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The Mining Safety Center of Excellence (SCE) is dynamically addressing the most pressing safety and health challenges in the mining industry utilizing technology and innovative solutions.

The University of Arizona’s Geotechnical Center of Excellence (GCE) recently hosted the International Slope Stability Symposium, drawing over 600 experts from 24 countries to Tucson. This biennial event, focusing on slope design, maintenance, and monitoring for open pit mines, marked a return to in-person gatherings after COVID-19 disruptions. GCE's reputation for solving mining geotechnical challenges and access to local mines made Tucson a preferred location. The symposium facilitated valuable connections and showcased innovations to enhance mining safety and environmental practices. Student engagement initiatives and networking opportunities were also highlights, reinforcing the importance of cultivating the next generation of mining professionals.

The new video series “Mining is Us”, created by the School of Mining and Mineral Resources Outreach team, seeks to highlight many of the individuals involved in the industry to inspire youth to go into the industry

Carmala Garzione, College of Science Dean at the University of Arizona, explains why it is time to transform mineral resource education for a fast-changing world, and how the new School of Mining and Mineral Resources is taking it to a whole new level.

Lily Guthrie, a senior at the University of Arizona, originally attracted to MRI studies, diversified her studies to include Psychology, Finance, Business administration, and Personal and Family Financial Planning. Active in the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration Arizona student chapter, Guthrie emphasizes the plentiful hands-on opportunities and networking in the mining industry. Introduced to Intercollegiate Mining Games, she found a welcoming community despite her non-mining major. Emphasizing the importance of business perspectives in mining, Guthrie aims to pursue financial planning while remaining open to opportunities in the industry. Her advice to students: make connections, pursue happiness, and explore diverse paths.

A new seminar series on "Mineral Resources and Their Implications for Our Society" will discuss challenges and potential solutions around mining and the transition to a decarbonized econonomy.

A multi-department UArizona team is working to provide a state-of-the-art, Arizona-wide database of abandoned mining-related features, coupled with an assessment of associated risks and opportunities.

The School of Mining and Mineral Resources at the University of Arizona provides students with valuable internship opportunities to gain practical experience and explore career paths. From on-site roles at mining companies like Freeport-McMoRan to consulting positions at firms like WSP, internships help students like Nicholas Tillotson and Biraj Lama clarify their career goals. Applying early, seeking resume feedback, and applying to multiple positions are key to securing internships. Once selected, interns benefit from technical skill development and exposure to company culture. With resources like Handshake and the Mining & Geological Engineering job board, UArizona students have support in securing internships and jobs in the mining industry.

Greatness Ojum, an undergraduate student in mining engineering at the University of Arizona, discovered her passion for rocks and the mining industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally interested in biomedical engineering, Ojum switched to mining engineering after realizing its alignment with her family's background in the oil industry and her love for travel. As the president of the Women in Mining student chapter, she aims to promote diversity and inclusion in the industry, particularly encouraging more Africans to join. Ojum's dedication to her studies and her involvement in various extracurricular activities demonstrate her leadership and commitment to making a positive impact in the mining sector.

Doctoral student Xenia De Gracia Medina, with support from UArizona’s Mineral Resources Research and Innovation Initiative, has started experiments that allow researchers to see what happens to tailings material when subjected to certain conditions specific to where the material was collected.

David Killick, a Professor of Anthropology and Adjunct Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Arizona, was inspired by prehistoric metallurgy during his undergraduate studies. Born in Malawi, he pursued geology, history, and archaeology in South Africa and later earned a PhD in Anthropology from Yale. Killick has taught interdisciplinary courses in anthropology, materials science, and Africana studies since joining the University of Arizona in 1991. His research spans early African metallurgy and global materials origins, emphasizing collaboration across departments. As he nears retirement in 2023, Killick encourages students to explore the history of materials and its relevance to modern mining practices.

It’s back-to-school time of year, and SME wanted to get a first-hand account of what it’s like to be involved in a SME Student Chapter. Here’s some insights from Katie Elizabeth Slaughter, SME Student Chapter president at the University of Arizona. Slaughter is majoring in mining engineering and geology.