Technical Sessions

The SME Arizona Conference is proud to present technical sessions hosted by some of the leading innovators and technology in the southwest region. All technical sessions will be held at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Tucson Resort & Spa.

Program Chair: Darla Gage, Principal Advisor Environment, Resolution Copper

ENVIRONMENTAL

Chair: Doug Anderson, Arcadis

Plant-Based Solutions for the Stabilization, Removal and Re-Use of Metals from Legacy Mine Tailings

Alicja Babst-Kostecka, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

Parcel 30 Redevelopment

Oscar Sorensen, Arcadis, Phoenix, AZ; Mike Steward, Freeport-McMoRan, Inc., Phoenix, AZ

Emory Oak Restoration and Monitoring: Setting Up a Successful Long Term Restoration Program with Cultural Ties

Casey McKeon, Rio Tinto Resolution Copper, Superior, AZ

Bighorn Sheep Protection Program – Morenci, AZ

Ann George, Freeport-McMoRan, Inc., Phoenix, AZ

GEOTECHNICAL

Chair: Julia Potter, University of Arizona

Solitude Tailings Storage Facility – Geotechnical Characterization and Design of Slope Stabilization Landform

Chris Sonntag, BHP Legacy Assets, Tucson, AZ

Open Pit Geotech in the Elk Valley, British Columbia

Mat Stephenson, Teck Coal Limited – Fording River Operations, Sparwood, British Columbia

Rock Strength Variability: Investigation, Characterization, and Performance

Catherine Schmid, BGC Engineering, Inc., Vancouver, British Columbia

3D Digital Twin for Dynamic Rock Movement Visualization at the SX Mine Using Virtual Reality (VR)

Nilufer Akbulut, Angelina Anani, and Sefiu Adewuyi, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

MINERAL PROCESSING

Sponsored by M3 Engineering & Technology

Chair: Amado Guzman, HydroGeoSense Inc.

Mineral Processing Projects in 2023: Finding Value Across Various Metals & Processing Methods

Benjamin Bermudez, M3 Engineering and Technology, Chandler, AZ

Latest Developments in Plate Design, Plate Management and Repair Methods

Nigel Aslin, Glencore, Australia

Commercial Ore Testing

Joe Keane, SGS, Tucson, AZ

Integrated Ore Characterization

Sara Swiokla-Korsikas, HydroGeoSense, Tucson, AZ

Creating Successful Project Outcomes with Early Contractor Involvement (ECI)

Devon Whalen, Kiewit Industrial Group, Lone Tree, CO

MINING

Chair: David McLane, Burns & McDonnell

Empowering the Mining Industry: Building a Stronger Generation of Professionals

Brad Ross, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

Bolt Testing and Corrosion Mitigation at the Resolution Copper Project, Arizona

Louis Sandbak and Gabino Preciado, Rio Tinto Resolution Copper, Superior, AZ

Drill and Blast Optimization

Jon Heiner, Forte Dynamics, Denver, CO

Rethinking Decarbonization to Increase Reliability in Your Plant

Dan Richards, Burns & McDonnell, Phoenix, AZ

MEXICO

Sponsored by SRK Consulting

Chair: Jason Sexauer, Stantec

Changes to Mexican Laws that Impact the Mining Industry

Dawn Garcia, Stantec, Tucson, AZ

Current Status of Mineral Exploration in Mexico: Opportunities and Investment Concerns

Doug Coleman, Appian Capital Advisory, LLP, Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico

Reyna Silver’s Ore-Systems Approach to Exploration in Mexico

Lauren Megaw, Reyna Silver, Bingen, WA

Evolution in the Global Standards of Tailings in Mexico

Julian Luzania, Ausenco, Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico

GEOLOGY

Chair: Joshua Cobb, Freeport-McMoRan Inc.

Geology of Resolution

Joanna Marshall, Rio Tinto Resolution Copper, Superior, AZ

Characterization of Contrasting Fluid Systems in the Paradox Basin

Eytan Bos Orent, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

Copper Porphyry Deposit Conditions for In-Situ Copper Recovery

Ian Ream, Florence Copper, Florence, AZ

Modern Testing Methodologies in Hydrometallurgical Research to Better Understand Stockpile Chemistries and their Role in Copper Mining

Elizabeth Glenn, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

NEW PROJECTS

Sponsored by CGG

Chair: Brittany Meucci, Langan

Santa Cruz Copper Project

Kami Ballard, Ivanhoe Electric, Casa Grande, AZ

What’s New at Excelsior

Stephen Twyerould and Robert Winton, Gunnison Project and Johnson Camp Mine, Cochise County, AZ

Update on Hudbay’s Copper World Project:

Jerry Bustamante, Hudbay Minerals, Tucson, AZ

The Tombstone JV Gold-Silver Project

David Heyl, Aztec Minerals Corp, Tombstone

*Check back often for more detailed information about Technical Sessions.