May 31, 2017 - The National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum (NMHFM) has announced the 2017 National Mining Hall of Fame inductees.  This year’s inductees, selected by the National Mining Hall of Fame’s Board of Governors, represent exploration and extraction of new frontiers, environmental stewardship, leadership in formulating U.S. mineral policy, education, and research and development. The contributions of these individuals have undoubtedly had a significant and lasting impact on the mineral and mining industry; these individuals were selected for being visionary leaders, innovators, authors, pioneers in corporate social responsibility, and long-standing advocates for the U.S. mining industry.

Dr. Thomas V. Falkie, Leonard Harris, Dr. Vincent E. McKelvey, and Gordon R. Parker will join 236 other mining industry luminaries when formally inducted into the National Mining Hall of Fame on Sept. 23, 2017.  The 30th Annual Induction Banquet and Ceremony will be held at the Pinnacle Club, Grand Hyatt in Denver, CO. 

2017 National Mining Hall of Fame Inductees:

Dr. Thomas V. Falkie – In a career spanning six decades, Dr. Thomas (Tom) Falkie’s accomplishments in industry, academia, government, and professional societies demonstrate a pattern of integrity and sustained excellence. His gravitas and management style left highly favorable impressions in every position he held. He was the Chairman and President of Berwind Natural Resources Corporation; President of the Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME); President of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Engineers (AIME); Director of the United States Bureau of Mines (USBM) and Head of the Department of Mineral Engineering at the Pennsylvania State University. Falkie held major leadership roles in the American Mining Congress, National Coal Association, Mining and Metallurgical Society of America, and the National Mining Association. He served on the Board of Directors of Foote Minerals and Cyprus-Amax and was very active in the National Academy of Engineering, the SME Foundation, and the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum. Falkie’s contributions to the industry span the disciplines of science, engineering, technology, management, education, and policy-making.  He was a pioneer in recognizing the potential applications of the emerging computer industry in planning, designing, and managing mineral operations.

Leonard Harris – A highly-regarded metallurgist and business executive, Leonard (Len) Harris may be most remembered for the heart he has for the people whose lives were touched by his career. For more than six decades Len has been a true pioneer in corporate social responsibility, leading companies to understand that doing the right thing for the local people is also the best path to business success. After an early career in Australia and Ghana, Harris moved to Peru in 1955 to join Cerro de Pasco Corporation, owner several mines with one of the most complex metallurgical operations in the world. He was quickly promoted through multiple positions and was ultimately named Director of Metallurgy. Harris was later named President and General Manager Newmont Peru and Vice President and General Manager Newmont Latin America. Since his retirement in 1995, he has served on dozens of mining company boards, held leadership positions in many mining societies, and received numerous prestigious awards including the Herbert Hoover Gold Medal Award.

Dr. Vincent E. McKelvey – Dr. Vincent McKelvey was among the preeminent authorities on deep-sea mineral deposits. His diverse accomplishments range from conceptual to the practical, including the development of a new framework for the assessment of mineral resources and an improved understanding of the mineral potential of the ocean floor. His leadership and vision as the Director of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) provided the scientific basis for advancing the exploration capacity of the mining industry on a global scale. McKelvey was visionary in the USGS’s efforts to make scientific information more practical and accessible. He broadened USGS efforts into environmental issues, land-use planning, water quality/hydrologic characterization, geohazard assessment, mineral resource discovery, and improved scientific tools and techniques for exploration and assessment.

Gordon R. Parker – As the Chairman and CEO of Newmont Mining Corporation, Gordon R. Parker maneuvered through multiple hostile takeover events in the 1980’s and played the pivotal leadership role in preserving Newmont’s independence. He was devoted to the protection of corporate assets and preserving shareholders’ interests. Through his formidable leadership, Parker led the restructuring of the company from a diversified mining house to a major gold producer. Parker played a leading role in the creation of the World Gold Council and served as Founding Chairman. His concern for an equitable resolution of Federal laws governing mineral exploration and mining extraction and their impact on the wellbeing of the U.S. mining industry led to the creation of the Mineral Alliance, of which he became Chairman. As Vice Chairman, Parker was instrumental in revitalizing the American Mining Congress, now known as the National Mining Association. Parker was a Founder of the National Mining Hall of Fame. 

Commenting on this year’s inductees, NMHFM Board of Directors Chairman Frank McAllister said, “We are delighted to honor those selected for induction this year into the National Mining Hall of Fame.  Their contributions to the mining industry are immense, their legacies wide-ranging and their profiles exhibit the diversity of talents necessary in our great industry.”

McAllister further reports The Board of Directors of the NMHFM recently approved changes to eligibility requirements and the submission deadline for inductee candidates. Inductees must have had a personal impact on the mining industry for 30 years or more and must be at least 55 years of age. The deadline for nominations is December 31 each year. Complete nomination procedures, as well as full-length biographies and photographs of all prior inductees, are available at www.mininghalloffame.org/page/hall-fame.

For details about the induction banquet, please contact: Francine Webber, Events Manager, 719-486-1229, Francine@MiningHallofFame.org. 

Dr. Thomas Falkie 

Leonard Harris

Dr. Vincent McKelvey

Gordon Parker