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, and
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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!

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
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 |
---|---|---|---|
Omar A. Smith | Member | 03/01/2021 | 02/28/2024 |
Jen Pepe | Member | 03/01/2021 | 02/28/2024 |
Annelia Tinklenberg | Member | 03/01/2021 | 02/28/2024 |
Lisa N. Gonzales | Member | 03/01/2023 | 02/28/2024 |
Carol Kiser | SME Staff | 03/01/2021 | 02/28/2050 |
The Committee shall review the nominations for the Environmental Division Distinguished Service Award recipient.
Name | Position | Start | End |
---|---|---|---|
Jen Pepe | Chair | 03/01/2023 | 02/28/2024 |
Amar Patel | Member | 03/01/2022 | 02/28/2027 |
Annelia Tinklenberg | Member | 03/01/2021 | 02/28/2024 |
Omar A. Smith | Member | 03/01/2021 | 02/28/2024 |
Heather Halderman | Member | 03/01/2023 | 02/28/2028 |
Lisa N. Gonzales | Member | 03/01/2023 | 02/28/2024 |
Carol Kiser | SME Staff | 03/01/2021 | 02/28/2050 |
The Committee shall have oversight of all activities within the Environmental Division.
Name | Position | Start | End |
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Jen Pepe | Chair | 03/01/2023 | 02/28/2024 |
Annelia Tinklenberg | Vice Chair | 03/01/2023 | 02/28/2024 |
Lisa N. Gonzales | Past Chair | 03/01/2023 | 02/28/2024 |
Omar A. Smith | Secretary-Treasurer | 03/01/2023 | 02/28/2024 |
Amar Patel | Program Chair | 03/01/2023 | 02/28/2024 |
Heather Halderman | Program Planning Chair | 03/01/2023 | 02/28/2024 |
Nahomi Sayuri Caururo Norabuena | Representative | 03/01/2023 | 02/28/2024 |
Mackenzie Best | Representative | 03/01/2023 | 02/28/2024 |
Mr Chris Ryckeley | SME Staff | 04/19/2023 | 02/28/2030 |
The Membership Committee encourages interest and membership in EVD.
Name | Position | Start | End |
---|---|---|---|
Jen Pepe | Chair | 03/01/2023 | 02/28/2024 |
Jeff Keller, PG | Member | 03/01/2023 | 02/28/2024 |
Nina Astillero | Member | 03/01/2023 | 02/28/2024 |
Mr Chris Ryckeley | SME Staff | 03/15/2023 | 02/28/2050 |
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 |
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Lisa N. Gonzales | Chair | 03/01/2023 | 02/28/2024 |
Omar A. Smith | Member | 03/01/2023 | 02/28/2026 |
Amar Patel | Member | 03/01/2022 | 02/28/2027 |
Liane T S George | Member | 03/01/2022 | 02/28/2024 |
Annelia Tinklenberg | Member | 03/01/2021 | 02/28/2025 |
Jen Pepe | Member | 03/01/2020 | 02/28/2024 |
Heather Halderman | Member | 03/01/2023 | 02/28/2025 |
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 |
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Liane T S George | Chair | 03/01/2023 | 02/28/2025 |
James F. Renner, PG | Member | 03/01/2022 | 02/28/2024 |
Irene Montero | Member | 03/01/2022 | 02/28/2026 |
Emily Schlenker | Member | 03/01/2022 | 02/28/2024 |
Daniel Torres | Member | 03/01/2023 | 02/28/2026 |
Carol Kiser | SME Staff | 03/01/2021 | 02/28/2024 |
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 |
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Larry Williams | Chair | 03/01/2023 | 02/28/2024 |
Dr. Rens B. Verburg | Co-Chair | 03/01/2023 | 02/28/2024 |
Denise Levitan, PG, PHD | Past Chair | 03/01/2023 | 02/28/2024 |
Mr Chris Ryckeley | SME Staff | 04/19/2023 |
The Committee shall review the nominations for the SME/AIME Environmental Stewardship Distinguished Service Award and select the recipient.
Name | Position | Start | End |
---|---|---|---|
Annelia Tinklenberg | Chair | 03/01/2023 | 02/28/2024 |
Jen Pepe | Member | 03/01/2023 | 02/28/2025 |
Amar Patel | Member | 03/01/2022 | 02/28/2027 |
Lisa N. Gonzales | Member | 03/01/2022 | 02/28/2024 |
Omar A. Smith | Member | 03/01/2021 | 02/28/2024 |
Heather Halderman | Member | 03/01/2023 | 02/28/2027 |
Carol Kiser | SME Staff | 03/01/2021 | 02/28/2050 |
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.
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.
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.
Environmental Division Benefactor Award
Environmental Division Distinguished Service Award
Environmental Stewardship Distinguished Service Award
Environmental Division Benefactor Award
Environmental Division Benefactor Award
Nominations for this award will open on 04/01/2024
Environmental Division Distinguished Service Award
Environmental Division Distinguished Service Award
Nominations for this award will open on 04/01/2024
Environmental Stewardship Distinguished Service Award
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.