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 2026: Sustainability: Transforming Processes and Project Delivery
Participate in the 64th Annual Conference of Metallurgy and Materials taking place on August 17 – 20, 2026, in Calgary, Alberta.
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 2024 symposium co-chair, Queen's University
- Noelene Ahern, Past Past Chair, SGS
- Roki Fukuzawa, Past Past Past Chair, COM 2023 conference chair, Hatch
- Laurie Reemeyer, Environment Adviser, Resourceful Paths Consulting
- Charlotte Gibson, Contact with Mineral Processing, COM 2024 symposium co-chair, Queen’s University
- Janice Zinck
- Margarete Kalin
- Gillian Holcroft
- Ahmad Ghahreman
- Sameet Dalvi
- Ashok Dalvi
- Maéva Chrzaszcz, MetSoc Emerging Professional, Hatch
- Aya Benotmane, MetSoc Emerging Professional, Hatch
- Ashok Srinivasan, MetSoc Emerging Professional, Metso Outotec Canada Inc.
- Daniela Rossetto, MetSoc Emerging Professional, Geomega
- May Ang, MetSoc Emerging Professional, Sphera Solutions
- Rachel Ko, MetSoc Emerging Professional, Hatch
- Rob Stephens
- Kamal Adham
- Marc Duchesne
- Kara Serenius
- Melina Roshanfar