CEEC Medal High Commendations 2024
Each year, the CEEC Medal celebrates outstanding contributions to advancing eco-efficient minerals and metals production. Alongside the Medal winners, CEEC is proud to recognise papers awarded a High Commendation, which reflect exceptional research and practice driving sustainability and efficiency in the mining industry.
In the Technical Research category, a High Commendation was awarded to “Transformational Flowsheet: Unlocking Energy and Water Savings” by Erich Dohm, Fisher Wang, Serhat Onol, Evgeny Zhmarin, and Drew Hobert. Presented at the Mineral Processing 2024 International Conference in Mongolia, the paper introduces an innovative flowsheet integrating high-pressure grinding rolls, vertical stirred mills, and coarse particle flotation. Studies showed a 36% reduction in energy use and a 50% reduction in water consumption compared to conventional flowsheets. The work demonstrates how modernising circuits can deliver both improved recovery and substantial environmental benefits. Reflecting on the commendation, co-author Erich Dohm said: “Receiving the CEEC Medal High Commendation is a proud moment. It validates our commitment to sustainable innovation and collaborative engineering. This recognition inspires us to keep pushing boundaries in energy-efficient mineral processing.”
In the Operations & Design category, a High Commendation was awarded to “Engineering, Commissioning and Operation of a Stirred Mill in the Arctic Circle” by Sarah Simard, Louis Racine, François Desilets, Gillaume L’Écuyer, François Robichaud, Louis-Philippe Gelinas, Joel Bournival, Derek Reid and Daniel Roy. Presented at the 57th Annual Canadian Mineral Processors Operators Conference in Ottawa in 2025, the paper documents the commissioning of a 4,500 HP Metso Vertimill at Agnico Eagle’s Meliadine Mine in Nunavut. Operating under the extreme conditions of the Arctic Circle, the project successfully increased throughput to over 7,000 tonnes per day while reducing specific energy consumption. This achievement highlights the importance of planning, engineering foresight, and collaboration in delivering innovation in challenging environments.
These commendations underscore the breadth of innovation shaping the future of mining, from transformational concepts to real-world operational excellence. CEEC warmly congratulates all authors on their achievements and their contribution to advancing sustainable mining practices.
The CEEC Medal program continues to celebrate excellence in Technical Research and Operations & Design. We encourage researchers, practitioners, and industry leaders to submit their work for consideration in the 2025 CEEC Medal. Help us showcase innovations that deliver measurable improvements in energy, water, and tailings management.
Learn more and submit your nomination here: www.ceecthefuture.org/medals