Dr. Hugh B. Miller

Associate Professor

Mining Engineering Department, Colorado School of Mines

2018 Medal of Merit Recipient

Dr. Hugh B. Miller is an Associate Professor in the Mining Engineering Department at the Colorado School of Mines (CSM), where he teaches courses and conducts research in a variety of subjects including mine design & operations, project feasibility, occupational safety, and hydro-excavation.  While at CSM, Hugh has also served as the Interim Department Chair for Mining Engineering, as a representative on the Faculty Senate, an administrator for the Western Mine Safety Training Center, and on countless internal committees associated with student activities, institutional governance, and departmental operations.

Before joining CSM in 2005, Hugh spent 6 years teaching at the University of Arizona, Mining & Geological Engineering Department and was the Director of the San Xavier Mining Laboratory and Co-Director of the International Center for Mine Health, Safety, and Environment. 

Prior to entering academia, Hugh worked 13 years for several mining, resource, and engineering companies in capacities ranging from mine operations to that of management, including four years as Director of Operations for International Engineering Technology, Inc. (IET).  At IET, Hugh oversaw a wide range of projects related to equipment development and technologies associated with underground mining, civil-construction, and drilling systems.  Through his career, he has served on the Boards of numerous companies and professional organizations and regularly consults in the technical and economic evaluation of mines and mineral resources, as well as the integration of new technologies and equipment in mining and excavation. Hugh currently serves as a technical advisor for RAMAX Ltd. and as a Director for the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, & Exploration (SME). Hugh is extremely active in several professional and civic organizations, and will serve as the 2019 President of SME.      

As voted by graduating students, Hugh has received a combined 15 teaching and mentoring awards while working at two different universities over the 17 years he has been academia.  He received the SME Presidential Citation in 2015 and the SME Mining & Exploration Division Distinguished Service Award in 2011.  Hugh was inducted as a SME Distinguished Member in 2012 and received the AIME/SME Mineral Industry Education Award and the AIME Honorary Member Award in 2017.   

Hugh received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the Colorado School of Mines and is a registered “Qualified Person” for Mining and Mineral Resource Estimation by MMSA.

Miller and his wife, Nadia, a petroleum engineer, have been married for 31 years and live in Golden, CO.  They have two sons, Matt and Jerry, who are both mining engineers and work for Southwest Energy and Intrepid Potash respectively.

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