Mining & Exploration Division

As a member of the Mining & Exploration Division of SME, you have access to professional networking and leadership opportunities with peers who share your career objectives.

The Mining & Exploration Division provides a means for cooperation and communication among professionals engaged in the mining of metals, research, specialized aspects of mining, and exploration technologies.

The M&E Division advances these industry segments by:

  • Promoting and publishing papers,

  • Organizing meetings and programs, and

  • Encouraging education on subjects related to the mining and exploration of metals.

Mining & Exploration Division Annual Luncheon

This event is a fantastic opportunity for division members to network while supporting the Mining & Exploration Division scholarships.

Many thanks to our generous sponsors!

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Click here to view the photos on SME's Flickr page

Mining & Exploration Division Bylaws
Mining & Exploration Division Brochure
Mining & Exploration Division Handbook

Mining & Exploration Division Meeting Minutes

2024 Mining & Exploration Division Annual Meeting Minutes
2023 Mining & Exploration Division Annual Meeting Minutes
2020 Mining & Exploration Division Annual Meeting Minutes
2019 Mining & Exploration Division Annual Meeting Minutes
2018 Mining & Exploration Division Annual Meeting Minutes
2016 Mining & Exploration Division Annual Meeting Minutes
2015 Mining & Exploration Division Annual Meeting Minutes

Mining & Exploration Division Committees

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

Name Position Start End
Arunkumar Rai, MS MBA Co-Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2026
Mr Craig Stewart, B.S.M.E Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2028
Dr. Karoly C. Kocsis, Ph.D. Member 03/01/2022 02/28/2026
Heather N. Dougherty, PE, PHD Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2027

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.

Name Position Start End
Mrs Kathryn E. Marten Robertson, B.S.M.E, MBA Chair 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Daniel B. Rosenbach Chair Elect 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Donald C. Dwyer Past Chair 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Robert W. Schafer Award Recipient 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Christopher Gypton Member 03/01/2025 02/28/2028
Kevin Martindale Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2027
Jordan M. Anderson Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2027
Tara K. Davis SME Staff 03/20/2025 02/28/2050

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.

Name Position Start End
Ms. Jenessa L. Haarala Chair 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Donald C. Dwyer Member 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Rosa M. Rojas Espinoza, BS/MS Member 03/01/2025 02/28/2030
Russell J. Sheets, PE Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2029
Lia Walker Member 03/01/2022 02/28/2027
Mrs Kathryn E. Marten Robertson, B.S.M.E, MBA Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2028
Daniel B. Rosenbach Member 03/01/2021 02/28/2026
Tara K. Davis SME Staff 03/21/2025 02/28/2050

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

Name Position Start End
Ms. Jenessa L. Haarala Chair 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Donald C. Dwyer Member 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Russell J. Sheets, PE Member 03/01/2025 02/28/2029
Lia Walker Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2027
Mrs Kathryn E. Marten Robertson, B.S.M.E, MBA Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2028
Daniel B. Rosenbach Member 03/01/2022 02/28/2027
Tara K. Davis SME Staff 03/01/2025 02/28/2050

The Committee shall have oversight of all activities within the Mining & Exploration Division.

Name Position Start End
Ms. Jenessa L. Haarala Chair 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Russell J. Sheets, PE Assistant Vice Chair 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Daniel B. Rosenbach Chair Elect 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Donald C. Dwyer Past Chair 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Lia Walker Program Vice Chair 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Mrs Kathryn E. Marten Robertson, B.S.M.E, MBA Program Planner Vice Chair 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Emily Rose Editor, ex officio 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Rosa M. Rojas Espinoza, BS/MS Secretary 03/20/2025 02/28/2026
Jacob Anderson Liaison, ex officio 03/20/2025 02/28/2028
Tara K. Davis SME Staff 07/01/2021 02/28/2050
Name Position Start End
Ms. Jenessa L. Haarala Chair 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Jacqui Coombes Award Recipient 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Daniel B. Rosenbach Member 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Russell J. Sheets, PE Member 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Dr. Abani R. Samal, PhD Member 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Stella M. Searston Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Tara K. Davis SME Staff 03/01/2025 02/28/2050

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

Name Position Start End
Donald C. Dwyer Chair 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Ms. Jenessa L. Haarala Member 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Daniel B. Rosenbach Member 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Rosa M. Rojas Espinoza, BS/MS Member 03/01/2025 02/29/2028
Russell J. Sheets, PE Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2028
Mrs Kathryn E. Marten Robertson, B.S.M.E, MBA Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2028
Tara K. Davis SME Staff 03/01/2025 02/28/2050
Name Position Start End
Lia Walker Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2028
Tara K. Davis SME Staff 03/01/2021 02/28/2050

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

Name Position Start End
Daniel B. Rosenbach Chair 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Mackenzie Sorensen Award Recipient 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Rosa M. Rojas Espinoza, BS/MS Member 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Paloma Lazaro, PHD Member 03/01/2025 02/28/2028
Russell J. Sheets, PE Member 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Grace E. Wilson, PE Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2027
Jason Sexauer Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Tara K. Davis SME Staff 03/01/2025 02/28/2050

There are currently no members to display for this committee.

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

Name Position Start End
Russell J. Sheets, PE Chair 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Lia Walker Member 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Kathleen M. Tew Member 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Clay A. McNail Member 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Line-Audrey Nkule Member 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Jennifer Baar Member 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Tara K. Davis SME Staff 03/01/2025 02/28/2050

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.

Name Position Start End
Donald C. Dwyer Chair 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Ms. Jenessa L. Haarala Member 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Rosa M. Rojas Espinoza, BS/MS Member 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Tara K. Davis SME Staff 03/01/2025 02/28/2050

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).

Name Position Start End
Bradley M. Dunn Chair 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Bill A. Hancock President 03/01/2025 02/28/2026
Maureen Moore Member 03/01/2025 02/28/2029
Michael P. Donkor, MBA, PE Member 03/01/2025 02/28/2029
Lia Walker Member 03/01/2025 02/28/2029
Abhishekh Ashok Parmar Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2028
Brad Atkinson, MSc, EMBA Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2028
Dr. Abani R. Samal, PhD Member 03/01/2022 02/28/2026
Russell J. Sheets, PE Member 03/01/2022 02/28/2026
Tara K. Davis SME Staff 03/01/2025 02/28/2050