Since 2017, Freeport has been the exclusive investor in SME’s Academic Career Development Grant Program, which provides US$100K per year for a maximum of three years to select newly employed, non-tenured assistant or associate professors. Through this programme, tenure-track professors find the financial support needed to better participate in activities such as research, publication, and professional services, which are necessary to achieve tenure and promotion. Since the debut of the programme in 2015, 13 SME Academic Career Development Grant recipients have achieved tenure.

SME has implemented programmes like these to address the long-term challenges that threaten the sustainability of US mining and mineral processing/extractive metallurgy academic degree granting programmes, as well as the looming future labour deficiencies associated with retirements over the next two decades. Per the partnership, Freeport will maintain its status as an SME Foundation Corporate Roundtable Partner through at least 2028, which entails continued funding to this critical initiative.

In addition, the partnership supports the strong membership of Freeport’s employee base, offering access to the wide variety of professional development benefits enjoyed by over 14 000 SME members. Freeport will also continue to be a high-profile sponsor of certain SME events, including maintaining their status as a MINEXCHANGE Influencer-level sponsor. At this flagship industry event, Freeport serves as a prominent sponsor of the Student Engagement Breakfast, the Women of SME Breakfast and the Graduate Student Poster Contest.

David L. Kanagy, SME Executive Director and CEO, said:

“Given what we have already accomplished together, we are beyond thrilled to establish a formal strategic partnership with our friends at Freeport. Helping to ensure the long-term viability of our mining schools remains a top priority, and we will continue to leverage our resources to make sure it happens.”