Hydrometallurgy John E. Dutrizac and Fathi Habashi Undergraduate Scholarships

Hydrometallurgy John E. Dutrizac, Fathi Habashi and Henry Salomon de Friedberg Undergraduate Scholarships

2025 Recipients

JOHN E. DUTRIZAC UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP

Sam Pysklywec

Queen's University

Born in Hamilton, Sam just finished his third year of mining engineering at Queen’s University. He was drawn to the industry through his great grandfather who was a miner in Kirkland Lake and his desire to create a more sustainable world. Currently, he is on a 12-month FIFO professional internship with Agnico Eagle at the Detour Lake Mine northeast of Cochrane Ontario. There he is learning the fundamentals of extracting and processing ore through both in field and office experiences. In the future he hopes to continue to learn ways to responsibly extract critical minerals necessary for the global energy transition. On his time off Sam enjoys going on canoe trips and staying active through a summer hockey league, golf and going to the gym.

FATHI HABASHI UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP

Jessica Rudd

Laurentian University

Jessica Rudd is a 2025 graduate from the chemical engineering program at Laurentian University. Growing up in Sudbury, Ontario, she gained a strong appreciation for the mining and metallurgical industry at an early age. This passion translated into a degree in chemical engineering, where she had the opportunity to learn more about the subject through several courses on mineral processing and metallurgy. Jessica stayed actively involved in school clubs and events throughout her undergraduate years – including leadership roles (such as President and Vice President) for the Laurentian University Chemical Engineering Chapter and the Laurentian University CIM MetSoc Student Chapter. She also completed a sixteen-month co-op at Vale’s Port Colborne Refinery with their Process Technology team. During her placement, she worked on many projects involving the hydrometallurgical processing of precious metals and cobalt. Currently, Jessica is enrolled as a M.A.Sc. student at Laurentian University, with the goal of completing a PhD in engineering science.

HENRY SALOMON DE FRIEDBERG UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP

Warren Wourms

University of Saskatchewan

My name is Warren Wourms; I have just completed my third year of Chemical Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan. I was raised on a family farm in a small town in rural Saskatchewan, where many local farms supported their income at the nearby Mosaic potash mines in Esterhazy. This environment motivated me to study mining and hydrometallurgy and pursue a career in this field.

Last summer I gained valuable work experience as an intern at a nearby canola oil crush plant and refinery. To prepare myself for a future in mining, I have taken mineral processing electives at university. These electives helped me secure a 16-month internship with Cameco, where I am excited to gain real-world knowledge in mining. To keep me out of trouble, I stay busy in university by being heavily involved with the quarter-scale tractor engineering design team.

2024 – Brianna Hillier, Memorial University (John E. Dutrizac Undergraduate Scholarship)2024 – Orissa Ghai, Queen’s University (Fathi Habashi Undergraduate Scholarship)
2024 – Vincent Verbaan, Queen’s University (Henry Salomon De Friedberg Undergraduate Scholarship)2023 – Dutrizac Scholarship: William Slaney, Memorial University
2023 – Habashi Scholarship: Jilai Zhang, University of Toronto2022 – Dutrizac Scholarship: Julia Twinney, Queen’s University
2022 – Habashi Scholarship: Audrey Scanlan, Carleton University2021 – Dutrizac Scholarship: Brendan Hubert, Queen’s University
2021 – Habashi Scholarship: Andre Santoso, University of Montreal2020 – Dutrizac Scholarship: Andrew Borschnek, Queen’s University
2020 – Habashi Scholarship: Ahmed Kabil, University of Toronto2019 – Jungwoon Lee, Queen’s University
2019 – Adrian Singer, McGill University2018 – Carter Senis, Queen’s University
2018 – William Dixon, McGill University2017 – Chenbo Xu, University of Toronto
2017 – William Courchesne, McGill University2016 – James Cruikshanks, Queen’s University
2015 – Justin Riggio, McGill University2014 – Cooper Meadows, University of Saskatchewan
2014 – Cameron Hill, McGill University2013 – Jonathan Leung, University of Toronto
2013 – Raphael Soldi-Giribaldi, University of Toronto2012 – Corinne Nicole Smith, Memorial University
2012 – David Clive Elliott, Memorial University2011 – Sara Fitzel, University of Alberta
2011 – Jordan Zampini, McGill University 

Purpose of the Scholarship

To encourage undergraduate students at Canadian universities to enter the engineering field and science discipline of hydrometallurgy, the Hydrometallurgy Section offers three scholarships:

JOHN E. DUTRIZAC SCHOLARSHIP

John E. Dutrizac (1940-2019) received a B.A.Sc. and a Ph.D. in metallurgical engineering from the University of Toronto. In 1968, he became a Research Scientist at CANMET, where he studied a variety of hydrometallurgical processes over the next nearly fifty years. His work involved the integration of chemical metallurgy with applied mineralogy to improve our understanding of various processes, especially those related to the recovery of zinc and copper, and the characterization of iron residues. Dr. Dutrizac produced over 250 publications in these and related fields. He also edited numerous conference proceedings volumes, including those of the Iron Control in Hydrometallurgy Symposia series. John Dutrizac served as Chairman of the Hydrometallurgy Section and President of the Metallurgical Society of CIM. He received many national and international awards and was a Fellow of the Chemical Institute of Canada and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum. He was a giant of hydrometallurgy in Canada and internationally, and his legacy continues to greatly benefit those of us in the metallurgical field.

FATHI HABASHI SCHOLARSHIP

Professor Emeritus of Extractive Metallurgy at Laval University in Quebec City, Fathi Habashi was born in Al-Minia, Egypt on October 9, 1928. He holds a B.Sc. degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cairo (1949), a Dr. techn. degree in Inorganic Chemical Technology from the University of Technology in Vienna, and honorary degrees from the Technical University of Oruro in Bolivia and the Saint Petersburg Mining Institute in Russia. Dr. Habashi taught at the Montana School of Mines and worked at the Extractive Metallurgical Research Department of Anaconda Company in Tucson, Arizona before joining Laval in 1970. He has also been guest professor or guest lecturer at a number of other universities or institutions, and consultant to the United Nations Development Program for the Cuban Laterite Project. He has authored numerous textbooks on metallurgy and the history of metallurgy, including Principles of Extractive Metallurgy in 4 volumes, and edited Handbook of Extractive Metallurgy in 4 volumes. In 1998 Professor Habashi was named a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum and in 1999 he received its silver medal. He is an Honorary Professor at the Technical University of Oruro in Bolivia, Honorary Citizen of the city of Oruro, Governor at the Fondation de l’Université Laval, and Member of Le Cercle des Ambassadeurs in Québec City.

HENRY SALOMON DE FRIEDBERG SCHOLARSHIP 

Henry worked in the field of extractive metallurgy for 40 years in both areas of pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy.  After receiving a Metallurgy Master’s Degree at McGill University, Henry joined the Noranda Technology Centre in 1977 and then joined Teck in 1979. 

Henry began his journey with Teck as an Engineer in Training at Teck’s Trail Operations. During his time in Trail Henry assisted in the start-up of various plants, including Zinc Pressure Leach, the Copper Products Plant, and the KIVCET lead furnace which was essential to the long-term success of the operation. Starting in 1996 Henry took a position at Quebrada Blanca in Chile where he was involved in the successful commissioning of the first large-scale secondary sulphide heap leach operation. After 5-years he moved back to Trail for several years before joining CESL in Richmond in 2007 where he worked until his retirement in 2016.  

Henry was passionate about his work and metallurgy. This passion helped him foster innovation in the workplace, increase fundamental understanding and support the development of metallurgists through his ties to UBC.  He was a mentor to many. Henry’s expertise and love of learning supported numerous staff and other Teck projects during his career.  Henry’s expertise supported numerous projects during his career, and his passion for development of metallurgists left an impactful legacy. 

Scholarship Terms

In 2020, in memory of John Dutrizac and to encourage undergraduate students at Canadian universities to enter the discipline of hydrometallurgy, the Hydrometallurgy Section has instituted the John E. Dutrizac Scholarship of $2,500 annually. 

In 2020, in recognition of Fathi Habashi and to encourage undergraduate students at Canadian universities to enter the discipline of hydrometallurgy, the Hydrometallurgy Section has instituted the Fathi Habashi Scholarship of $2,500 annually.

In 2024, in recognition of Henry Salomon de Friedberg and to encourage undergraduate students at Canadian universities who are passionate about metallurgy, are analytical, and intend to work in the field of mining or metallurgy, to enter the discipline of hydrometallurgy, the Hydrometallurgy Section has instituted the Henry Salomon de Friedberg Scholarship of $2,500 annually.

In addition to the cash award mentioned for each award or scholarship, we award one free registration for the conference at which we present the award or scholarship, plus free admission to the social events we sponsor at that conference.

Hydrometallurgy John E. Dutrizac and Fathi Habashi Undergraduate Scholarships

Eligibility

Scholarship Criteria Applicants must be a full-time students at a Canadian University in their 2nd, 3rd or 4th (final) year of a program at the undergraduate level and intend to work or carry out research in a field of science and engineering with relevance to hydrometallurgy. CIM student membership is not required but CIM members may be given preference over non-members. Preference will be given to Canadian Citizens or Permanent Resident students; however, International students attending a recognized Canadian educational institution are welcome to apply. Awarding of these scholarship will be based upon applicants’ academic achievements and motivation in the field of science and engineering with relevance to hydrometallurgy. Consideration will be given to the applicant’s past work experiences and extracurricular activities.

No formal application forms are given. The applicant is requested to submit a written application in English or French, including the following documentation to the CIM MetSoc Hydrometallurgy Section Scholarship Committee:

  1. Student Statement Letter – Prepare a maximum 200-word statement explaining: Applicant’s career objectives in hydrometallurgy Applicant’s educational objectives How this scholarship would help the applicant attain the above objectives Why the applicant wants to work in the field of hydrometallurgy and how he/she will maintain involvement with the hydrometallurgical industry or research community. The Committee reserves the right to contact the reference persons provided by the scholarship applicants.
  2. Student Resume – Indicate internships, work and/or co-op experience, academic courses and projects related to the applicant’s intended area of study in college or university. Extracurricular activities should be highlighted as an important aspect of the application.
  3. Official Transcript – Request and submit one original transcript to date from the applicant’s school(s).
  4. Name, title and contact information for 2 reference persons – The referees could be faculties, employers, teachers, coaches, etc. At least one referee should be familiar with the applicant’s academic performance. The Committee reserves the right to contact the reference persons provided by the scholarship applicants.
  5. Applicants of the Lucy Rosato Scholarships are automatically enrolled in the Hydrometallurgical Undergraduate Scholarships.

Submit your application

Email your application package to Georgios Kolliopoulos and Ramanpal Saini, Chairs of Student Support at: Georgios.Kolliopoulos@gmn.ulaval.ca and ramanpal.saini@vale.com

The application deadline is February 10, 2026

 

The scholarship application program is closed for 2024.