CEEC announces recipients of the 2025 CEEC Medal
CEEC International is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 CEEC Medal and High Commendations, recognising outstanding contributions to more efficient and sustainable minerals processing.
The selected papers demonstrate the practical innovation, collaboration and technical excellence needed to reduce energy and water use, improve tailings management and accelerate the adoption of more sustainable processing practices.
Technical Research Medal
The 2025 CEEC Medal for Technical Research has been awarded to: NovaCell™ Pilot Performance at Mantos Blancos: Advancing Toward Full-Scale Implementation
Authors: Alfonso Flores, Emily Jaques, Peter Amelunxen, Brandon Akerstrom, Jim Orlich, Leonardo Parraguez, Mario Saavedra, Lonn Cooper and Sherwin Morgan.
Presented at Flotation ’25 in Cape Town, the paper details the pilot-scale application of NovaCell™ technology at Capstone Copper’s Mantos Blancos operation in Chile. The work demonstrates the value of collaboration between mining operations, technology providers and technical specialists in advancing innovative flotation technology towards full-scale implementation.
Technical Research High Commendation
A High Commendation in the Technical Research category has been awarded to: Hybrid Processing of Low-Grade Itabirites: Coupling Dry Magnetic Concentration and Froth Flotation to Produce High-Grade Concentrates and to Eliminate Tailing Dams
Authors: Benito Barbabela e Silva, Anderson de Araújo Soares, Monica Guimarães Vieira, Livia Mara Cândido, Arthur Pinto Chaves and Maurício Guimarães Bergerman.
Published in Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Review, the paper explores a hybrid processing route combining dry magnetic concentration and froth flotation. The research highlights the potential to recover value from low-grade resources while reducing reliance on conventional wet tailings storage.
Operations & Design Medal
The 2025 CEEC Medal for Operations & Design has been awarded to: Extending the Dry Processing Route
Authors: Jan Martens, Carsten Gerold, Rodrigo Ferrari and Juan Frausto.
Presented at Procemin 2025, the paper examines opportunities to extend dry processing within mineral processing flowsheets. The work reflects the growing importance of technologies and plant designs that can reduce water requirements and support more efficient mineral production.
Operations & Design High Commendation
A High Commendation in the Operations & Design category has been awarded to: Merged Approach to Optimize Water Management and Tailings Storage Capacity at the San Ciprián TSF
Authors: Iván Orea, Carmen Rial and Dean Ilievski.
Presented at Tailings 2025, the paper considers an integrated approach to water management and tailings storage capacity at the San Ciprián tailings storage facility. It demonstrates how operational and design strategies can work together to improve water management and support more effective use of existing tailings infrastructure.
Eric Wasmund, Chair of the CEEC Medal Evaluation Committee and CEEC’s Technical Advisory Group, said the selected papers reflected both the quality and practical relevance of this year’s nominations.
“This year’s recipients demonstrate how strong technical work can translate into practical opportunities for the minerals industry. Across flotation, dry processing, water management and tailings, these papers address significant industry challenges and provide insights that can support more efficient and sustainable operations. On behalf of the Medal Evaluation Committee, I congratulate all the authors on this well-deserved recognition.”
CEEC congratulates all the Medal and High Commendation recipients. Collectively, their papers demonstrate the breadth of innovation taking place across the minerals sector and the importance of sharing credible research and operational experience.
The recipients were selected through CEEC’s independent evaluation process, which considers technical excellence, industry relevance and the potential to contribute to more eco-efficient minerals and metals production.
Details of the 2025 CEEC Medal presentations will be announced soon.