Britt MacKinnon: Continuously striving to create a positive impact
Brigitte Farah Metsoc
Our mission is to serve and connect the global #metallurgy and #materials community.
Britt MacKinnon joined Hatch in June 2019 after completing her Applied Sciences degree in Chemical Engineering and Certificate in Business at Queen’s University. Since joining Hatch, Britt has worked with the Pyrometallurgy sector practice on a Greenfield Pig Iron Feasibility Study, with the Hydrometallurgy sector practice on a Battery Recycling Project, with the Advisory practice on a Catastrophic Risk Assurance Project, and most recently with the Pyrometallurgy sector practice on an Integrated Steelworks Expansion FEL2. Britt is passionate about continuous learning and understanding the dynamic Canadian metallurgy sector. Britt enjoys collaborating with others to find innovative solutions to challenges, especially those related to creating a more sustainable metallurgical industry.
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Let's talk about your involvement with MetSoc. How many years have you been close to the Society? When did you first hear about it?
I joined MetSoc as a student member. Special thank you to Professor Chris Pickles for encouraging me to join!??
I was thrilled to be selected as a 2020-2021 MetSoc Emerging Professional (EP) in the Sustainability technical section.
I also enjoyed being the COM 2021 Short Course Chair and Symposium Organizer for?WALSIM IX: Water, Air, Land Sustainability Issues in Mining and Metal Extraction. I'm honoured to be a COM 2022 Symposium Co-Chair for?Towards Sustainable Circularity: Mining to Materials. I strive to be an enthusiastic catalyst for positive change in my approach to project work and interactions with teammates and clients alike.
What did you think of the EP program?
The EP program has provided myself and other EPs wonderful opportunities to learn and grow early on in our respective careers. I'm grateful to be learning from renowned industry leaders, and excited to continue developing my own technical expertise.
How was your experience during COM last?year? What was the scope of your involvement?
On top of being a Short Course Chair and Symposium Organizer, I also enjoyed preparing and presenting the paper?ASSESSMENT OF THE NET EMISSIONS REDUCTION POTENTIAL OF IRON ORE BENEFICIATION FOR BLAST FURNACE IRONMAKING with my colleagues.
We have to say, the photos you shared with us are amazing, can you walk us through them?
I cherish the many lessons learned and the great memories from my time at Queen’s University (cover photo). I was co-captain and project manager for the Queen’s University Experimental Sustainability Team (QUEST). QUEST’s mission is to give students who are passionate about sustainability the resources and professional environment to gain relevant experience by providing hands-on design projects that generate awareness and improve the sustainability of the Queen’s community. My involvement with QUEST ignited my passion to revolutionize sustainability in the?metallurgical?industry!
Outside of work, I spend my time skiing, skating, golfing, and scuba diving. I am proud to serve on the Canadian Ski Patrol as a Patroller as well as being the National Recruitment & Retention Coordinator. If you are interested in joining the Canadian Ski Patrol, reach out to me!
Incredibly, you were named MetSoc Sustainability chair recently. Where do you find the time??Tell us about this role, how it's going, and what you're looking to accomplish.
I love challenges, and I create the time to tackle new challenges! Although I joke about having 25 hour days, I really have developed strong time management skills. Back in high school, I competed on the varsity basketball team, swim team, and rowing team. I was also actively involved in my community (I was awarded the Lieutenant Governor's Community Volunteer Award and the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award), and I achieved the highest grades in my graduating class (awarded the Governor General's Academic Medal).
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“You're a force to be reckoned with, Britt. Congrats on taking on this challenge.” – Boyd Davis
Our Sustainability section is committed to creating stronger relationships with the other technical sections through close collaboration for COM 2022, COM 2023, and beyond.
Chris Pickles was the previous Sustainability Chair and you will now begin to work alongside him as co-chair of the COM 2022 symposium Towards Sustainable Circularity: Mining to Materials. The call for abstracts will open mid-month, can you tell us more about this topic?
Our COM 2022 symposium?Towards Sustainable Circularity: Mining to Materials?is a multidisciplinary forum, bringing together experts and researchers in the fields of mining, mineral processing, metallurgy, and materials with a common interest in sustainability. Topics of interest include: mineral and material circularity, net-zero decarbonization processing, zero waste processes, batteries from minerals supply to recycling, climate change, water management, dry tailings and adaptation.
Why would you recommend that students and professionals join MetSoc?
What are your long-term career goals and dreams?
As an enthusiastic catalyst for positive change, I care about creating a more sustainable metallurgical industry.
As a young professional, I'm learning from brilliant, world-renowned subject matter experts, and I'm excited to be developing my own technical expertise. I am grateful for the tremendous support and mentorship. I look forward to tackling new challenges and I will continuously strive to create a positive impact on the metallurgical industry.
Is there anything else that you'd like to cover or tell our audience? The floor is yours.
Yes. I also mentor FIRST? Robotics Canada teams 1374 and 1334. Back in high school, I was a student on FRC team 1334 and now I'm thrilled to mentor the next generation of students interested in pursuing further education and careers in STEM.
Recently, team 1374 competed in FIRST's Global Innovation Awards to invent a product that helps members of the community. The team created a robotic arm to help those who have low mobility. They were introduced to this problem when they met Dean, a member of their community who really wanted to accomplish tasks on his own. The team was motivated and inspired by his story (even naming the product “Dean’s Arm”) and passionately worked to create this product.
Team 1374 was a world finalist in the Global Innovation Awards! Out of 970 teams in the world who competed, they placed in the Top 20!
Watch their 30-second pitch at the 24:40 mark below:
Learn about their invention here.
If you are interested in mentoring a FIRST? Robotics Canada team, don't hesitate to contact me!