The Canadian Mineral Processors Society (CMP) of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) is Canada’s premier community for mineral processing professionals. 

Built on a foundation of operator-focused collaboration, we connect industry leaders, engineers, and students to advance technical knowledge and operational excellence across the country.

Our history: From gold metallurgists to industry leaders

The roots of the CMP trace back to an operator-oriented group originally known as the Canadian Gold Metallurgists. Founded on the core principle of "Cost plus tails"—achieving the lowest possible cost per ton of ore milled alongside the highest possible recovery—this practical focus remains our top priority today.

Read the official CMP Paper on the History of the CMP to explore our journey >

Governance and regional networks

To stay connected with local operations, the CMP is structurally organized into ten distinct geographic regions across Canada.

Our leadership structure ensures robust representation:

• Regional Board of Directors: Each of our ten regions elects a Representative to sit on the Board.
• Executive Committee: Guided by a Past Chairman, Chairman, 1st Vice-Chairman, 2nd Vice-Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer
• Applied learning strategies that convert theoretical models into operational outcomes
• Annual Governance: The Board of Directors meets three times a year (twice in January and once in June) to guide the division’s strategic direction.

Premier mineral processing conferences and events

CMP is renowned for hosting industry-leading events that bridge the gap between technical theory and practical application.

• Annual CMP Conference > : Held during the third full week of January in Ottawa, this is the CMP’s flagship technical meeting, where operators gather to share solutions, discuss emerging technologies, and network.
• Regional meetings​: Each of our ten regions hosts one to two technical meetings annually. These local events frequently feature exclusive mill and mine tours, providing members with hands-on insight into diverse operations across Canada.​

Broad industry collaboration

Beyond our standalone events, the CMP actively sponsors key technical sessions and specialized symposia at:

• CIM CONNECT >
• The Conference of Metallurgy and Materials (COM) >

Empowering the next generation: Education and student support

We are deeply committed to supporting the future of mineral processing engineering. Through both national and regional initiatives, we actively invest in students through:

• Regional scholarships: Surplus funds generated from local regional meetings are directly awarded as scholarships to promising students in the area.
• The National Student Program: Every year, CMP invites two selected students from every Canadian university and technical school offering mineral processing courses to attend our Annual Operators Conference in Ottawa—with all expenses fully paid. This unique initiative grants students unparalleled access to industry veterans, helping them build relationships, discover mentorship opportunities, and gain exposure to real-world operational challenges and practices.​

Learn more about the CMP Student Program >