GORDON M. RITCEY Ph.D. AWARD

Gordon Ritcey (1930-2021) graduated from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1952. Dr. Ritcey has worked with the Radioactivity Division of Department of Mines & Technical Surveys in Ottawa. Afterwards he joined Eldorado Mining & Refining at Port Radium in the North West Territories as Chief Chemist until 1957. During the next ten years from 1957-1967, Dr. Ritcey was Head of Chemical Research at the Eldorado R&D Division in Ottawa. Dr. Ritcey spent the next 21 years at CANMET in Ottawa as Senior Research Scientist and Head of Hydrometallurgy, where numerous separation processes were developed. He then "retired" to become an independent consultant, a role in which he remained active until his mid-eighties.

Dr. Ritcey has published over 150 papers, in addition to a two-volume text on solvent extraction; and an authoritative text on tailings management. Seventeen patents have been granted. Dr. Ritcey has been a technical session chairman of numerous national and international conferences as well as conference chairman of several national conferences . He was President of the Metallurgical Society of CIM (1976-77), and during the period 1986-96 he served as Secretary-General of the International Committee for Solvent Extraction. He was the founding editor of the international journal of Hydrometallurgy (1975), and remained as editor for 19 years.

Dr. Ritcey has received numerous honours, including being the first recipient of the Sherritt Gordon Hydrometallurgy Medal; the Alcan Medal; CIM Silver Medal, the University of Liege (Belgium) Medal; the Mendeleev Medal (Russia) and the Carl Hanson Medal (ISEC).

To encourage graduate studies in the field of hydrometallurgy, the Hydrometallurgy Section offers an award of $5,000 to honour the accomplishments of a Ph.D. graduate student in the field of hydrometallurgy in a Canadian university. To be eligible the candidate should be registered in a Ph.D. program in the field of hydrometallurgy during the entire 2019/2020 academic year in a Canadian university.

Applications must include:
1) A copy of the applicant’s academic transcripts
2) A summary of the project, including preliminary results, a discussion concerning subsequent project orientation, and a list of prepared publications or conference presentations (2-3 pages maximum)

Past recipients:

2022 – Maryam Pourmahdavi, Laurentian University
2021 — Konstantina Chalastara, McGill University
2020 — Kevin Turgeon, Laval University
2019 — Yan Zeng, McGill University
2018 — Denver Cowan (Queen's University)
2017 — Ajanthia Gunaratnam (UBC)
2016 — A. D. Bas, Laval University
2015 — A. Burns, University of British Columbia
2014 — R. Tavakoli, University of British Columbia
2013 — No award
2012 — T. Feldmann, McGill University
2011 — G. Nazari, University of British Columbia
2010 — I. Perederiy, University of Toronto
2009 — G. Azimi, University of Toronto
2008 — F. Xie, University of British Columbia
2007 — B. Rivera-Vasquez, University of British Columbia
2006 — J. Vaughan, University of British Columbia
2005 — L. Munholand, Sherbrooke University
2004 — F. Lagno, McGill University

ERNEST PETERS MASTER’S AWARD

Ernest (Ernie) Peters (1926-2009) received his B.A.Sc. in Metallurgical Engineering in 1949. Upon graduation, he took a job in a steel mill in Utah, but in fall 1950, he returned to UBC to do an M.A.Sc. thesis on “The Leaching of Uranium from Pitchblende Ores.” He then took employment with the Consolidated Mining and Smelting Co. Ltd. (now Cominco Ltd.) in Trail, BC as a Research Engineer. He again returned to UBC in 1953, with a Cominco Fellowship and finished a Ph.D. thesis in 1956, on “The Homogeneous Activation of Molecular Hydrogen by Cupric Species in Aqueous Solutions.” Following his Ph.D., he worked with Union Carbide Co. in Niagara Falls, Ontario, until 1958, when he was appointed Assistant Professor in the Department of Mining and Metallurgy at UBC. Thereafter, he dedicated his research to hydrometallurgy with Professor Frank Forward as mentor.

His legacy remains huge in the hydrometallurgy community in Canada and abroad.

To encourage graduate studies in the field of hydrometallurgy, the Hydrometallurgy Section offers one (1) award of $3,000 to honour the accomplishments of a Master’s graduate student in the field of hydrometallurgy in a Canadian university. To be eligible the candidate should be registered in a Master’s (M.Sc., M.Eng., M.A.Sc.) program in the field of hydrometallurgy during the entire academic year in a Canadian university.

Applications must include:
1) A copy of the applicant’s academic transcripts 2) A summary of the project, including preliminary results, a discussion concerning subsequent project orientation, and a list of prepared publications or conference presentations (2-3 pages maximum)

Past recipients:

2022 – Joon Kyung Koong, McGill University
2021 – Noel Devaere, University of Toronto
2020 — Guillermo Alvial-Hein, Queen’s University
2019 — Hiroki Fukuda, University of British Columbia
2018 — Chengqian (Charles) Wu (Queen's University)
2017 — Eric Shum (University of Toronto)

TRAVEL FUNDING ASSISTANCE - CONFERENCE SUPPORT

COM 2023 – August 21-24, 2022, Toronto, Canada

Derek Kerfoot Memorial Pressure Hydrometallurgy Symposium
Symposia – COM 2023 | August 21-24, 2023 (metsoc.org)

The Hydrometallurgy Section normally provides support for graduate students in the field of Hydrometallurgy wishing to travel to attend in-person conferences we support. In the case of virtual conferences held while Covid-19 restrictions apply, we do not offer this support because virtual conferenced do not entail travel. However, we still encourage students to participate via papers and/or poster presentations.

The funding is calculated according to the following formula:

1) $500 for each student presenting a poster
2) $1000 for each student presenting a paper, or a paper and a poster
3) $200 discount on the fee to attend a short course on Hydrometallurgy
If the requests exceed the total funds budgeted, the determination of eligibility will be decided by the fund administrator.

In the case of a poster or a paper, the application should include:

A summary of the student’s research project
A letter of support from his/her thesis supervisor
In the case of attending a short course, the discount is applied as part of the registration process.

To be eligible, students should be registered in a Canadian university at the time of the conference, in a Masters or PhD program related to the field of Hydrometallurgy. Students from the conference host city do not qualify for travel support.    

By accepting conference support, the recipients also agree to have their names published on this web site, as recipients of this travel support.

HYDROMETALLURGY UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP

To encourage undergraduate students at Canadian universities to enter the engineering field and science discipline of hydrometallurgy, the Hydrometallurgy Section offers three scholarships:

JOHN E. DUTRIZAC SCHOLARSHIP

John E. Dutrizac (1940-2019) received a B.A.Sc. and a Ph.D. in metallurgical engineering from the University of Toronto. In 1968, he became a Research Scientist at CANMET, where he studied a variety of hydrometallurgical processes over the next nearly fifty years. His work involved the integration of chemical metallurgy with applied mineralogy to improve our understanding of various processes, especially those related to the recovery of zinc and copper, and the characterization of iron residues. Dr. Dutrizac produced over 250 publications in these and related fields. He also edited numerous conference proceedings volumes, including those of the Iron Control in Hydrometallurgy Symposia series. John Dutrizac served as Chairman of the Hydrometallurgy Section and President of the Metallurgical Society of CIM. He received many national and international awards and was a Fellow of the Chemical Institute of Canada and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum. He was a giant of hydrometallurgy in Canada and internationally, and his legacy continues to greatly benefit those of us in the metallurgical field.

In 2020, in memory of John Dutrizac and to encourage undergraduate students at Canadian universities to enter the discipline of hydrometallurgy, the Hydrometallurgy Section has instituted the John E. Dutrizac Scholarship of $2,500 annually.

FATHI HABASHI SCHOLARSHIP

Professor emeritus of Extractive Metallurgy at Laval University in Quebec City, Fathi Habashi was born in Al-Minia, Egypt on October 9, 1928. He holds a B.Sc. degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cairo (1949), a Dr. techn. degree in Inorganic Chemical Technology from the University of Technology in Vienna, and honorary degrees from the Technical University of Oruro in Bolivia and the Saint Petersburg Mining Institute in Russia. Dr. Habashi taught at the Montana School of Mines and worked at the Extractive Metallurgical Research Department of Anaconda Company in Tucson, Arizona before joining Laval in 1970. He has also been guest professor or guest lecturer at a number of other universities or institutions, and consultant to the United Nations Development Program for the Cuban Laterite Project. He has authored numerous textbooks on metallurgy and the history of metallurgy, including Principles of Extractive Metallurgy in 4 volumes, and edited Handbook of Extractive Metallurgy in 4 volumes. In 1998 Professor Habashi was named a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum and in 1999 he received its silver medal. He is an Honorary Professor at the Technical University of Oruro in Bolivia, Honorary Citizen of the city of Oruro, Governor at the Fondation de l'Université Laval, and Member of Le Cercle des Ambassadeurs in Québec City.

In 2020, in recognition of Fathi Habashi and to encourage undergraduate students at Canadian universities to enter the discipline of hydrometallurgy, the Hydrometallurgy Section has instituted the Fathi Habashi Scholarship of $2,500 annually.

HENRY SALOMON DE FRIEDBERG SCHOLARSHIP

Henry worked in the field of extractive metallurgy for 40 years in both areas of pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy. After receiving a Metallurgy Master’s Degree at McGill University, Henry joined the Noranda Technology Centre in 1977 and then joined Teck in 1979.

Henry began his journey with Teck as an Engineer in Training at Teck’s Trail Operations. During his time in Trail Henry assisted in the start-up of various plants, including Zinc Pressure Leach, the Copper Products Plant, and the KIVCET lead furnace which was essential to the long-term success of the operation. Starting in 1996 Henry took a position at Quebrada Blanca in Chile where he was involved in the successful commissioning of the first large-scale secondary sulphide heap leach operation. After 5-years he moved back to Trail for several years before joining CESL in Richmond in 2007 where he worked until his retirement in 2016.

Henry was passionate about his work and metallurgy. This passion helped him foster innovation in the workplace, increase fundamental understanding and support the development of metallurgists through his ties to UBC. He was a mentor to many. Henry’s expertise and love of learning supported numerous staff and other Teck projects during his career. Henry’s expertise supported numerous projects during his career, and his passion for development of metallurgists left an impactful legacy.

In 2024, in memory of Henry Salomon de Friedberg and to encourage undergraduate students at Canadian universities who are passionate about metallurgy, are analytical, and intend to work in the field of mining or metallurgy, to enter the discipline of hydrometallurgy, the Hydrometallurgy Section has instituted the Henry Salomon de Friedberg Scholarship of $2,500 annually.

Scholarship Criteria

• Applicants must be a full-time students at a Canadian University in their 2nd, 3rd or 4th (final) year of a program at the undergraduate level and intend to work or carry out research in a field of science and engineering with relevance to hydrometallurgy.
• CIM student membership is not required but CIM members may be given preference over non-members.
• Preference will be given to Canadian Citizens or Permanent Resident students; however, International students attending a recognized Canadian educational institution are welcome to apply.
• Awarding of these scholarship will be based upon applicants’ academic achievements and motivation in the field of science and engineering with relevance to hydrometallurgy. Consideration will be given to the applicant’s past work experiences and extracurricular activities.

Application Process
No formal application forms are given. The applicant is requested to submit a written application in English or French, including the following documentation to the CIM MetSoc Hydrometallurgy Section Scholarship Committee:

1. Student Statement Letter
Prepare a maximum 200 word statement explaining:

• Applicant's career objectives in hydrometallurgy
• Applicant's educational objectives
• How this scholarship would help the applicant attain the above objectives
• Why the applicant wants to work in the field of hydrometallurgy and how he/she will maintain involvement with the hydrometallurgical industry or research community.
• The Committee reserves the right to contact the reference persons provided by the scholarship applicants.

2. Student Resume
Indicate internships, work and/or co-op experience, academic courses and projects related to the applicant's intended area of study in college or university. Extracurricular activities should be highlighted as an important aspect of the application.

3. Official Transcript
Request and submit one original transcript to date from the applicant's school(s).

4. Name, title and contact information for 2 reference persons
The referees could be faculties, employers, teachers, coaches, etc. At least one referee should be familiar with the applicant’s academic performance. The Committee reserves the right to contact the reference persons provided by the scholarship applicants.

5. Applicants of the Lucy Rosato Scholarships are automatically enrolled to the Hydrometallurgical Undergraduate Scholarships.

Past Recipients

Before 2020 we offered two Hydrometallurgy scholarships. In 2020 these were renamed.

2023
- Ritcey award: Guillermo Alvial-Hein,  Queen's University
- Peters award: Philip Gamboa,  McGill University
- Dutrizac scholarship: William Slaney,  Memorial University
- Habashi Scholarship: Jilai Zhang,  University of Toronto
- Rosato scholarship: Jessica Rudd,  Laurentian University
- Sherritt award Awards | Hydrometallurgy Section: Edouard Asselin,  The University of British Columbia

2022 – Dutrizac Scholarship: Julia Twinney, Queen’s University
        – Habashi Scholarship: Audrey Scanlan, Carleton University
2021 – Dutrizac Scholarship: Brendan Hubert, Queens University
        – Habashi Scholarship: Andre Santoso, University of Montreal
2020 – Dutrizac Scholarship: Andrew Borschnek, Queen’s University
        – Habashi Scholarship: Ahmed Kabil, University of Toronto
2019 – Jungwoon Lee of Queen’s University, and Adrian Singer of McGill University
2018 – Carter Senis of Queen’s University, and William Dixon of McGill University
2017 – Chenbo Xu of the University of Toronto, and William Courchesne of McGill University
2016 – James Cruikshanks of Queen's University
2015 – Justin Riggio of McGill University
2014 – Cooper Meadows of the University of Saskatchewan, and Cameron Hill of McGill University
2013 – Jonathan Leung and Raphael Soldi-Giribaldi, both of the University of Toronto.
2012 – Corinne Nicole Smith and David Clive Elliott, both of Memorial University
2011 - Sara Fitzel of the University of Alberta and Jordan Zampini at McGill University.

LUCY ROSATO UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

Lucy Rosato (1953-2011) was an active member of the Hydrometallurgy Section of MetSoc and an innovator, a manager and a respected business leader who made significant contributions in the field of zinc and metallurgy. As a research scientist, she was active for 20 years in copper, silver and especially zinc hydrometallurgy. For her contributions to the field of hydrometallurgy, she received the Sherritt Hydrometallurgy Award in 1993, the only woman recipient in the award's history to that date. Amongst her many technical achievements, she played a key role in the development and implementation of the Jarofix process which received the Xstrata Innovation Award in 2003. She authored numerous papers, co-authored several patents and chaired conferences in hydrometallurgy and electrochemistry. In the mid 1990’s Lucy Rosato became Technical Director of the CEZinc refinery, Valleyfield Quebec Canada and in 2002 became President and CEO of the Noranda Income Fund with direct responsibility for CEZinc. She became the first woman to be named General Manager of a Noranda metallurgical plant, and of any zinc plant world-wide. Her personal touch and sense of humour made her a unique and natural leader.

Lucy Rosato left an indelible mark in the minds and hearts of all those who were fortunate to have known and worked with her. In particular, she inspired and mentored other women to seek advancement in the challenging world of metallurgy.

In memory of Lucy Rosato and as a tribute to her significant contributions, the Hydrometallurgy Section has established a one-year scholarship of $5,000 for a female 3rd or 4th year undergraduate student enrolled full-time in any science and/or engineering program at a Canadian university, who intends to work in the field of hydrometallurgy, mining, or environment.

Scholarship Criteria

We encourage you to apply for this scholarship if you are a female who has:

• Passion for hydrometallurgy, mining or environment.
• Achievement in science and/or engineering relating to hydrometallurgy, mining or environment.
• Demonstrated community accomplishments.

Application Process
The selection process is managed by the Hydrometallurgy Section’s Scholarships sub-committee, which reports to the Education Chair. No formal application forms are used. To apply, submit a written application in English or French, including the following documentation to the CIM MetSoc Hydrometallurgy Section Scholarship sub-committee:

1. Student Statement

A brief (maximum 2 pages) statement explaining:

• Your career objectives in hydrometallurgy, mining or environment.
• Your educational objectives.
• How this scholarship would help you attain your objectives.
• Why you want to work in the field of hydrometallurgy, mining or environment.
• How you intend to maintain involvement with the hydrometallurgical industry or research community.

Include relevant referees who can be contacted to support your application, should the sub-committee wish to do so.

2. Student Résumé

Indicate internships, work and/or co-op experience, academic courses and projects related to your area of study. Extracurricular activities should be highlighted as an important aspect of your application.

3. Official Transcript

Request and submit one original transcript to date from your school.

4. Two Recommendation Letters

The recommendation letters can be from faculty, employers, teachers, coaches, etc., with at least one written by a faculty member acquainted with your academic performance.

5. Applicants of the Lucy Rosato Scholarships are automatically enrolled to the Hydrometallurgical Undergraduate Scholarships 

Past Recipients

2022 - Julia Twinney, Queen´s University & Audrey Scanlan, Carleton University
2021 – Susanna Zhang, Queens University
2020 – Jasmine-Sophie Papineau-de Monitgny, Ecole Polytechnique
2019 – Ellie McLeod of the University of Victoria
2018 – Chenbo Xu of the University of Toronto
2017 – Sahar Ayaz of the University of Toronto
2016 – Emma Dodds of UBC
2015 – Caitlyn McKinley of Queen’s University
2014 – Shelby Pottle of Dalhousie University
2013 – Sarah Ingram of Queen’s University