When
W.C. Lacy Distinguished Lecture
Friday, November 7, 2025, 4 to 7 p.m.
Center for Creative Photography
Pat Risner
South32 Hermosa President
"Hermosa: Developing a Next-Generation, Different Kind of Mine"
Reception to follow.
For more information on the W.C. Lacy Distinguished Lecture, visit the webpage.
Contact: Denise Sandoval | midsandoval@arizona.edu
Pat Risner is a mining executive with over 30 years of industry experience. He has held executive and global leadership roles in operations, project development, and health, safety, and environment across Australia and the United States. He has an extensive background in developing and implementing project strategies delivering results in complex, highly regulated global environments.
Risner became president of South32 Hermosa in 2019. Located near Patagonia, Arizona, Hermosa is an advanced mine development project in the United States that could produce two federally designated critical minerals—zinc and manganese — which are essential minerals for powering the nation's energy future. As a greenfield project, South32 aims to set a new standard in sustainable mining at Hermosa through its intentional design and development. The project is fully permitted and in construction with first production expected in 2027. Pat also represents South32 on the joint venture board for the Ambler Metals project in Alaska and serves on the advisory boards for the University of Arizona’s Mining and Geological Engineering department and Geosciences department as well as the Nogales Santa Cruz County Port Authority Board.