Sustainability
The Sustainability Section provides a forum for the exchange of knowledge and skills in technical and environmental areas between professionals in the metallurgical and materials industry. The Section’s activities reflect the current needs of the industry. Our mandate is to provide leadership in knowledge sharing and professional development for a broad range of environmental fields, and in the development of environmental practices and standards.
Announcements
COM 2023: Integration for Better Outcomes Symposium August 21-24, Toronto Ontario
Bringing together the community to discuss mining, mineral processing, metallurgy, and materials with a common interest in sustainability.
Current Initiatives

CrossTalk webinar series developed by the emerging professionals of the light metals section. Learn more by visiting our conferences and events section.
Awards & Scholarships
Our committee has created several awards for both professionals and students.
MetSoc Sustainability Scholarship

About
Hydrometallurgy is part of the wider field of extractive metallurgy where the science and technologies of aqueous solution chemistry are applied in an environmentally sound and cost effective ways for the recovery of metals from a wide variety of metal-bearing sources, such as ores, concentrates, intermediates and recycled materials, into useable products for the society.
Hydrometallurgy technologies form an integral part of a growing number of metallurgical processes, both in operation and in development. Canada is richly endowed with mineral resources and is a world leader in hydrometallurgical production plants, technology development and education.
The Hydrometallurgy Section serves the hydrometallurgy community in Canada and abroad by:
- Organizing timely and relevant technical conferences and short courses which provide a great forum for learning, exchange of ideas and networking opportunities
- Recognizing outstanding achievements in the field of hydrometallurgy
- Providing encouragement and support for students involved in hydrometallurgical studies and research
- Making select technical publications available on this web site.
The Section operates through a committee comprised of representatives from major mining companies in Canada, academic and research institutions, as well as technology vendors and engineering companies that have a strong presence in the field of hydrometallurgy.


Chair
Brittany MacKinnon
Hatch
Brittany (Britt) MacKinnon joined Hatch in June 2019 after completing her Applied Sciences degree in Chemical Engineering and Certificate in Business at Queen’s University. Since joining Hatch, Britt has worked with the Pyrometallurgy sector practice on a Greenfield Pig Iron Feasibility Study, with the Hydrometallurgy sector practice on a Battery Recycling Project, with the Advisory practice on a Catastrophic Risk Assurance Project, and most recently with the Pyrometallurgy sector practice on an Integrated Steelworks Expansion FEL2. Britt is passionate about continuous learning and understanding the dynamic Canadian metallurgy sector. Britt enjoys collaborating with others to find innovative solutions to challenges, especially about how to create a more sustainable metallurgical industry.
Members of the Sustainability Committee
- Chris Pickles, Past-chair, COM 2023 symposium co-chair, Queen's University
- Noelene Ahearn, Past Past Chair, SGS
- Roki Fukuzawa, Past Past Past Chair, COM 2023 conference chair, Hatch
- Laurie Reemeyer, Environment Adviser, Resourceful Paths Consulting
- Rachel Ko, MetSoc Emerging Professional, Hatch
- May Ang, MetSoc Emerging Professional, Sphera Solutions
- Daniela Rossetto, MetSoc Emerging Professional, Eddyfi Technologies
- Janice Zinck
- Margarete Kalin
- Gillian Holcroft
- Lorena Tere
- Ahmad Ghahreman
- Bill Tubbs
- Sameet Dalvi
- Ashok Dalvi
- Logan Zimmerman
- R Vasant Kumar
- Rachel Santini
- Maéva Chrzaszcz
- Vicken Aprahamian
- Lori Manoukian
- Julie Zhang
- Rob Stephens
- Laureen Meroueh
- Max Shen
- Alex Cao
- Will Dixon
- Kamal Adham
- Takshi Sachdeva
- Thomas Boundy
- Alessandro Navarra
- Nicola Wei
- Bailee Johnson
- Eian Tureoglu
- Michelle Zhou
- Marc Duchesne
- Kara Serenius
- Sarah-Lee Fortin
- Nehid Molaei