Distinguished Lecturers - Description
CIM Distinguished Lecturers are chosen on the basis of their accomplishments in scientific, technical, management or educational activities related to the minerals industry, and speak at CIM Branch meetings across the country. Click here to request a Lecturer.
Sponsored by Atlas Copco and the Canadian Mining and Metallurgical Foundation.
This Year's Winners | 2010-2011
Click on names below for quick navigation.
Mahesh C. Chaturvedi | Michael Dogett | James M. Franklin | Norman O. Lotter | David D. Rodier
Mahesh C. ChaturvediWinnipeg, MB
For his pioneering work in superalloys and grain-boundary engineering yielding breakthroughs in superalloy welding, having a profound effect on the aerospace industry.
Mahesh Chaturvedi is a professor at the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg. He was the Associate Dean of Engineering (1982-91) and Associate VP Research, and currently holds a Tier-1 Canada Research Chair. As a professor of materials engineering, he has contributed extensively to materials education through his lectures and was ASM–IIM Lecturer in 2006. He also received funds from the Canadian International Development Agency to develop a three-year institutional linkage program with Khon Kaen University in Thailand, a five-year linkage program with Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and another five-year program with Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China, to improve the teaching of materials science and engineering at those universities. Mahesh has contributed his time generously in serving the wider interests of the scientific and research communities. He was chair of the Manitoba Research Council for two years, a member of the NSERC Chemical and Metallurgical Grant Selection committee, and is a member of College of Reviewers of Canada Research Chairs, and of CFI applications.
As Distinguished Lecturer Mahesh C. Chaturvedi will present:
The Role of Boron in Design Superalloys
Boron (B) is a very important alloying element in many alloys, and in concentrations as low as parts per million, it can significantly alter their properties. The most common use of boron is to improve creep and other high-temperature properties of stainless steels and nickel superalloys. In this regard, a significant increase in creep properties of Inconel 718 superalloys has been reported by the addition of 200 ppm boron. However, the addition of boron or increasing its concentration is not always beneficial. Unfortunately, boron cannot be eliminated from superalloys because of its beneficial effect on their creep properties. For the last several years, the research group has been studying the effect of the concentration of boron on fatigue and fracture, as well as on weldability of Inconel 718 superalloy. The focus of this research was to determine the optimum concentration of boron required for acceptable high-temperature properties and the role of boron in causing HAZ microfissuring in electron beam welds and how to minimize it. An overview of this research will be presented.
Michael DogettKingston, ON
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the advancement and application of mineral economics through his research, publications, teaching, and industry workshops.
Michael Doggett is president of HanOcci Group, a resource investment and mining advisory service based in Toronto and Vancouver. He has 25 years of experience in the field of mineral economics, advising mining companies, governments and international agencies. He has delivered professional development programs in mineral project evaluation to more than 1,200 people in a dozen countries. Michael is an adjunct professor at Queen’s University, where he served as director of the Mineral Exploration Master’s Program from 1997 to 2007. He is currently a PDAC director and serves on the board of directors of six publically traded exploration and mining companies. He has served as the Society of Economic Geologists International Exchange lecturer in 2005, and in 2002, he was the recipient of CIM’s Robert Elver Mineral Economics Award.
As Distinguished Lecturer Michael Dogett will present:
Long and Short of the Minerals Industry: A Tale of Two Extremes
The minerals industry is characterized by cyclical periods of commodity price volatility, which typically range from seven to ten years in duration. These cycles result in somewhat predictable corporate behaviour in the minerals sector as mining companies deal with windfall profits in the boom times and the inability to cover costs in the bust times. Similarly, junior exploration companies flourish in the upward portion of the cycle, as risk capital is readily available, while many cease to operate at the trough in the cycle. These responses to short-term fluctuations in commodity markets take place within the long-term context of ever-rising demand for most minerals commodities brought on by an increasing population base and corresponding economic growth. The long-term challenge for the minerals industry, therefore, is, by necessity, one of finding and developing new sources of primary supply.
The challenges and implications of operating in a business environment with often conflicting short- and long-term objectives will be the focus of this presentation. Canadian and global examples from the exploration and mining industry will be used both to illustrate short- and long-term historical trends and to consider future scenarios for meeting the long-term demand of mineral commodities.
James M. FranklinNepean, ON
In recognition of his knowledge, dedication and contribution to mineral resources research and innovation.
Jim Franklin is an exploration geologist with over 40 years of experience in the study of mineral deposits and regional metallogeny. He is a graduate of Carleton University (B.Sc., M.Sc) and the University of Western Ontario (PhD). After teaching at Lakehead University (1969–1975) and consulting for Noranda Inc. during that period, he joined the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC), where he directed major research programs on volcanogenic massive sulfide and gold deposits in the Churchill and Superior provinces from 1975 to1993. From 1983 until 1993, Jim also coordinated the GSC’s marine minerals program, an integrated research program that culminated in the discovery of a major deposit at Middle Valley on Canada’s Juan de Fuca Ridge, and two legs of ODP drilling there. As chief geoscientist of the GSC from 1993 to 1997, he was responsible for coordinating GSC’s entire scientific program. Currently, he is a director or science advisor of three exploration companies and sits on numerous boards for professional and scientific groups. His consulting work is focused on new discoveries of volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits, orogenic and porphyry-style gold in Precambrian terrains, magmatic chrome and nickel-copper sulfides, and various types of uranium deposits.
As Distinguished Lecturer James M. Franklin will present:
Future Mineral Resource Discoveries: New Knowledge Needed for Discoveryy
Future discoveries require innovative exploration. As we establish satisfactory, quantitatively qualifiable criteria for all deposit types, we can assess ore potential using modern-quality digital geological maps, at least at a broad scale. Three-dimensional rendering techniques used for deep imaging of the earth are now adapted to explore shallow crystalline terrains. Advanced ultra-sensitive geochemical methods, using gases, organic compounds, soil, plants and rocks are providing much improved vectors to ore. New field-based analytical methods enable mapping of all but the lightest elements, as well as a wide spectrum of clay minerals.
Developing quantitative models of ore-forming processes that can be applied at all scales will ensure the supply of metals needed for the rapidly developing nations, and for improved quality of life everywhere. New mining and extractive technologies must also be developed in Canada if we are to remain at the forefront of efficiency improvements in discovery and processing. The Canada Mining Innovation Council’s efforts to raise Canadian R&D capacity through new public-private partnerships, possibly developing a specific innovation fund, need our support.
Norman O. LotterFalconbridge, ON
For his pioneering innovations in the field of mineral processing test work and plant sampling.
Norman Lotter was born in South Africa and obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the Universities of Natal and Cape Town. He obtained his PhD from McGill University in later years. Norman is a Fellow and Chartered Engineer of the Engineering Council, England, and a Fellow of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Ontario and South Africa, and has 26 publications. He is a reviewer and adviser to the Minerals Engineering journal.
Norman worked for 20 years at Rustenburg Platinum Mines Limited in South Africa, where he developed an interest in improving concentrator flowsheet performance using statistical benchmark surveys and high-confidence flotation testing. He moved to Falconbridge, Ontario in 1997, where he began a modern process mineralogy group to hybridize geology, sampling, mineralogy and mineral processing into an integrated discipline. This group has served Falconbridge and Xstrata in improving the performance of operating concentrators as well as developing new flowsheets for new orebodies.
Norman is presently manager of business development for Xstrata Process Support. His special interests are in sampling, flotation and flowsheeting.
As Distinguished Lecturer Norman O. Lotter will present:
Modern Flowsheeting Technology
The problem of quantifying the full performance potential of an ore body in a concentrator, and how to configure a flowsheet to achieve that potential, either for a new operation or an existing one, is a strategic challenge. Modern flowsheeting technology that has been developed over the last twenty years has provided a suitable platform to achieve this. The integrated use of geology, compositional and quantitative mineralogy, sampling models, quality controls, and mineral processing, including flotation testing, has evolved into what is now called process mineralogy. Two specific tools have been developed and validated as standard methods. These are statistical benchmark surveying and high-confidence flotation testing. With this arrangement, one is in a position to characterize the ore from true samples and identify and quantify the economic minerals present in a manner that easily brings out the processing implications and likely grades and recoveries. In particular, the approach captures the variation in the ore body, which, if properly translated into the flowsheet design, minimizes the risk that unexpected responses will develop in the concentrator operations. An overview of this approach is presented with two case studies.
David D. RodierMississauga, ON
For his lifelong contributions in base metal recycling and sustainable development and his tireless efforts in promoting Corporate Social Responsibility.
David Rodier graduated from McGill University with a bachelor’s in metallurgical engineering in 1966. After working as an engineer-in-training at Cominco Ltd.’s metallurgical complex in Trail BC, he joined Noranda Inc. in September 1967 at their CEZinc Plant in Valleyfield, QC, where he has taken progressive management positions, culminating as president in 1992. David also worked in Noranda’s copper group serving as vice-president, operations of the CCR refinery and as senior vice-president, Copper and Recycling Business Unit, from 1995-1998. Following this, he held the corporate position of senior vice-president, environment safety and health, for Noranda Inc.
Retiring in 2002, David split his time consulting for Noranda Inc. in external outreach and sustainable development until 2005, and for Hatch Associates until 2007, to further develop their work on sustainable development. He is currently active on several boards.
As Distinguished Lecturer David D. Rodier will present:
Sustainable Development – A Passing Fad or the Strategic Way Forward?
Current events demonstrate, once again, that thorough risk management is key to the successful completion of natural resource projects. Lessons learned from past experiences demonstrate that by employing sustainable development principles, risk management can be improved. This includes the optimization of energy efficiency, water usage, health and safety and, most importantly, community outreach at the preliminary phase of development projects. The lecture will outline these points and then attempt to link them to the local concerns of the audience.
To request a Lecturer or for further information, please contact:
Distinguished Lecturers ProgramCommunications Department - CIM
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Tel.: (514) 939-2710
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E-mail: programs@cim.org