This story was originally published in the 2024 edition of Discovery magazine, the College of Science's publication. This edition of Discovery celebrated the 20th anniversary of the College of Science.
When prospective students arrive on campus to take their Nevada Bound tours, one of the stops is the Mackay statue at the north end of the University’s historic Quad. The statue stands proudly in front of the Mackay Mines building, with John W. Mackay’s face looking toward Virginia City.
The Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, named for "Bonanza King" John W. Mackay, has a history closely tied to that of the mining industry. Besides the Mackay family’s contributions, the school has received significant support from leading companies and individuals in mining.
For over a century, the mining industry in Nevada has hired graduating students with expertise in local geology, ready to dive into the workforce. Students in the Department of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering frequently graduate with multiple job offers (and substantial salaries to go with them).
Minerals like lithium and cobalt are becoming increasingly sought after to support the transition to cleaner energy use. Domestic mining not only decreases costs associated with moving minerals halfway around the globe, but also provides an alternative source of minerals to those mined in unsafe conditions abroad.
Students and faculty are consistently making strides toward cleaner mining operations. Whether it be hosting mine closure conferences, partnering with materials recycling companies, examining mine tailings for previously overlooked materials or training students to drive mine haul trucks with augmented reality (this mining simulator technology was graciously donated in-kind by Ledcor Group), faculty across the mining and metallurgical engineering department are making a difference.
The industry has played a pivotal role in investing in future experts by endowing professorships, providing scholarships, bringing students on as interns and more. Thanks to ongoing support from companies including Barrick, Newmont, their joint venture Nevada Gold Mines operated by Barrick, SSR Mining, Freeport-McMoRan, Coeur Mining, Kappes, Cassiday & Associates and many more, students graduating from the Mackay School will continue to be leaders in their fields.
"One of the biggest opportunities for students at the Mackay School is direct access to industry partners," Mackay School Director Annie Huhta '18 EMBA said. "We at the Mackay School understand how crucial industry partnerships are for the future of mining and we are grateful to our many partners who serve to make the next generation of miners, metallurgists and geologists some of the best in the world."
