The Metallic Student Design Competition (SDC) is a hard rock competition focused on the evaluation of a mineral deposit (precious/base metal or industrial mineral) and the development of a potential flowsheet and process design. The competition will be conducted in two stages, with the second stage and final judging taking place at the SME annual conference. The new Metallic SDC is modeled after the SME/NSSGA competition, which is based on an aggregate mining industry design problem.
Coming soon. Register your teams for the 2026-2027 Metallic Student Design Competition!
Key dates for 2026-2027:
- August 31: Registration opens
- September 21: Phase 1 begins
- Last day to register your team - No deadline; however, the teams must submit their Phase 1 solution by the date below.
- November 22: Phase 1 solution due
- December 20: Phase 2 teams announced
- February 26: Phase 2 begins (at SME Annual Conference)
- February 28: Phase 2 final presentations and judging; Phase 2 winners announced
Download the 2026-2027 Metallic Student Design Competition Guidelines
For more information, please contact:
Mona Vandervoort, SME Education Coordinator
vandervoort@smenet.org
+1 (303) 948-4227
Sponsored by Rio Tinto
