Eriez® President and CEO Jaisen Kohmuench is delighted to announce that the company has been selected to receive the 2024 Robert E. Murray Innovation Award from the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME). This prestigious accolade recognises individuals and organisations that drive the mining industry forward through groundbreaking technological advancements. Eriez will be formally honoured at the SME Annual Conference & Expo, taking place from 23–26 February 2025 in Denver, Colorado, United States.

Recognising Innovation in Flotation Technology

The SME citation acknowledges Eriez “for its development of cutting-edge technology that addresses century-old challenges in flotation, enabling the mining industry to align best practices in separation science with modern-day sustainability requirements.”

As well as receiving the award, Eriez will be featured during the closing segment of SME’s keynote session on 24 February. Kohmuench, alongside Executive Vice President of Global Technology Mike Mankosa, will deliver a presentation showcasing Eriez' state-of-the-art flotation technologies, discussing flotation challenges, and highlighting how industry collaboration is essential in the successful development and implementation of new technologies.

Leadership Driving Innovation

Jaisen Kohmuench, a 25-year veteran of Eriez, was appointed President and CEO in January 2024. His visionary leadership has played a crucial role in expanding Eriez’ global footprint, increasing its market share across multiple sectors, and reinforcing its position as an industry leader in mining innovation. He holds a doctoral degree in Mining and Minerals Engineering from Virginia Tech.

Mike Mankosa has been instrumental in Eriez’ success for 30 years. He has pioneered some of the company’s most transformative technologies, including the HydroFloat® and StackCell® separators, which have revolutionised coarse and fine particle concentration processes. Mankosa also holds a doctoral degree in Mining and Minerals Engineering from Virginia Tech.

Both Kohmuench and Mankosa are prolific inventors, each holding an extensive portfolio of process and equipment patents. Collectively and individually, they have authored hundreds of technical papers and earned numerous industry accolades for their pioneering contributions to mineral beneficiation.

Commitment to Sustainability and Efficiency

The 2024 Robert E. Murray Innovation Award is a testament to Eriez’ dedication to addressing the mining industry’s evolving challenges through ongoing research and development. Eriez continues to promote a more sustainable future with its pioneering work in enhancing mineral separation techniques, which maximise recovery efficiency while reducing energy and water consumption.

This recognition underscores Eriez’ leadership in developing advanced solutions that not only improve mining operations but also contribute to environmental sustainability and resource efficiency.