Lacy Lecture Series

2025 W.C. Lacy Distinguished Lecture

Friday, November 7 | 4 to 7 p.m.
Center for Creative Photography

Join the School of Mining Engineering and Mineral Resources for the annual W.C. Lacy Distinguished Lecture with a reception to follow.

Pat Risner, South32 Hermosa President, presents "Hermosa: Developing a Next-Generation, Different Kind of Mine."

Risner is a mining executive with over 30 years of industry experience. He has held executive, global roles in operations, project development, health safety and environment in 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.

For more information on 2025 Homecoming, visit the event page.

The W.C. Lacy Distinguished Lecture Series

The annual W.C. Lacy Distinguished Lecture is a tribute to Willard C. "Bill" Lacy, the first head of the combined Department of Mining and Geological Engineering at the University of Arizona.

Speakers are chosen for their prominence in, and outstanding contributions to, the mining industry. In their talks, they share personal experiences, examine case studies and offer best practices for the modern mining engineer.

About W.C. Lacy

Willard C. "Bill" Lacy was born in 1916 to parents home on furlough from their posting as educational missionaries in China.

Lacy received an undergraduate degree in chemistry from DePauw University and an MS from the University of Illinois, where he met his wife, Jo. When his PhD program at Harvard was interrupted by World War II, he took a job with Titanium Alloy Manufacturing Co. to help seek materials critical to the war effort and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After finishing his degree, he went to work for Cerro de Pasco Copper Co. in Peru. He rose to the position of chief geologist in 1953.

Lacy returned to the U.S. in 1955 and was appointed full professor of geology at the University of Arizona. When John Forrester became dean of the College of Mines in 1956, Lacy was asked to establish and head the combined Department of Mining and Geological Engineering.

Lacy defined requirements for undergraduate programs in mining engineering and geological engineering, had the programs accredited by the Engineers' Council for Professional Development, and recruited students. He also established MS and PhD programs in both disciplines and prioritized hiring top professors, including John Abel, Bill Peters and John Sumner.

Students characterized Bill Lacy's teaching technique as challenging them with unsolvable problems while providing a framework for analysis – always with a focus on understanding the big picture of mining.

The UA Department of Mining and Geological Engineering is pleased to further his philosophy and carry out his legacy with the annual Lacy Lecture Series.

Previous Lecturers

2024: Timothy R. Snider - chairman and co-founder of Cupric Canyon Capital LP/GP
2023: Barbara Filas - 1978 UA Mining Engineering Graduate and Independent Consultant
2022: Mark Chalmers - Chief Executive Officer of Energy Fuels Resources Corporation
2021: Richard Adkerson – Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Freeport-McMoRan
2019: Jean Savage – Vice President of Surface Mining and Technology at Caterpillar
2018: Michelle Ash – Chief Innovation Officer, Barrick Gold Corp.
2017: Gary Goldberg – President and CEO, Newmont Mining Corp.
2016: Lukas H. Lundin – Principal, Lundin Group of Companies
2015: William Wilkinson – Vice President of Exploration in Africa, Freeport-McMoRan
2014: Charles Jeannes – President and CEO, GoldCorp
2013: Douglas B. Silver – Board Chair, Lowell Institute for Mineral Resources
2012: Ross R. Bhappu – Chair, Molycorp Inc., and Partner, Resource Capital Funds
2011: J. David Lowell – President and CEO, CIC Resources Inc.
2010: Gregory H. Boyce – Chairman and CEO, Peabody Energy
2009: Geoff Loudin – Chairman, Nautilus Minerals
2008: James Baker – Vice President, Environmental Affairs and Sustainability, Newmont Mining Corp.
2007: James R. Moffett – Chairman, Freeport-McMoRan
2006: Leigh Clifford – CEO, Rio Tinto

Distinguished Alumni Lectures

Prior to 2006, the department offered a distinguished alumni lecture series:

2005: "The Future of Coal and Clean Energy Technology"
Gregory H. Boyce – CEO, Peabody Energy
2004: "The Copper Business"
Dennis M. Bartlett – Senior Vice President of Development, Phelps Dodge
2003: "Sustainable Development and the Gold Business"
Jack E. Thompson Jr. – CEO, Homestake Mining
2002: "The Iron and Steel Business"
Thomas J. O'Neil – President and Chief Operating Officer, Cleveland-Cliffs Mining