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:

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.

The Hydrometallurgy Section of MetSoc has the same basic mandate as Metsoc with a specific focus on people involved in hydrometallurgical processes and technologies.

The Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) is the leading technical society for professionals in the Canadian minerals and materials industry since 1898. CIM's 12,000 members worldwide are concerned with the discovery, production, utilization and economics of minerals (including petroleum) and materials (including metals).

The Metallurgy and Materials Society (MetSoc) of the CIM was formed in 1967 under the umbrella of CIM to serve the needs of all Canadian Metallurgists working to transform ores to metals and other useful commercial products. MetSoc exists to maintain excellence in the industry by providing an open forum for exchanging and spreading knowledge among engineers, scientists and technical personnel and students. It also acts as a catalyst in enhancing the growth of its members who are engaged in all phases of minerals, metals and materials industry.

The Hydrometallurgy Section of MetSoc has the same basic mandate as Metsoc with a specific focus on the people involved with hydrometallurgical processes and technologies.