Bureau’s Rich Kyle Receives SME Hardinge Award
Bureau of Economic Geology researcher Dr. Rich Kyle recently received the 2023 Hal Williams Hardinge Award, as well as the 2023 Mineral Industry Education Award, at the annual meeting of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, & Exploration (SME). The Mineral Industry Education Award citation read, “In recognition of more than four decades of distinguished teaching of mineral resources and support of mining industry colleagues through applied research publications, short courses, and field trips.”
The Hardinge Award was presented to Kyle by the SME Industrial Minerals Division and read “In recognition of his efforts as an educator, mentor, geoscientist, editor, and mining professional, and for his contributions to the knowledge of industrial minerals and earth resources.” Dr. Kyle mentored many graduate and undergraduate students, including those of underrepresented groups, providing practical experience that helped prepare them for applied research and mineral industry careers.
Rich Kyle’s Texas industrial minerals research and public service was done with Bureau appointments, starting with the publication The Barite Industry and Resources of Texas, and more recently with chapters four and eight in Report of Investigation 286, The Geologic Basement of Texas: A Volume in Honor of Peter T. Flawn, as well as decadal versions of the Texas Industrial Minerals map. He compiled the Texas mineral industry annual review for Mining Engineering from 2001 to 2008. Kyle and Brent Elliott recently published an update “Past, present, and future of Texas industrial minerals” in Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration. He is a longtime participant in the annual Forum on the Geology of Industrial Minerals and is a member of the SME Legion of Honor.
Dr. Kyle continues as a Senior Geological Advisor at the Bureau of Economic Geology, with responsibilities primarily in industrial and critical minerals research.
Please join all of us at the Bureau in congratulating Rich Kyle on being recognized with these prestigious awards!