The SME Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City is only a week away

The MEI blog began in February 2009. That same month, Jon and I attended the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME) Annual Meeting in Denver, with snapshots from the event appearing in the February blog posts.

Jon and I at the Elsevier booth in Denver, 2009

The following year in Phoenix, I started writing annual reports on the SME meetings and have covered every one since, up to last year’s meeting in Denver (MINEXCHANGE 2025). That event may mark my final visit to the USA, and at next week’s Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City Jon was hoping to represent MEI, but unfortunately due to a recent sports injury he has had to pull out.

So I regret that there will be no MEI report and photos from this year's meeting but if you have news and photos that would be of interest to mineral processors, I would be grateful if you could pass them on. I particularly regret that we won't be able to photograph the Mineral Processing Division Award Winners this year:

Antoine Gaudin Award: Jan Cilliers
Milton E. Wadsworth Award: Ronel Kappes
Robert H. Richards Award: Rob McIvor

or the AIME's Frank Aplan Award winner James Gebhardt

The nearest I can get is photos from previous SMEs:

Jan Cilliers (2024), Ronel Kappes (2024), Rob McIvor (2022), Jim Gebhardt (2022)

Congratulations to you all. 

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The crucial importance of process mineralogy

It should go without saying that all mineral processors should be interested in the mineralogy of their ore because mineralogy directly controls how the ore behaves during processing. The type of minerals present, their grain size, associations, and degree of liberation determine the choice and efficiency of comminution, separation, and extraction methods. Mineralogy influences recovery, concentrate grade, reagent consumption, energy use, and the generation of deleterious elements or penalties. A sound understanding of ore mineralogy allows processors to predict processing challenges, optimise plant design and operating conditions, and respond effectively to ore variability, ultimately improving metallurgical performance and economic outcomes.

MEI’s Process Mineralogy ’26 is important because it brings together mineral processors, mineralogists, researchers, and equipment suppliers to focus on the critical link between ore mineralogy and processing performance. The conference provides a platform to share the latest advances in process mineralogy tools, techniques, and case studies that demonstrate how detailed mineralogical understanding can solve real plant problems. By highlighting how mineralogy influences recovery, efficiency, sustainability, and risk management across the mining value chain, the conference helps bridge the gap between geology and metallurgy, supports better decision-making, and promotes more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible mineral processing operations.

Process Mineralogy ’26 is relevant to a wide range of professionals who are involved in, or influenced by, ore characterisation and processing, including:

• Mineral processing engineers and metallurgists seeking to improve recovery, grade, and plant performance.
• Process mineralogists and geometallurgists working to link mineralogical data with processing behaviour.
• Geologists and exploration professionals interested in understanding how ore characteristics affect downstream processing and project value.
• Plant operators and technical managers responsible for managing ore variability and operational risk.
• Researchers, academics, and students focused on mineral processing, mineralogy, and related disciplines.
• Equipment manufacturers and technology providers offering analytical tools, software, and processing solutions.
• Consultants and project developers involved in flowsheet design, feasibility studies, and optimisation

Process Mineralogy '26 is followed by Critical Minerals '26 and there is likely to be a fair amount of overlap between the two conferences. One of the keynotes at Process Mineralogy '26 will deal with process mineralogy for critical metals in mineral processing and extractive metallurgy and the two conferences have an advisor in common, Prof Alan R. Butcher of ButcherGeologica.

#ProcessMineralogy26
#CriticalMinerals26
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Hydrometallurgy '27

Hydrometallurgy is at the heart of sustainable mineral processing, driving innovation in the recovery of critical metals, resource efficiency, and environmental responsibility. Hydrometallurgy '27 is the 2nd in the MEI series, the first being in Adelaide in 2000. It aims to bring together researchers, industry leaders, and technology developers in hydro and biohydrometallurgy, to explore the latest advances in leaching, solvent extraction, ion exchange, electrowinning, process design, and waste management. 

Dr Frank Crundwell, Director of CM Solutions Metlab, South Africa, a globally-recognised authority on mineral dissolution and leaching, has been appointed as advisory lead for the conference. "CM Solutions is delighted to contribute to this prestigious event" says Ben Knights, CM Solutions CEO. "The CM Solutions team has a reputation for its hydrometallurgy expertise, and Frank’s pioneering work has earned him international recognition. Frank’s guidance of the technical direction of this event will help contribute to the future of hydrometallurgy"

In 2021 Frank received the SME's Milton E. Wadsworth Metallurgy Award, which recognises distinguished contributions that advance understanding of the science and technology of non-ferrous chemical metallurgy and he was nominated on the basis of his work in hydrometallurgy, leaching and the development of the theory of dissolution. 

Through keynote presentations, technical sessions, and networking opportunities, participants at Hydrometallurgy '27 will gain insights into emerging technologies and the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of hydrometallurgy.

Abstracts are invited for presentation at Hydrometallurgy '27 via the online portal by December 31st 2026.

#Hydrometallurgy27
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Artificial Intelligence in Mineral Processing '27

MEI's inaugural conference AI in Mineral Processing '27 is an international forum dedicated to exploring the transformative role of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data-driven technologies in the field of mineral processing. AI is set to revolutionise mineral processing, as did the computer revolution of the 1980s.

As the global mining industry adapts to increasing demands for efficiency, safety, and environmental responsibility, AI is emerging as a key enabler of innovation. From advanced process control and real-time monitoring to ore characterisation, energy optimisation, and predictive maintenance, AI technologies are reshaping the future of mineral resource development.

The conference aims to bring together a diverse community of researchers, industry professionals, technology developers, and policy makers to:

• Present the latest research findings and industrial applications.
• Discuss challenges and opportunities in deploying AI solutions.
• Foster collaboration between academia, industry, and technology providers.
• Highlight pathways toward a more sustainable and intelligent mineral processing industry.

AI '27 will not only be a platform for sharing knowledge but also an opportunity to build networks and partnerships that will define the next generation of mineral processing technologies.

Abstracts are invited for presentation at AI in Mineral Processing  '27 via the online portal by December 31st 2026.

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January summary: Storm Goretti devastates Cornwall

In my first posting of the year I said "Happy New Year to you all and let's hope it will be a better one than 2025, with less conflict and upheaval across the world."  Well, that hope flew out of the window in the first few days of 2026 and it looks like being another troublesome year on the world stage. I guess everyone has their own views on some of the outrageous things said at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Here in Cornwall, we returned from mild weather conditions in the Alps at the end of December to icy conditions, with temperatures touching zero. On the 8th of the month alarms sounded on our phones with a rare red "danger to life" warning from the Government and Storm Goretti, one of the most severe storms to hit Cornwall in the last 30 to 35 years, arrived in the evening with winds of up to 99 mph. Many homes in Cornwall, including Falmouth, suffered severe damage and long power outages, but fortunately, apart from flickering lights, we escaped it. Reports suggest that tens of thousands of trees may have been blown down across the county including 80% of the trees on the iconic St. Michael's Mount at Marazion and the immense force of the wind was evident when walking around Falmouth.

Tregoniggie Woodlands, Falmouth

Falmouth Cemetery

Close on the heels of Goretti, Storm Ingrid, although not as severe, produced very heavy seas which damaged beach properties on Cornwall's south coast and disrupted train services within and out of the county.

Breach of the sea wall at Dawlish, Devon, on the London-Penzance main line
Source: BBC

The rain has been relentless and shortly after Ingrid moved on Storm Chandra brought more torrential rain, disruption and flooding. 

New MEI recruit Will missed all this, as he had taken off for warmer climes, flying to Rio for travels in South America with his friend Sam. While in Brazil they managed to see the Iguasu Falls, arguably the most impressive falls in the world (posting of 1st August 2016), Will favouring the Brazilian rather than the Argentinian side of the Falls.

After travelling through Paraguay they enjoyed Buenos Aires, where they were joined by Will's girlfriend, Liv, before moving on to Uruguay. Will resumes his apprenticeship with MEI on his return and hopefully you will see him with Amanda and me at the Cape Town IMPC in October.

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A second Lifetime Achievement Award for Prof. Jim Finch

I was more than pleased to hear that my old friend Jim Finch received the Canadian Mineral Processors' Lifetime Achievement Award at the CMP Annual Meeting last week in Ottawa. In 2020 he was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award of the International Mineral Processing Council.

Jim with McGill's Associate Professor Kristian Waters

With current and former graduate students of McGill University 

I have known Jim since 1986 when he attended the NATO Advanced Study Institute in Falmouth and in 2015 he was the subject of one of my interviews with leading mineral processors.

Jim had an illustrious career at McGill University, where he is now, after retirement, an Emeritus Professor, and did much to rank the University highly in the mineral processing field. As well as authoring over 300 journal articles he was co-author of the seminal book Column Flotation, with former student Glenn Dobby.

With Jim and Glenn in Cornwall in 1988

I am particularly proud of the fact that Jim agreed to work with me on Mineral Processing Technology, which was published as an 8th edition in 2016, a busy year for Jim as he was Chair of the International Mineral Processing Congress in Quebec.

Book signing in Phoenix, 2016

Opening IMPC 2016 in Quebec

Jim has had a big involvement with MEI. In 2015 he became a consultant to MEI's Flotation Conferences on the retirement of Prof. J-P Franzidis and  has proven to be a huge asset, advising on the technical programme and judging student presentations with his wife Lois, as well as presenting three keynote lectures over the years.

Jim and J-P Franzidis at Flotation '15

Jim actively involved with Flotation '23 and '25

Jim with fellow Antoine Gaudin Award winners, Jan Cilliers,
Kevin Galvin and Osvaldo Bascur at Flotation '25

Congratulations Jim from all at MEI. Nobody deserves this award more than you.

Jim and Lois with Barbara Wills at Flotation '11

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