About Joe Ferron

Renowned hydrometallurgist Joe Ferron, beloved husband of Christine, father of Florence and Mathieu, predeceased by son Etienne, suddenly passed away in January 2023.  Joe was instrumental in the development of many critical materials projects and the mentorship of the next generation of metallurgists,. Joe was the recipient of the Sherritt Hydrometallurgy award in 2001, with a career spanning a wide array of metals, materials, and processes.

Joe’s carrier began after receiving his metallurgical engineering degree in 1974 from the Louvain University in Belgium, followed by several years working in research and development at Louvain University and Gecamines, Congo (ex. Zaire). He completed his Ph.D. in Mineral Engineering and Chemical Metallurgy in 1988 at the H. Krumb School of Mines, Columbia University, New York. From 1989 to 2005, Joe occupied various positions within SGS Lakefield (originally Lakefield Research), including his role as Manager of the Hydrometallurgy Group from 1992-2000.  After 2005, he started his own consulting firm (HydroProc Consultants) and remained a valuable voice to those at SGS Lakefield, in addition to working part time for Neo Performance Materials (Previous Molycorp Minerals) as the Vice President of Metallurgical Technology.  Joe remained involved in numerous developing projects until his passing.