COM Symposia
Get an overview look at this year’s symposia on materials science, light metals and sustainability.
Click on the boxes below to learn more about each symposium.
METALLURGY
Hydrometallurgy
Hydrometallurgy: Precious Metals Processing
This symposium focuses on hydrometallurgical techniques for extracting precious metals from ores, concentrates, slags, and recycled materials. Topics include:
- New projects and processing methods
- Advances in extraction chemistry and efficiency
- Technologies for measurement, safety, and process control
- Applications of AI and automation in hydrometallurgy
Precious metals such as gold, silver, and platinum group metals remain central to evolving extraction technologies, making this a timely and dynamic area of discussion.
Chair
Brad Hewitt, Global Director, High Pressure Metallurgy, Hatch Ltd.
Symposium Committee
Hydrometallurgy: Processing of Critical Materials
This symposium focuses on the hydrometallurgical processing of materials essential to energy storage, magnet production, and other emerging technologies. Topics include:
- Extraction and processing of critical materials such as lithium, vanadium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, and rare earth elements
- Development of technologies to improve yields, energy efficiency, and recycling
- Innovations in processing methods for materials increasingly recognized as “critical” in a rapidly evolving industry
The session aims to highlight advancements that support sustainable and efficient resource utilization.
Chair
Mike Johnson, Senior Metallurgist, Metallurgy and Consulting, SGS Canada Inc.
Symposium Committee
- John Goode
- Niels Verbaan
- Ghazaleh Nazari
- Georgios Kolliopoulos
- Gisele Azimi
Pyrometallurgy
Pyrometallurgy: Hydrogen uses in Process Metallurgy
This symposium focuses on the role of hydrogen in reducing carbon emissions in the metallurgical industry. It will bring together experts from industry and research organizations to explore:
- Opportunities to use hydrogen as a reductant in place of fossil fuels
- Fundamental principles of hydrogen-based metallurgical processes
- Recent technological developments in hydrogen metallurgy
- Key challenges in implementation, scalability, and adoption
The session aims to foster dialogue and innovation around sustainable high-temperature metal processing.
Co-Chairs
Jafar Safarian, NTNU
Mansoor Barati, University of Toronto
Leili Tafaghodi, McMaster University
Symposium Committee
Sustainability
Sustainability: Transforming Processes and Project Delivery
This symposium explores how the mining and metallurgy industries can rapidly evolve to become nature-positive. It focuses on rethinking legacy processes, integrating sustainable technologies, and improving project delivery.
Key discussion areas include:
- Redesigning legacy processes without compromising performance
- Learning from other industries to improve environmental outcomes
- Applying tools like AI to enhance sustainability
- Encouraging cross-sector collaboration and stakeholder-driven solutions
- Implementing circular economy strategies and minimizing project risks
- Protecting biodiversity, improving water treatment, and reducing emissions
The goal is to share practical insights and innovations that support sustainable transformation across the industry.
Co-Chairs
Laurie Reemeyer, Resourceful Pathways
Britt MacKinnon, Hatch
Symposium Committee
- Rob Stephens, Tech2Strat Consulting
Light Metals
Light Metals: New Age Alloys, Processes and Solutions
This symposium highlights recent developments in the design, processing, characterization, and implementation of new age light metals such as aluminum, magnesium, titanium, and others. It will cover a wide range of topics, including:
- Al-Sc alloys and other advanced compositions
- Alloys incorporating rare earths or critical minerals (e.g., cerium, dysprosium, scandium, lithium)
- Recycling technologies for light metals
- Innovative production methods including additive manufacturing, casting, welding, forging, and rolling
- Emerging applications in biomedical, energy, communication, and electronics sectors
The session also builds on previous discussions around light metals for transportation, emphasizing their growing role in sustainable mobility and advanced engineering solutions.
Co-Chairs
Ahmed Tiamiyu, University of Calgary
Abdallah Elsayed, University of Guelph
Mousa Javidani, UQAC
Symposium Committee
- Konstantinos Korgiopoulos, Kingston Process Metallurgy
Konstantinos Korgiopoulos, Kingston Metals & Materials Inc. (KM&M)
Materials
Materials: Corrosion and Environmental Degradation
This symposium focuses on the challenges posed by environmental degradation and corrosion to the durability and reliability of structural and functional materials, including metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites. It will bring together experts from academia and industry to share advances in:
- Theoretical understanding and computational modeling of corrosion mechanisms
- Experimental studies on corrosion and degradation control
- General and localized corrosion phenomena
- Metallurgical and chemical-mechanical interactions
- Corrosion sensing and advanced characterization techniques
Applications of interest include energy and power generation, fuel transportation, manufacturing, and biomass/chemical processing.
Co-Chairs
Joseph Kish, McMaster University
Suraj Persaud, Queen's University
Symposium Committee
Materials: Factory of the Future
This symposium explores emerging technologies shaping the future of manufacturing across industries such as automotive, aerospace, medical, energy, and mining. It focuses on:
- Advanced manufacturing and smart automation
- Reducing lead times, maintenance costs, and reliance on overseas suppliers
- Building intelligent, self-optimizing, and sustainable production systems
Topics may include:
- Additive manufacturing and powder metallurgy
- Human-robot interaction and big data analytics
- Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and quantum computing
- Precision manufacturing and digital twins
- Micro/nano manufacturing and automated characterization
The session aims to showcase innovations driving the next generation of industrial performance.
Chair
Mohsen Mohammadi, University of New Brunswick
Sheida Safaran, National Research Council Canada
Symposium Committee
Materials: Manufacturing for Extreme Conditions
- High-performance alloys, ceramics, and composites with enhanced environmental resistance
- Innovative and hybrid manufacturing methods and digital process control
- Design, modeling, and multiscale simulation of materials under coupled extreme stresses
- Testing, qualification, and performance evaluation for critical and emerging applications
- Sustainable routes for advanced manufacturing, recycling, and life-cycle optimization
Co-Chairs
Sima Alidokht, Memorial University
Bosco Yu, University of Victoria
Hamed Asgari, University of New Brunswick
Symposium Committee
Materials: Next-Gen Electrochemical Devices; Materials to Systems
This symposium highlights advances in electrochemical devices such as batteries, fuel cells, and electrolysers. It focuses on:
- New materials and improved production techniques
- Integrated system designs for better performance, durability, and sustainability
- Component creation, interface engineering, in-situ diagnostics, and modeling methods
- Local and in-house component production, with emphasis on Canadian suppliers
- Understanding degradation mechanisms that limit the longevity and efficiency of energy systems
The session aims to support innovation in sustainable energy technologies through materials and systems-level research.
Co-Chairs
Xiaolei Wang, UAlberta, Professor, Edmonton AB
Samaneh Shahgaldi, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
Symposium Committee
- Gaofeng Li, NRC
Symposia title here
This symposium is sponsored by Metso and AtkinsRealis.
Specific themes include, but are not limited to:
- Case studies of successful and unsuccessful engineering projects
- Challenges in running high-energy experiments in the academic setting
- Hybridization of mineral processing and extractive metallurgy
- Hybridization of extractive metallurgy and recycling
- Current and future trends in extractive metallurgy
Consulting & design firms, metal producers and mines, academics.
Chair: Alessandro Navarra, McGill University
Co-Chair: Elmira Moosavi, École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS)
Leili Tafaghodikhajavi, McMaster University
Roberto Parra, Universidad de Concepción
Philippe Ouzilleau, McGill University
Anthony Buragina, BBA
Nagendra Tripathi, Rio Tinto
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