Duncan R. Derry Award

Duncan R. Derry Medal

The Duncan R. Derry Medal is the highest award bestowed by the Mineral Deposits Division (MDD). It is awarded annually to the outstanding economic geologist who has made significant contributions to the science of economic geology in Canada.

Candidates should be recognized for their skill and stature as professional economic geologists, and also by their public contributions to the science field. It is acknowledged that publication is the prime, but not only method, of disseminating scientific information in any discipline. Candidates should be members of the GAC®, and preferably, but not necessarily, MDD members.

The 2024 Duncan R. Derry Medal is awarded to Dr. Keiko Hattori (University of Ottawa) 

Dr. Keiko Hattori has conducted research on a broad range of geoscience topics, including volcanology, sedimentary geochemistry, and mantle petrology and geochemistry. These studies have a common theme, understanding the geological framework for metallic mineralization. The work includes the documentation of the paleo-surface environment for uranium placer formation, the metal transport in active volcanoes, recycling of volatiles and metals to arc magmas in subduction zones, and characterization of magmas linked to porphyry copper deposits. She has published more than 170 peer-reviewed papers in numerous journals, including Nature and Science. Her work has contributed to regional exploration for uranium, porphyry copper, and epithermal gold deposits. She has served on executive councils for more than 15 organizations and professional societies, and on government panels, most recently for Canada's Chief Science Advisor and for the European Union.

Keiko has taught courses on mineral deposits, including alteration and ore petrography, as well as geochemistry at the University of Ottawa since 1983. Her open-mindedness, and her approach combining geochemical analysis and rigorous field work attracted over 90 students to her research projects. Many of them have gone into leading positions in industry, government and university.

Keiko's research has been recognized with several awards, including the Takeo Kato Gold Medal from the Japan Society of Resource Geology, and she was appointed as the International Exchange Lecturer for the Society of Economic Geologists, visiting universities throughout Asia, Europe and USA. Keiko is elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, where she now serves as Director of the Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Division, and also elected Fellow of the Mineralogical Society of America.


The Derry Medal will be presented to Dr. Keiko Hattori at the 2025 GAC-MAC meeting in Ottawa.

Keiko with students and collaborators...

At Cameco’s McArthur River Mine: From left, Jack Dann (MSc program), Brian McGill (Chief Geologist of the mine), Michael Power (MSc program), Erin Adlakha (PhD program) and Keiko Hattori.

At DeBeer’s Victor mine: From left, Mudhar Al-Kafaji (BSc program), Stew Hamilton (OGS, PhD program), Keiko Hattori, Kerstin Brauneder (MSc program), Gordon Southam (Western University).

Camping near Goldcorp’s Musselwhite mine: From left, Tash Kalbfleisch, Jason Duff, Keiko Hattori, Amanda Van Lankvelt,, Colter Kelley (all students in MSc program)

Field work near the Taseko’s Gibraltar mine:

Chris Kobylinski (left, MSc program).

At Exploration office of Buenaventura’s Tantahuatay mine, Peru.  In front row, second from left: Martin Viala (MSc program); second right: Angel Uzategui (Goldfields La Cima). Second from right, back row: Jose Trujillo (Chief Geologist, Tantahuatay mine).

At the Impala’s Lac des les mine, Right: Franck Valli (MSc program).

Past Winners

Main Awards Page

2023: Stephen J. Piercey

2022: Patrick Mercier-Langevin

2021: Iain SamsonParagraph

2020: Sarah-Jane Barnes
2019: Jeremy Richards
2018: Wouter Bleeker
2017: Kurt Kyser
2016: Dan Kontak
2015: Doreen Ames
2014: B. H. S. Smith
2013: A. Galley
2012: H. L. Gibson
2011: B. Dube
2010: N. Duke
2009 F. Robert
2008: M. Hannington
2007: C. M. Lesher
2006: H. Poulsen
2005: J. Hedenquist
2003: R. Kerrich
2002: A. Clark
2001: H. S. Swinden
2000: A. E. Williams-Jones
1999: D. H. Watkinson
1998: R. V. Kirkham
1997: S. D. Scott
1996: F. R. Joubin
1995: C. J. Hodgson
1994: A. C. Brown
1993: W. H. MacLean
1992: J. M. Franklin2
1991: J. D. Harvey
1990: C. I. Goodwin
1989: G. O. Allard
1988: E. A. Swanson
1987: A. E. Soregaroli
1986: R. W. Hodder
1985: M. J. Knuckey
1984: J. J. Brummer
1983: R. W. Hutchinson
1982: G. D. J. Boldy
1981: D. F. Sangster
1980: A. J. Naldrett
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