Benner named SME Mining Professional of the Year

The Minnesota Section of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME) named Blair Benner Mining Professional of the Year 2010 at their annual conference April 20-21 held in Duluth, Minn.

Benner is a program director and metallurgist at the University of Minnesota Duluth Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI). He directs the Minerals Benefication Program at NRRI’s Coleraine Lab with over 40 years of research and development experience in mineral processing and extractive metallurgy. Most recently, Benner has focused on the application of mineral processing techniques for environmental remediation.

The SME is the world’s largest society of minerals professionals to advance the mining and minerals community through information exchange and professional development. The Minnesota Section selects one individual each year who stands out to their mining peers for their contributions.

"The SME Mining Professional award is presented to recognize an outstanding individual who has bettered the Minnesota mining industry with their expertise and dedication," said Section Chair Jack Croswell. "Blair’s contributions, through his work at the NRRI and support of the SME, are many and we are pleased to recognize him for those contributions."