One of the goals of SME is to inform decision makers using fact-based, non-partisan, technical information about the mining industry. This week I have been meeting with various groups in Washington, D.C. to do just that. On Monday, April 22 I took part in the National Academy of Engineering's Convocation. This is an annual gathering of representatives of all engineering disciplines, including mining, to discuss emerging trends in the field from R&D to processing innovation. It was interesting to note that all the projects discussed from 3-D printing to biomedical engineering, had their origins in mining, minerals and materials. SME is one of four societies that make up AIME, one of the Founding Engineering Societies.
(Left to right: Jim Robinson, Executive Director TMS, Elizabeth Holm, 2013 TMS president, Michele Laurie Munro, Executive Director AIME, George Luxbacher, 2013 AIME president, Jessica Kogel, 2013 SME President, Dave Kanagy, SME Executive Director, and John Hayden, SME Deputy Executive Director Government Relations & Public Affairs.)
Later that day I had the opportunity to meet with senior staff at Conservation International, a global environmental group dedicated to improving the worldwide environment through partnerships, field work, and applied best practices in sustainability. Raising SME's profile as a global leader in sustainable development in the mining industry is one of my goals as 2013 president. CI and SME agreed on a few simple first steps: (1) SME would consider publishing case studies of work that CI has done with global mining companies on ecosystem assessments and use of best management practices, (2) SME would distribute the best management practices that CI has developed in conjunction with ICMM, (3) SME would consider a CEO roundtable session at the Salt Lake City annual meeting next year on global sustainability initiatives and include CI, and (4) SME would consider a survey of our membership on their sustainability practices.
(Jessica Kogel and Mahlette Betre, senior manager of Conservation International's Responsible Mining and Energy Team.)
The week is just getting started but I can already see how SME can have a positive impact on our various stakeholders through innovative collaboration, thoughtful dialogue, and informed decion-making.
Tomorrow I will share details of my visits on Capitol Hill with Senate and House staff responsible for mining and mine safety policy, and Members of Congress that support responsible domestic mining. Later this week, I will share the results of my DC meetings with the World Wildlife Fund, as well as with the Wildlife Habitat Council. I also have events planned with NMA, IMA-NA, NSSGA and the National Research Council to discuss industry collaboration and future mining research needs. Stay tuned!