MetSoc Silver Medal Award
The Silver Medal, which was initiated in 1986, is awarded to individuals who have built, sustained and developed the Metallurgy and Materials Society of CIM into the present strong, internationally renowned organization.
2025 Recipient
Christopher Pickles
Citation: In recognition of his contribution to the growth of the Metallurgy and Materials Society of CIM.
Chris Pickles did his B.A.Sc., M.A.Sc., and Ph.D. degrees in the Department of Metallurgy and Materials Science at the University of Toronto. He did post-doc research for five years and obtained a Faculty position at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario in 1982 in the Department of Metallurgy. He has been the chair of many MetSoc committees and has helped organize many MetSoc symposia. He has worked on plasma processing, recovery of precious metals, battery residue treatment, electric arc furnace dust processing, waste processing and nickeliferous laterite processing. He was an ISS-AIME Iron and Steel Professor from 1992 to 1995 and was awarded a CIM Fellowship in 2002. He won the Teck Resources Environmental Award in 2010. His major research objectives are to improve energy efficiencies and to minimize waste generation in extractive metallurgy processes. One of his major research interests at the present time is the application of microwaves in mineral processing and pyrometallurgy. In particular, he is investigating the use of microwaves for reduced ore competency prior to crushing and grinding and improved metal recovery in subsequent downstream processes such as flotation and leaching. He is currently an adjunct emeritus professor in the Department of Mining at Queen’s University.
| 2024 – Elvi Dalgaard | 2023 – Roderick Guthrie | 2022 – M. Isac |
| 2021 – M. Collins | 2020 – M. Wells | 2019 – B. Davis |
| 2018 – P. Wanjara | 2017 – D. Boyd | 2016 – D. Wilkinson |
| 2015 – M. Sahoo | 2014 – G. Richards | 2013 – N. Stubina |
| 2012 – A. Allaire | 2011 – J. Kapusta | 2010 – M. King |
| 2009 – G.P. Demopoulos | 2008 – S. Marcuson | 2007 – H. W. King |
| 2006 – P.J. Mackey | 2005 – J. Finch | 2004 – H. Henein |
| 2003 – C. Twigge-Molecey | 2002 – A. Vahed | 2001 – J.M. Walsh |
| 2000 – C. Dìaz | 1999 – F. Habashi | 1998 – G.L. Bolton |
| 1997 – E. Ozberk | 1996 – B.R. Conard | 1995 – A. Plumpton |
| 1994 – G.M. Ritcey | 1993 – L. Seeley | 1992 – P. Tarassoff |
| 1991 – W. Williams | 1990 – W.T. Thompson | 1989 – J.E. Dutrizac |
| 1988 – M. Rigaud | 1987 – N.G. Thomas | 1986 – J.M. Toguri |
Criteria
The Silver Medal is to recognize individuals who have contributed effectively over a long period, to the growth of MetSoc. The nomination(s) for, and award of, the Silver Medal is the responsibility of the Past President and is not open to general nominations from the membership at large. Balloting is by all Past Presidents.
There is no cash prize for this award.
The award nomination program is closed for 2023.