Sherritt Hydrometallurgy Award
The Sherritt Hydrometallurgy Award was established in 1976 by Sherritt Gordon Mines Limited (now Sherritt International Corporation), to recognize MetSoc members who have made a significant contribution in the field of hydrometallurgy through research, plant design and operations and education or CIM affairs. The award consists of dual, engraved medals and a cash prize. The award is presented by a representative of Sherritt International Corporation at the Annual Hydrometallurgy Section Meeting.
THE CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR IS OPEN for 2025. The deadline is February 20, 2025.
2024 Recipient
Ahmad Ghahreman
Cyclic Materials
Citation: In recognition of unique contributions to the advancement of Hydrometallurgy in education, science and entrepreneurship.
Dr. Ahmad Ghahreman is a serial entrepreneur with more than 17 years of experience in developing clean technologies for processing and recycling resources. Ahmad is currently the CEO, President, and co-founder of Cyclic Materials, a cleantech company creating a circular supply chain for rare earth elements and other materials critical to the energy transition. Prior to founding Cyclic Materials, Dr. Ghahreman co-invented Jetti Resources Inc. copper extraction technology (currently valued at $2.5B USD) and was a Sr. Technical Advisor and Advisory Board member of Li-Cycle Corp (NYSE: LICY), a sustainable lithium-ion battery recycling company, from its early days to July 2022.
Dr. Ghahreman began his career, after completing his PhD at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, as a Research & Development metallurgist at the Barrick Technology Centre, Barrick Gold Corp. From 2014 to 2021, Dr. Ghahreman built one of the largest and most well-funded Hydrometallurgy research teams outside of China within the Mining Department at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. With over 20 patents, 150 peer-reviewed technical and academic publications, and over 50 students graduated during his time at Queen’s, Dr. Ghahreman considers his role as Technical Chair of Copper 2019, the largest global copper conference, to be a highlight among his contributions to the mining and metals community.
Ahmad is a professional engineer (PEng) registered in Ontario, Canada.
2023 – Edouard Asselin 2022 – N. Verbaan | 2007 – J. F. Turgeon | 1991 – B.R. Conard |
2021 – No Award | 2006 – P. Kondos | 1990 – P. Claessens |
2020 – M. Dry | 2005 – M. Collins | 1989 – R.C. Kerby |
2019 – No Award | 2004 – V.G. Papangelakis | 1988 – V.I. Lakshmanan |
2018 – T. T. Chen | 2003 – K.S. Fraser | 1987 – P. Garritsen |
2017 – J.R. Goode | 2002 – I. Mihaylov | 1986 – R. Berezowsky |
2016 – L. Centomo | 2001 – C.J. Ferron | 1985 – D.R. Weir |
2015 – E. Lam | 2000 – G. Demopoulos | 1984 – J.E. Dutrizac |
2014 – E. Peek | 1999 – G. Houlachi | 1983 – V.A. Ettel |
2013 – Y. Choi | 1998 – D.W. Ashman | 1982 – G.M. Swinkels |
2012 – Eberhard Krause | 1997 – C.A. Fleming | 1981 – R.W. Stanley |
2011 – Michael E. Chalkley | 1995 – B. Harris1996 – B. Krysa | 1980 – D.A. Huggins |
2010 – David G. Dixon | 1994 – D. Dreisinger | 1979 – G. Van Weert |
2009 – Derek Kerfoot | 1993 – L.I. Rosato | 1978 – A.W. Ashbrook |
2008 – No Award | 1992 – I.M. Masters | 1977 – G.M. Ritcey |
Criteria
Candidates must be CIM members who are either Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or individuals residing in Canada who made significant contributions to the advancement of Hydrometallurgy. Exceptions to this membership requirement may be made in the case where a candidate has a substantial historical record of contributions to MetSoc.
The Awards Committee of the Hydrometallurgy Section administers the award.
The award nomination program is closed for 2025.
- Nominations for the award shall be accompanied by not fewer than five (5) members endorsements of CIM.
- A testimonial statement giving clearly the reasons that make the nominee a suitable candidate shall accompany each nomination.
- A citation of 30 words or less
- Other supporting data (e.g. curriculum vitae) can be included if desired.
If the CV does not contain all items, the nominator should fill in the information in the Contributions text box in the online form (this will be available in the software system when the Call opens).
General Policies
- A nominator can put forward only one candidate up for nomination in each award category.
- No member of the MetSoc Executive Board shall be nominated while in office. The nomination will be held until the term on the executive board is expired.
- The nominators are responsible for verifying that all conditions of the award have been satisfied and all procedures were properly followed in making the nomination.
- The award shall be made from time to time as circumstances warrant in recognition of significant contributions to the advancement of Hydrometallurgy through research, plant design and operations, education or CIM affairs.
- Nominees shall remain in nomination for three years, and at the end of that period shall be eligible for renomination in the manner specified above.
- The adjudication of the award shall be made by the Awards Committee of the Hydrometallurgy Section of the Metallurgy and Materials Society of CIM. The Committee shall consist of (a) an Awards Chair, appointed from within the Hydrometallurgy Section, who is either a previous Sherritt Hydrometallurgy Award winner or otherwise ineligible to receive the award, and (b) the five immediately previous Sherritt Hydrometallurgy Award winners. If the Awards Chair is one of these, the sixth most recent award winner will join the Committee.
- Self-nominations are not permitted.
- No more than one award may be made in any one year.
- At the completion of the Awards Committee adjudication, the Awards Chair shall notify the Hydrometallurgy Section Chair of the Committee’s selection. The Hydrometallurgy Section Chair should, in turn, forward the dossier on the recipient to MetSoc’s Awards Committee Chair for approval by this Committee and subsequent ratification by the MetSoc Board of Directors.
- The award, including the testimonial, should be presented at the Annual Hydrometallurgy Section Meeting. The Section may invite the recipient to deliver a special lecture during the Section Meeting.
