Pat Risner is a mining executive with over 30 years of industry experience. He has held executive, global roles in operations, project development, health, safety and environment in Australia and the United States. He has an extensive background in developing and implementing project strategies delivering results in complex, highly regulated global environments.

Pat became President of South32 Hermosa in 2019. Located near Patagonia, Arizona, Hermosa is an advanced mine development project in the United States that could produce five federally designated critical minerals—zinc, manganese, copper, silver and lead —all of which are essential minerals for powering the nation’s energy future. As a greenfield project, South32 aims to set a new standard in sustainable mining at Hermosa through its intentional design and development. The project is fully permitted and in construction with first production expected in early 2028.

Pat represents South32 on the joint venture board for the Ambler Metals project in Alaska and serves on the advisory boards for the University of Arizona’s School of Mining Engineering & Mineral Resources and Geosciences Department, as well as the board of the Nogales Santa Cruz County Port Authority.