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:
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Promotes safe and environmentally sound mining practices.
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Provides a forum for the exchange of technical information, publishing technical papers, organizing technical meetings and programs.
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Encourages and promotes education on any subject related to these phases of the mining industry.
- 2025 - Environmental Division Annual Meeting Minutes
- 2024 - Environmental Division Annual 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
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!
Click here to view the photos on SME's Flickr page
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 Scholarships
Environmental Division Committees
Volunteer Questions
Do you have questions about getting involved? Contact volunteer@smenet.org for more information about how you can share your passions with the industry.
Environmental Division Committees
The Environmental Division Benefactor Award is administered by the SME Environmental Division Executive Committee.
| Name | Position | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omar A. Smith | Chair | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Amar Patel | Member | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Heather Halderman | Member | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Nina Astillero | Member | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Mrs Genevieve M. Sutton | Member | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Annelia Tinklenberg | Member | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
The Committee shall review the nominations for the Environmental Division Distinguished Service Award recipient.
| Name | Position | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omar A. Smith | Chair | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Mrs Genevieve M. Sutton | Member | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Heather Halderman | Member | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Amar Patel | Member | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Nina Astillero | Member | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Annelia Tinklenberg | Member | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
The Committee shall have oversight of all activities within the Environmental Division.
| Name | Position | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omar A. Smith | Chair | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Amar Patel | Vice Chair | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Annelia Tinklenberg | Past Chair | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Heather Halderman | Secretary-Treasurer | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Mrs Genevieve M. Sutton | Program Chair | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Nina Astillero | Program Planning Chair | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Laura A. Nelson | SME Staff | 02/12/2024 |
The Membership Committee encourages interest and membership in EVD.
| Name | Position | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omar A. Smith | Chair | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Annelia Tinklenberg | Past Chair | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Hannah Chop | Member | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Emily Sportsman | Member | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annelia Tinklenberg | Chair | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Heather Halderman | Member | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Mrs Genevieve M. Sutton | Member | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Denise Levitan, PG, PHD | Member | 03/01/2024 | 02/28/2026 |
| Nina Astillero | Member | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Amar Patel | Member | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2027 |
| Omar A. Smith | Member | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Lisa N. Gonzales | Member | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2027 |
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 |
| Ms Elham Rahimi, PHD | Member | 03/01/2024 | 02/28/2026 |
| Daniel Torres | Member | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2027 |
| Mackenzie Best | Member | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2027 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patrick T. Williamson, PG, QP | Chair | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Ethan Wologo | Vice Chair | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Dr. Rens B. Verburg | Past Chair | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Dr. Linda A. Figueroa | Member | 03/20/2024 | 02/28/2026 |
| Mackenzie Best | Member | 04/04/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Jeff Gillow, PHD | Member | 04/04/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| James J. Gusek | Member | 04/04/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Mr. Michael Hay, PHD | Member | 04/04/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Lisa Kirk | Member | 04/04/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| William Lipps | Member | 04/04/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Cole Mayer | Member | 04/04/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Dr. Virginia T. McLemore | Member | 04/04/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Irene Montero | Member | 04/04/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Patricia B. Moran, Ph.D | Member | 04/04/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| PJ Nolan | Member | 04/04/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Leslie M. Watson | Member | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Denise Levitan, PG, PHD | Member | 04/04/2025 | |
| R David Williams | Member | 04/04/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Lauren Bozeman | Member | 01/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Devin Castendyk | Member | 01/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Andrew Nicholson | Member | 01/01/2025 | |
| Dr. Rennie B. Kaunda | Member | 01/01/2025 | |
| Laura A. Nelson | SME Staff | 03/01/2024 |
The Committee shall review the nominations for the SME/AIME Environmental Stewardship Distinguished Service Award and select the recipient.
| Name | Position | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amar Patel | Chair | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Heather Halderman | Member | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Mrs Genevieve M. Sutton | Member | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Nina Astillero | Member | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Omar A. Smith | Member | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Annelia Tinklenberg | Member | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |