9:00 AM
Opening Statements
9:20 AM
Investigating Lithium-rich Clays: What Formation Mechanisms are Responsible for Producing Economically Viable Sedimentary-volcanic Li Deposits?
Catherine Gagnon, Brown University
9:45 AM
Case History - Application of High-density Drilling and Geologic Modeling to Increase Frac Sand Productivity
Jack Sackrider, Westward
10:10 AM
There Are No Ore Grades in Aggregates
David Bieber, Martin Marietta - West Division
10:35 AM
Potential for Rare Earth Element Development from Coal Ash Resources in the US Gulf Coast
Robert C. Reedy, Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at Austin
11:00 AM
The Importance of Industrial Minerals in the Energy Transition
Abani Samal, GeoGlobal LLC
11:25 AM
50 Shades of Clay - What is a "Lithium Clay"?
Melissa M. Boerst, Independent Consultant
1:00 PM
Potential for Rare Earth Element Development from Coal Resources in the US Gulf Coast
Bridget Scanlon, Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin
1:25 PM
Geology of Texas Industrial Minerals
Brent A. Elliott and J. Richard Kyle, Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin
1:50 PM
Industrial Mineral Resources of the Llano Uplift, Central Texas
J. Richard Kyle and Brent A. Elliott, Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin
2:15 PM
Limestone Rock Asphalt Deposits in SW Texas
Michelle Lee, Westward
2:40 PM
Geology and History of Sulfur Production in West Texas
David Crouse, Omya
9:10 AM
The Role of Graphite in a Changing Energy Landscape: A Geological Perspective
M. Rebecca Stokes, U.S. Geological Survey, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center
9:35 AM
Widespread Adaptive Reuse of Aggregate Pits and Quarries
Steven J. Stokowski, Stone Products Consultants
10:00 AM
Industrial Minerals in the San Juan Basin Area of New Mexico
Virginia T. McLemore, New Mexico Bureau of Geology/New Mexico Tech
10:25 AM
Controls on Lithium Content of Oilfield Waters in Texas and Neighboring States
JP Nicot, Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin
10:50 AM
REE Distribution of Selected Deposits in New Mexico
Evan Owen, New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources
Slide Template
Check back for emerging details.
Sunday, May 21
Field Trip | 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Part I - Pilot Knob volcano, Austin, TX
The first stop of the day will be at the Pilot Knob volcano located near the Bergstrom airport in south central Austin. Pilot Knob is the core of a volcano that has been eroded into four, low relief hills that cover a two square mile area. Mustafa Saribudak will be our guide and will discuss the geophysical work he has performed to date at the site to map the subsurface of the volcanic outcrop.
8:00 am - Depart from UT-Autin, J.J. Pickle Research Campus, University Commons Center
8:45 am - Arrive at Bergstrom Airport south of Austin for presentation - Pilot Knob volcanic outcrop (8 miles from Campus)
11:00 am - Depart for lunch in Lockhart, TX (20 miles south)
11:30 am - Arrive for lunch at Black's BBQ, Lockhart, TX
1:00 pm - Depart restaurant
Part II - Bentonite pits near Gonzalez, TX
The objectives of this field trip are to investigate the various aspects of Texas bentonite geology, surface mining operation, geochemistry, soil and environmental issues, and mine reclamation; and to discuss geological and geochemical processes of volcanic ash deposits in east central Texas and the effects of these processes on clay chemical and physical properties of bentonites.
1:30 pm - Arrive at the Helms bentonite deposit for tour and discussion
2:30 pm - Leave Helms deposit
2:40 pm - Arrive at the DuBose bentonite deposit for tour and discussion
4:00 pm - Leave the DuBose bentonite deposit
6:00 pm - Arrive at UT-Austin, J.J. Pickle Research Campus, University Commons Center
What to Wear: Layered clothing, sensible shoes for walking, sunscreen and a hat. We recommend you bring additional sunscreen, we will be out in the sun.
Monday, May 22
Breakfast | 8:00 am
Technical Sessions | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Lunch | Noon
SME does not have a room block, but is recommending Element Austin at The Domain for any hotel reservations.
Chair | Sallie Gaillard, United States Gypsum Company, Fort Dodge Quarry & Quality Manager
Vice Chair | Vanessa Santos, BYK USA, Global Sourcing Geologist, Gonzales, TX and Grand Junction, CO
Vice Chair, Field Trips | Michelle Lee, Westward Environmental, Inc., Senior Geologist, Boerne, TX
Vice Chair | Rusty Winn, PB Materials, Engineering Manager, Lubbock, TX
SME Staff Liaison | Carol Kiser, SME Award & Scholarship Coordinator
In the Aggregates Forty-two Years in the Sandbox highlights the importance of the aggregates industry to the economy and to modern society. Readers will learn about exploration techniques, real estate acquisition, permitting, mining and production methodology, management philosophy, and sustainability. Industry author Andrew Haumesser brings his wealth of knowledge and humorous writing style to this text.
The 59th Forum on the Geology of Industrial Minerals invites you to submit abstracts to accompany oral papers. The focus of the 2023 Forum is Industrial Minerals of Texas and the Southwest.
All submittals must be in English. Oral presentations will be 30 minutes in length with additional time for Q&A.
Abstracts must include the following to be considered:
Deadline to submit abstract: April 30, 2023
The Forum on the Geology of Industrial Minerals (FGIM) is an international meeting of geologists and mining professionals interested in industrial minerals.
For over half a century the Forum's focus has been on the geology of industrial minerals with an emphasis on the promotion of the knowledge and organization of mining, mineral processing, regulation and reclamation through the forum meetings, presentations and field trips.
Planning to pursue the Certified Mine Safety Professional (CMSP) credential, and looking for something to jump start your preparations? This 3-day virtual course is designed to provide a high-level review of the CMSP Body of Knowledge. Attend this course to: Refresh your foundational safety and health knowledge Assess your strength and weakness around CMSP domains Determine areas for further study Gain confidence in your abilities Network with others interested in pursuing the CMSP...
The recent advancements in machine vision systems such as 3D camera have proven to be a significant advantage in capturing critical real-time and processing over-the-edge computing devices that can give meaningful insights in real-time. In this paper we propose a unique setup to capture and process data real time using 3D machine vision camera system and applying deep learning models to detect the ore size, texture and characteristics using continuous rock flow video data. The insights are then ...
Monitoring convergence in underground mines is an important part of evaluating the ground convergence rate and determining appropriate ground support to ensure safety to miners. Inadequate convergence monitoring can result in a delayed response to rapid convergence, inconsistent results, and poor allocation of ground support resources. This study compares methods for monitoring ground convergence by accuracy and precision of measurements from multiple persons at different locations within a sing...
