussions on all aspects of bulk material handling, aiming to build strong, sustainable global relationships with stakeholders.

Committee members are chosen for their technical expertise. Please email your resume and statement of interest to volunteer@smenet.org.

The ESG Toolkit Committee provides impartial, informative, and credible information about Environmental Stewardship, Social Responsibility and Governance (ESG) topics, case studies, and general information using a public website. Our committee is elected annually in February to serve 1-year terms. All year, we are in need of volunteers to identify and review resources. We meet virtually and in person throughout the year.

SME members are chosen for their expertise and demonstrated skills. To work with this committee, please email your resume and statement of interest to volunteer@smenet.org.

The Finance Committee shall review annual budget and provide a recommendation to Board regarding its approval, review the investment program for SME and SMEF and confirm advisors are following the Investment Policy Statement, make recommendations, as advised by SME/SMEF investment management firm, for modifications to the investment program, review the Investment Policy Statement and provide Board with any recommended modifications, and review revenue achievement and broadly understand SME’s business model.

SME members receive a nomination to serve on this committee, based on past SME leadership experience and demonstrated skills.

The government relations and public affairs committee helps leverage the expertise of its membership to create a system for providing timely, accurate, factbased, non-partisan technical information in response to urgent inquiries from SME stakeholders on topics concerning mining, minerals and extractive industries; and has developed a structured program to create Technical Briefing papers for informing and educating SME audiences.

SME members are nominated for these positions based on prior leadership experience and demonstrated skills.

Ground Control Conference planning committee members are chosen for their technical expertise. Please email your resume and statement of interest to volunteer@smenet.org.

The Inclusion & Diversity committee will identify how inclusion and diversity can be harnessed to create solutions for SME and/or the industry. The committee offers strategic guidance and programming to support SME's I&D initiatives.

SME members are chosen for their expertise and demonstrated skills. To self-nominate for a position on this committee, please email your resume and statement of interest to volunteer@smenet.org.

The International Academy of Mine Safety & Health (IAMSH) of SME administers the CMSP program. This board is comprised of individuals committed to promoting the CMSP credential and enhancing health and safety in mining. IAMSH board members are elected annually in February to serve 3-year terms. We meet virtually each month, and in-person at the SME Annual Conference.

If you're interested in volunteering or joining the IAMSH board, please email cmsp@smenet.org.

The International Academy of Mine Safety & Health (IAMSH) of SME administers the CMSP program. This board is comprised of individuals committed to promoting the CMSP credential and enhancing health and safety in mining. IAMSH board members are elected annually in February to serve 3-year terms. We meet virtually each month, and in-person at the SME Annual Conference.

If you're interested in volunteering or joining the IAMSH board, please email cmsp@smenet.org.

The Journal Oversight Committee provides input and feedback on the strategic direction of the Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (MME) journal, the quality of the journal and inclusivity of authors and topics, and ensures the journal represents the breadth of SME. Committee members act as ambassadors for the journal and help solicit authors and nominate reviewers, and can nominate future members of the Editorial Board.

Committee members are appointed by their Division. For more information, please contact your Division.

The Mining Engineering Committee will review papers or assign reviewers as requested by the Mining Engineering staff and provide advice on magazine content, including potential writers, topics, industry trends, and advertisers. Members serve a two-year term and are nominated by thier SME Division.

For more information, please contact your Division.

Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (MME) publishes high-quality, peer-reviewed papers in the fields of mining, mineral/metallurgical processing and exploration/geology.

Applications to serve in one of these positions can be submitted by SME members with PhDs or higher and will considered by the Chief Editors for acceptance or rejection based on many factors, including whether there is a current need on the Editorial Board for the applicant’s relevant expertise. Self-nominate by emailing your resume and interest statement to volunteer@smenet.org.

To submit your paper to the journal, access author instructions here.

The SME Nominating Committee is responsible for the selections of the SME President-Elect, incoming members to the Board of Directors, incoming members to the SME Strategic Committees, (Association Growth, Industry Innovation, Industry Workforce, and Responsible Mining and Underground Construction), Audit Committee, Finance Committee and Structure and Governance Committee which are scheduled to be or otherwise become vacant at the end of the next annual meeting of the Society's membership.

SME members receive a nomination to serve on this committee, based on past SME leadership experience and demonstrated skills.

One member of the OTC Program Committee is nominated to represent SME on the OTC Board of Directors. Contact volunteer@smenet.org for more information.

OneMine.org is a collaborative effort among 14 global societies and associations to gather the world's leading technical information about mining, minerals, and underground construction.

SME members are nominated for these committee positions based on prior leadership experience and demonstrated skills.

Rapid Excavation and Tunneling Conference planning committee members are chosen for their technical expertise. Please email your resume and statement of interest to volunteer@smenet.org.

Committee members must be Registered Members and are chosen for their technical expertise. Please email your resume and statement of interest to volunteer@smenet.org.

Committee members are nominated from the Registered Member Admission Committeee.

Committee members are chosen for their technical expertise. Please email your resume and statement of interest to volunteer@smenet.org.

The SME Professional Engineers (PE) Committee supports SME members who are PEs or are aspiring to become licensed.

The committee meets in person twice a year in South Carolina and once at SME Annual Conference to update the exam and exam study guide, and virtually as needed.

Individual members support the committee’s work, including presentations to professionals, communicating with students, and other support throughout the year, meeting virtually and in person.

Committee members are chosen for their technical expertise and must be a licensed Professional Engineer and a member of SME. If you fit this criteria, please email your resume and statement of interest to volunteer@smenet.org.

The Structure and Governance Committee ensures the mission, purpose, and structure of the SME standing committees align with the goals of the SME Strategic Plan, to review changes to any SME standing committee, and to ensure the committees conform to the SME Bylaws.

SME members are nominated to serve in one of these positions, based on past SME leadership experience and demonstrated skills.

The Sustainable Development Committee focuses on developing, monitoring, and assessing sustainable development criteria for mineral operations, as well as creating and sharing best practices for sustainability.

SME members are chosen for this committee based on demonstrated experience and/or expertise. Email your resume and statement of interest to volunteer@smenet.org.

The Tunneling & Underground Construction Editorial Committee will review papers or assign reviewers as requested by the T&UC staff and provide advice on magazine content, including potential writers, topics, industry trends, and advertisers. Members serve a two-year term and are nominated by the Underground Construction Division.

For more information, please contact the UCA Division at volunteer@smenet.org.

The purose of this committee is to bring attention and focus to tailings and waste management by providing a platform for the sharing of knowledge, technical information, relevant data and best practices among SME members and other institutions; and to participate and collaborate with groups and institutions to ensure that SME members have a voice in the creation and development of policies, guidelines and standards that could affect their waste and tailings management operations.

SME members are chosen for their expertise and demonstrated skills. To work with this committee, please email your resume and statement of interest to volunteer@smenet.org.

Committee members are nominated based on expertise. Please email your resume and statement of interest to volunteer@smenet.org.

SME Strategic Goal: SME creates value and unites OUR community. Objectives: 1) Promote effective partnerships. 2) Enhance member engagement at all levels of the organization. 3) Enhance opportunities for inclusivity and access to all programs and activities. 4) Promote initiatives to engage the next generation of leaders.

SME members receive a nomination to serve in one of these positions, based on past SME leadership experience and demonstrated skills.

SME Strategic Goal: SME is the first choice for disseminating innovative mining and underground construction information, research, and technology. Objectives: 1) Provide quality platforms for the transfer of knowledge. 2) Expand opportunities for disseminating and presenting innovative research and best practices. 3) Publicize impactful ideas and trends.

SME members receive a nomination to serve in one of these positions, based on past SME leadership experience and demonstrated skills.

SME Strategic Goal: Promote mining and underground construction as multidisciplinary careers that are essential and rewarding. Objectives: 1) Assist educational institutions in promoting the industry. 2) Provide resources to attract and retain a skilled and professional workforce. 3) Recognize and support changing professional development needs.

SME members receive a nomination to serve in one of these positions, based on past SME leadership experience and demonstrated skills.

SME Strategic Goal: SME promotes responsible mining and underground construction. Objectives: 1) Provide information about responsible mining best practices. 2) Proactively identify policy and regulatory hot topics related to responsible mining. 3) Promote streamlined permitting process. 4) Support partnerships between industry, stakeholders, and government.

SME members receive a nomination to serve in one of these positions, based on past SME leadership experience and demonstrated skills.

The Annual Conference Subcommittee will provide a centralized source for all Young Leaders events surrounding the SME Annual Conference in an effort to better direct membership efforts and offerings.

To get involved with this subcommittee, apply to serve on the Young Leaders Committee.

The Young Leaders Committee (YLC) develops and strengthens young professionals in the mining and underground construction industry while adding value to the entire SME organization.

Apply for the Young Leaders Committee.

The goal of the Global Sections Subcommittee is to help expand and recognize International membership in SME.

To get involved with this subcommittee, apply to serve on the Young Leaders Committee.

The Young Leaders Committee (YLC) was created in 1998 to develop and strengthen young professionals in the mining industry while adding value to the entire SME organization. Through the use of subcommittees within the YLC, members will work within SME to reach student chapters, the general public and provide value to SME members throughout the year and at the Annual Meeting. While working with these different groups, members of the YLC are given opportunities for personal development and are in the position to gain and share knowledge as well as provide development opportunities to others.

To get involved, apply to serve on the Young Leaders Committee.