Environmental Division

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

The Environmental Division of SME provides a means for cooperation and communication among professionals in the minerals industry engaged in all aspects of the physical environment as they relate to the mining industry, including:

  • Promotes safe and environmentally sound mining practices,

  • Provides a forum for the exchange of technical information, publishing technical papers, organizing technical meetings and programs, and

  • Encourages and promotes education on any subject related to these phases of the mining industry.

Environmental Division Annual Luncheon & Silent Auction

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

Many thanks to our generous sponsors!

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

Environmental Division Bylaws
Environmental Division Handbook
Environmental Division Brochure
Environmental Division Operating Guidelines
Environmental Division Conference Manual

Environmental Division Meeting Minutes

2023 Environmental Division Annual Meeting Minutes
2022 Environmental Division Annual Meeting Minutes
2021 Environmental Division Annual Meeting Minutes
2019 Environmental Division Annual Meeting Minutes
2018 Environmental Division Annual Meeting Minutes
2017 Environmental Division Annual Meeting Minutes
2016 Environmental Division Annual Meeting Minutes

Student Poster Contest

Students have the opportunity to show off their work and a chance to put cash in their pockets to further their education.

Environmental Division Committees

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

Name Position Start End
Annelia Tinklenberg Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Omar A. Smith Member 03/01/2021 02/28/2025
Amar Patel Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Heather Halderman Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Mrs Genevieve M. Sutton Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2025

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

Name Position Start End
Annelia Tinklenberg Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Heather Halderman Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2028
Amar Patel Member 03/01/2022 02/28/2027
Jen Pepe Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Omar A. Smith Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2026
Mrs Genevieve M. Sutton Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2029

The Committee shall have oversight of all activities within the Environmental Division.

Name Position Start End
Annelia Tinklenberg Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Omar A. Smith Vice Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Jen Pepe Past Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Heather Halderman Program Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Mrs Genevieve M. Sutton Program Planning Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Amar Patel Secretary 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Laura A. Nelson SME Staff 02/12/2024

The Membership Committee encourages interest and membership in EVD.

Name Position Start End
Annelia Tinklenberg Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Shawn M. Calendine Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Nahomi Sayuri Caururo Norabuena Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2025

The chief responsibility of the Environmental Division Nominating & Planning Committee is to fill vacant positions on Division and SME committees as needed.

Name Position Start End
Jen Pepe Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Omar A. Smith Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Amar Patel Member 03/01/2022 02/28/2027
Mrs Genevieve M. Sutton Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2026
Denise Levitan Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2026
Heather Halderman Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Leslie M. Watson Member 03/01/2022 02/28/2025

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

Name Position Start End
Emily Schlenker Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2026
Irene Montero Member 03/01/2022 02/28/2026
Beatriz Zataray Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2027
James Mullen Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2026
Julia Schmidt Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2026

The Joint Standing Committee provides linkage between the Acid Drainage Technology Initiative Metal Mining Sector and the SME Environmental Division. The Chair and Co-Chair shall also serve as EVD representatives on the ADTI-MMS Steering Committee and as session Chair and Co-Chair for the current ADTI-MMS Program Committee. The Co-Chair also serves on the Program Planning Committee and advances through the Chair and Past Chair positions. The Past Chair advises the SME ED Nominating and Planning Committee on nominations for representatives.

Name Position Start End
Dr. Rens B. Verburg Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Patrick T. Williamson, PG, QP Co-Chair 03/20/2024 02/28/2025
R David Williams Past Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Denise Levitan, PG, PHD Member 03/20/2024
Dr. Linda A. Figueroa Member 03/20/2024
Dr. Virginia T. McLemore Member 03/20/2024

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

Name Position Start End
Omar A. Smith Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Heather Halderman Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2027
Jen Pepe Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2025
Annelia Tinklenberg Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Mrs Genevieve M. Sutton Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2029

Environmental Division Awards

Environmental Division Benefactor Award

Environmental Division’s Benefactor Award was established in 2014 to recognize companies or individuals who have significantly contributed to the Silent Auction to benefit the Environmental Division Scholarship Fund.

Nominations for this award are currently closed.

Environmental Division Distinguished Service Award

The Environmental Division Distinguished Service Award, established in 2001, recognizes members who have significantly contributed to the workings of SME and the Environmental Division and have an outstanding reputation for professionalism and accomplishment.

Nominations for this award are currently closed.

Environmental Stewardship Distinguished Service Award

The Environmental Stewardship Distinguished Service Award was established by AIME in 1970 to recognize significant contributions to environmental conservation by addition to knowledge; by the design or invention of useful equipment of procedure; or by outstanding service to governmental or private organizations devoted to any field of environmental conservation. In 2011, AIME transitioned this award to SME.

Nominations for this award are currently closed.

Environmental Division Benefactor Award

Nominations for this award are currently closed.

Environmental Division Distinguished Service Award

Nominations for this award are currently closed.

Environmental Stewardship Distinguished Service Award

Nominations for this award are currently closed.

Environmental Division Benefactor Award

Nominations for this award are currently closed.

Environmental Division Distinguished Service Award

Nominations for this award are currently closed.

Environmental Stewardship Distinguished Service Award

Nominations for this award are currently closed.

Environmental Division Scholarships

ENV Div & Veolia Water Technologies Scholarship

Environmental Division Scholarship applicants may be considered for a $2,000 scholarship sponsored by Veolia Water Technologies (Veolia). To be considered for the Veolia Scholarship, applicants must submit a short essay (approximately 250 words) explaining why water is an essential part of the mining process. To submit an anonymous recommendation letter for a student, please email it to scholarships@smenet.org with the student's first and last name and the scholarship name as the file name.

Applications for this scholarship are currently closed.

ENV Div & Veolia Water Technologies Scholarship

Applications for this scholarship are currently closed.

ENV Div & Veolia Water Technologies Scholarship

Applications for this scholarship are currently closed.

ENV Div & Veolia Water Technologies Scholarship

Applications for this scholarship are currently closed.

ENV Div & Veolia Water Technologies Scholarship

The application period for this scholarship will begin on 09/01/2024