SME keynote session highlights future of mining

The Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME) will host its keynote session during its Annual Conference & Expo Feb. 15-18 at the Colorado Convention Center. The keynote is set to take place at 8:30 a.m. on Feb. 16.

The session, titled “The Mine of the Future: Forecasting Opportunity and Challenges for the Global Mining Industry,” will showcase a range of mining sectors and feature a number of industry leaders.

Peter Bryant, senior fellow and co-founder of the Kellogg Innovation Network, will moderate the keynote. Participants in the panel include Red Conger, president of Freeport-McMoRan; Dean Gehring, president and CEO of Rio Tinto Minerals; Greg Boyce, chairman and CEO of Peabody Energy; Christopher Curfman, vice president of the mining sales and support division of Caterpillar; Barry Hudson, director of aggregates in Northern Europe for HeidelbergCement Group; and Brian Conlin, president and CEO of Golder Associates.

According to SME, the panel will address the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for each of the sectors in the mining industry.