April 9, 2025 - During the MINEXCHANGE 2025 SME Annual Conference & Expo, the SME Board welcomed a new president-elect, a new board intern and two new directors including Dr. Ravi Ravishankar. During his three-year term as a Member of the SME Board, Dr. Ravishankar will also serve as the board representative to the Finance Committee and the Audit Committee. Below Ravishankar outlines his path to becoming a director and why he believes being part of this industry right now will be an exciting ride.

Homyack: Please explain your SME path to the SME Board of Directors, i.e., past committee and chair positions:

Ravishankar: I started my SME journey when I was doing my graduate studies at Virginia Tech as a student member. Although my initial years in SME were mainly with MPD, I joined IMAD within few years since I was doing R&D work for companies producing industrial minerals-based products. While I was with IMAD, I coauthored and presented many publications and at the same time involved in IMAD activities. I was able to progress faster from technical chair to program chair and to the Division chair in IMAD. I also served on the Structure and Governance Committee which gave me a rich experience on the governance of SME. Throughout SME career I enjoyed mentoring and helping aspiring younger members. And, I am glad to have this opportunity to serve in SME board.

Homyack: What are your goals as a member of the SME Board?

Ravishankar: I was quite excited when I was assigned to oversee the Finance Committee. The year 2025 is emerging to be a bit uncertain from the choice of investments and the returns viewpoint. Saving our “nest egg” is going to be of paramount importance to me to ensure robust financial fundamentals of our SME. As a board member, I want to pay close attention to the financial health of SME and facilitate navigating challenging postures ahead.

Homyack: What advice do you have for someone just joining SME or the mining industry?

Ravishankar: I learned from SME, a long time ago, that “If it can’t be grown, it has to be mined”. It is a powerful statement that resonates in me about the necessity, stability and future of the industry. With all the ongoing and upcoming connected technologies in electronics, EVs and construction, almost every metal in the entire periodic table is going to be critical in the hardware development and that is what makes the mining industry and SME incredibly relevant. The nature gives no choice to the mining industry, and yet the industry has to meet the demand. This is the remarkable part of the mining industry and if you are part of it, you are assured of an exciting ride.

Homyack: What are your thoughts about the near-term future of SME?

Ravishankar: SME has been, is, and will be pivotal to the growth of mining industry. It has the key responsibility for content, connectivity and concentration of talent. SME will always serve as the consciousness of the mining industry with an outstanding slate continuing leadership.

Homyack: What are your thoughts on the state of the mining industry?

Ravishankar: The mining industry is becoming increasingly cognizant of holistic consequentialism through increasing sustainability focus and connected technologies. This trend will continue with a renewed rigor from the younger generations led by experienced work force.

Homyack: Anything else you would like to add?

Ravishankar: I express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors for SME and I am very excited to contribute my expertise to the SME’s future success. I am particularly passionate about SME having a sound financial backing for all the great work it does, and I believe my experience will be valuable in guiding strategic decisions and achieving our goals. I look forward to working collaboratively with the rest of the board and the team to further SME’s impactful work within our mining community.

Thank you again for this prestigious appointment.