The Mining and Metallurgical Society of America (MMSA) is a
professional organization dedicated to increasing public awareness and
understanding about mining and why mined materials are essential to modern
society and human well being. MMSA delivers this message to two different public
sectors:
Since its inception in 1908, MMSA has provided valuable
information and guidance to federal, state and local governments on a number of
important public policy issues dealing with mining. MMSA has also made
substantial contributions to educational programs that help teachers inform
students about mining and how minerals are used. In the ninety years since then,
MMSA has played an important role in a series of actions benefiting the
industry.
The 114 charter members who started MMSA were men of
extraordinary vision who recognized the need for a mining professional society
to focus on the complex policy issues facing the mining industry.
As examples of MMSA’s contributions, MMSA played a pivotal
role in persuading Congress to establish the U.S. Bureau of Mines, helped
institute annual financial reports for corporations to protect investors, and
led the campaign to appoint state mine inspectors. This tradition of involvement
in key mining policy issues continues today.
MMSA members work with other organizations such as the
American Exploration and Mining Association to develop information useful in legislative and public policy
dialogues about mining. MMSA members have provided advice, given testimony,
passed resolutions, and developed professional papers on a number of important
issues including revisions to the Mining Law, mine taxation, health and safety,
labor relations, economics, the environment, and education. The Government Committee continues to monitor legislation related to mining and develops policy statements to guide legislators about reasonable regulations.
Today, MMSA’s members include men and women who are
executives, leaders, and decision makers in engineering, law, education, and the
scientific disciplines related to mining and mineral processing. Membership in
MMSA provides these professionals with a unique opportunity to contribute their
energy and expertise to mining public policy and educational arenas. In this
way, membership in MMSA is highly complementary to membership in other industry
professional societies that are primarily focused on the technical aspects of
mining and mineral processing.
Membership in MMSA is by invitation based on recommendations
from existing members. Candidates must demonstrate the highest level of
leadership, technical competence, ethical standards, and desire to promote the
interests of the Society. MMSA is actively seeking new, qualified members who
are interested in contributing their energy and leadership. If an MMSA Member
has notified you that you are being considered for membership, we are pleased to
consider your application. To assist you in this, please click on the Membership
Information link.
Policy Statement
We perceive our highest priority to be that of increasing the
level of public understanding of the importance of the mineral industry to human
life. We believe this message needs to be
delivered to both policy makers and educators. In the public policy arena, we
develop information that informs lawmakers of the importance of a vigorous
mineral industry, and how the modern mining industry provides society with
essential mined materials while protecting the environment during mining,
closure, and reclamation. We believe decision makers must have this information
in order to make sound policy decisions that affect mining.
On the educational front, we believe public attitudes are
derived in large measure from prior and current educational experiences. We thus
recognize the importance of providing teachers with useful, appealing, and
accurate teaching materials. Our educational efforts help fund programs to
improve public education about mining and minerals at all grade levels, from
elementary school through university classes.
MMSA makes contributions to these educational programs from a
modest endowment. MMSA constantly seeks out and provides financial assistance to
programs and projects we believe will benefit the mineral industry by providing
the public with sound information about mining.
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Summary of Key Current
MMSA Programs
and Activities
Jackling Fund -
Administration of the Jackling Fund is one of MMSA’s most important
activities. This award was established in 1959 with a $20,000 bequest in the
will of Daniel C. Jackling, a charter MMSA member. The Fund supports mining and
metallurgy research and education through scholarships, chairs, and
professorships. The Fund also advances mining, metallurgy, and general science
by assisting other societies and institutions. Annual disbursements from the
Fund range from $40,000 to $60,000. The principal, which is now in excess of
$750,000, is invested in stocks, bonds, and money market instruments. Like MMSA,
the fund is tax-exempt.
Gold Medal Award - From
time to time, MMSA awards a Gold Medal to an individual for exemplary
professional or public service. As shown in Table 1, twenty-eight distinguished
professionals have received this Gold Medal award.
Contributions to Educational Programs -
MMSA is a significant contributor to mineral education projects and
organizations. The Minerals Information Institute (MII)
is an example of the type mining education project supported by MMSA.
Annual and Section Meetings –
MMSA’s annual meeting is typically held in February or March in conjunction
with the annual meeting of the Society for Mining Metallurgy and Exploration,
Inc. (SME). MMSA chapters
located in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah also hold periodic
meetings.
Mining Law Work Group - MMSA has formed a Mining Law Work Group to
examine key policy issues affecting the future of the hardrock mining industry.
Working in coordination with the Northwest Mining Association (NWMA),
MMSA's Mining Law Work Group has recently initiated a project to develop white
papers on several topics relevant to the current legislative and regulatory
debates about mining on public lands. NWMA, and other industry advocates may use
these papers in future public policy dialogues about mining.
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History
At the turn of the century, the United States began a long
period of unparalleled industrial expansion. By 1908, the most prominent men in
the natural resources industries envisioned the enormous growth and changes the
country would face. A group of 114 of them joined together and formed The Mining
and Metallurgical Society of America to formally commit themselves to work for:
- Conservation of mineral resources
- Advancement of the mining and metallurgical industries
- Better protection of mine investors and mine workers
- Increase of scientific knowledge
- Encouragement of high professional ideals and ethics
Since its founding more than 80 years ago, the Society has grappled with
virtually every issue the mining industry faced over the decades. The Society's
many professional papers, resolutions, speeches and positions helped shape the
development of America's mining industry and literally provided our country with
its most basic building blocks.
With the country facing new problems in such diverse areas as energy
consumption, urban decay, and space exploration it is more important than ever
to be able to depend on a competent, responsible mineral industry. Industry
professionals from business, government and academia who constitute the Mining
and Metallurgical Society remain committed to its original objectives and are
convinced that solutions to today's problems will be forthcoming with hard work
and dedication.
Affairs of the Society are managed by a President, Vice President, Secretary,
Treasurer and a Board of Councilors. Officers and councilors are elected by the
membership. Local Sections are allowed to appoint a councilor. At this writing,
three Local Sections have been formed: San Francisco, Denver and Arizona.
Details on the operation of the Society are presented in the sections on
"Constitution" and "By-Laws".
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News from Organizations Supported by MMSA
Minerals Education Coalition - http://www.mineralseducationcoalition.org/
Western Museum of Mining and Industry - www.wmmi.org
Women's Mining Coalition - http://www.wmc-usa.org
A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum - http://www.museum.mtu.edu/
Colorado Mining Association - www.ColoradoMining.org
