2019 Lifetime Achievement Award
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Gene E. McClelland​
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Gene E. McClelland is the recently retired President and founder of McClelland Laboratories, Inc., an extractive metallurgical analytical corporation that serves the mining industry worldwide. Gene has an extensive background in metallurgical research and testing and holds over 90 publications, numerous presentations, and 3 patents related to the extractive metallurgy of gold, silver, copper, and uranium. His environmental publications include issues related to acid rock drainage, heap neutralization, waste rock characterization, and heap closure/reclamation. His extensive research and metallurgical testing experience includes participation in the development of heap leach cyanidation of low-grade gold/silver ores, carbon-in-column adsorption of gold and silver from pregnant leach solution, carbon desorption technology, electrowinning of precious metal values, development of agglomeration heap leaching technology for low-grade gold/silver ores and tailings and development of pulp agglomeration – heap leach cyanidation technology. He was instrumental in developing the standardized MWMP testing procedures for the State of Nevada, which became the ASTM E 2242 standard. His credentials include a wide background in environmental materials characterization testing and analyses.
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Gene started his career in mining as a laboratory technician at the US Bureau of Mines, Reno Research Center while completing his bachelor’s degree in chemistry at the Mackay School of Mines (Nevada). After spending four years serving as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army, Gene returned to work at the USBM, while completing a master’s degree in metallurgical engineering at Mackay. After finishing school, Gene rapidly advanced to the Group Supervisor level at the USBM. Gene left the USBM to manage a metallurgical testing laboratory for Bateman Engineering. In December 1986, Gene left Bateman and started McClelland Laboratories.
Gene is a distinguished member of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME), former Executive Officer of the Mining and Metallurgy Society of America (MMSA), and Councilor for MMSA National, holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Nevada, Reno and a master’s degree in metallurgical engineering from Mackay School of Mines, UNR. He has held several directorships in the academic community including Chairman and Board Member of the Mackay School of Earth Sciences & Engineering Executive Advisory Board (UNR). He was honored as Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, by the UNR Alumni Association – College of Science, and has held offices in other community-wide events, including the Reno Rodeo Association Board of Directors, Washoe County community services, and charity events. Most recently, he received the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Mackay School of Earth Sciences & Engineering (UNR).