Program Overview
Four days of technical content, industry insight, and community networking. Our program is designed to advance metallurgy and materials knowledge.
Preliminary Book of Abstracts
The COM 2026 Preliminary Book of Abstracts – Oral Presentations Is Now Available!
Explore accepted abstracts and get a preview of the research and innovations that will be featured at COM 2026.
Please note: this preliminary abstract collection is subject to change and may contain minor errors. Presentation titles, authors, and session details may be revised or removed as the technical program is finalized.
Online Program
The Technical Program for COM 2026 is now available!
Explore the list of accepted presentations and get a preview of what’s in store. Please note: the program is subject to change.
Schedule Overview
From short courses and social events to technical sessions and plenaries, each day builds toward connection, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.Â
Conference begins Monday, August 17 at 15:30
Full session details will be available closer to the conference.
Time | Monday, August 17 |
|---|---|
08:00 | Short Courses 8:00-15:15 |
09:00 | |
10:00 | |
11:00 | |
12:00 | |
13:00 | |
14:00 | |
15:00 | Exhibitor & Network Lounge (15:00-18:30) |
15:30 | Plenary (15:30-16:30) |
16:30 | Sustainability Panel Discussion (16:30-17:30) |
17:30 | Welcome reception 17:30-18:30
|
18:30 |
Time | Tuesday, August 18 |
|---|---|
08:15 | Technical Session |
9:30 | Exhibitor & Network Lounge (9:30-18:00) |
9:50 | Coffee Break (9:50-10:20) |
10:20 | Technical Session |
11:20 | |
12:00 | Historical Metallurgy Luncheon (12:00-13:30) |
13:30 | Technical Session |
14:30 | |
15:00 | |
15:10 | Coffee Break (15:10-15:40) |
15:40 | MetSoc Annual General Meeting (15:40-16:00) |
16:10 | Plenary (16:10-16:50) |
16:50 | Happy Hour (16:50-17:50) |
17:45 | Student-Industry Mixer (17:45-18:45) |
Time | Wednesday, August 19 |
|---|---|
08:30 | Technical Session |
9:30 | Exhibitor & Network Lounge (9:30-18:00) |
9:50 | Coffee Break (9:50-10:20) |
10:20 | Technical Session |
11:20 | |
12:00 | Lunch Break (12:00-13:30) |
13:30 | Technical Session |
14:30 | |
14:50 | Coffee Break (14:50-15:20) |
15:20 | Technical Session |
16:40 | |
16:30 | Happy Hour (16:30-17:30) |
18:30 | MetSoc Awards Banquet |
19:30 | |
20:30 | |
21:00 | Celebratory Reception |
Time | Thursday, August 20 | |
|---|---|---|
08:30 | Plenary (8:30-9:10) | Exhibitor & Network Lounge (9:00-12:00) |
9:20 | Technical Session | |
09:40 | ||
10:00 | ||
10:20 | Coffee Break (10:20-10-50) | |
10:50 | Technical Session | |
11:30 | ||
12:00 | Section Box Lunch Hydrometallurgy Luncheon | |
13:30 | Technical Session | |
13:50 | ||
14:50 | Coffee Break (14:50-15:20) | |
15:20 | Technical Session | |
15:40 | ||
16:40 | End of conference |
Network. Learn. Discover.
Here is a glimpse of some of the interactive sessions and learning opportunities at our event:
From Monday to Thursday, COM offers dedicated networking opportunities designed to help you unwind, connect with peers, and strengthen professional relationships. Social events are woven into the program to encourage conversation, collaboration, and community. Connection is a key part of the COM experience.
- Monday: Welcome Reception
- Tuesday: Happy Hour
- Tuesday: Student-Industry Mixer
- Wednesday: Happy HourÂ
- Wednesday: MetSoc Awards Banquet
Plenary & keynote presentations
COM 2026 will feature plenary and keynote presentations from respected leaders in the metallurgy and materials community, offering high‑level insights and perspectives on industry challenges and opportunities.
- Onno Rutten, Mackenzie Investments — Plenary presentation on Canadian Critical Mineral Resources
- Panel Discussion on the future of smelting and refining in Canada, with:
- Phillip Mackey, P.J.Mackey Technology Inc (Moderator)
- John Bryant, Hatch
- Matt Parrilla, Teck
- Pascal Coursol, Glencore
- Gary Fisher, InnoTech — Historical Metallurgy Luncheon Lecturer, featuring the Fathi Habashi Lecturer, on wear-resistant materials for oil sands mining operations
- Terry McNulty, T. P. McNulty and Associates, Inc. — Plenary presentation on the updates of McNulty’s ramp-up curves.
COM 2026 will feature more than 275 peer-reviewed technical presentations across nine symposia, offering attendees in‑depth insight into current research, technologies, and industry applications. Learn more about each symposium:
See COM in Action
Revisit plenary presentations from recent COM conferences and hear from distinguished speakers who have helped shape key conversations in metallurgy and materials.
- COM & LightMAT 2025 – Montreal, Quebec:
Watch plenary presentations by Nikhil Gupta (New York University) and Saurabh Sedha (Rio Tinto).
- COM 2024 – Halifax, Nova Scotia:
View presentations by John Goode (J.R. Goode and Associates) and Lachlan MacKinnon (Cape Breton University).
- COM 2023 – Toronto, Ontario:
Watch plenary talks by Sam Marcuson (Vale retired) & Peter Warrian (University of Toronto), and Donald Sadoway (Co-Founder of Ambri, Boston Metal, Avanti Battery, and Sadoway Labs.).
Have questions?
Find everything you need to know about the conference, registration, and accommodations on our FAQ page.
Registration for COM will open in April.
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