Martin Vydra

Martin Vydra joined Conic Metals after a 31 year career with Sherritt International Corporation, a leader in the mining, processing and refining of lateritic nickel and cobalt with operations in Canada, Cuba and Madagascar. Martin is widely recognized as an expert in nickel and cobalt extraction, processing and refining including the development and application of advanced technologies to maximize the recovery of valuable metals such as nickel and cobalt from a variety of feeds. While at Sherritt, Martin’s technical accomplishments spanned four continents and over 20 operations including postings in Australia where he was integrated in Murrin Murrin’s refinery start up; Finland for the design of Harjavalta’s nickel reduction circuit; and, in Chile where he oversaw the design, construction and commissioning of a major pressure oxidation operation.

From 2012 to 2017, Martin held the position of Senior Vice-President of Metals, where he successfully guided the division through one of the most challenging periods in the commodities cycle, while delivering production at near to bottom quartile costs. Martin played a key role in the assessment of Cuba’s operations at Moa Bay, which resulted in the formation of Sherritt’s Moa Joint Venture. From 2005 to 2007, Martin was responsible for engineering, maintenance and capital construction at Sherritt’s nickel refinery and was considered one of Sherritt’s top technical experts across global operations. Most recently, Martin served as Sherritt’s Senior Vice President, Commercial and Technologies, where he had oversight for the sales and marketing of nickel and cobalt, and marketing and commercialization of Sherritt’s proprietary technologies. Martin was instrumental in gaining access to numerous markets culminating with large-scale commercial plants built in China (zinc processing and coinage), Australia (HPAL), and in South America (pressure oxidation of sulphide ores).

In addition to his technical expertise, from 2008-2011, Martin held the position of Managing Director, Commercial Contracts and Marketing, with global responsibility for metal marketing which included finished products from Sherritt’s Ambatovy and Moa joint ventures. Over his career, Martin has been responsible for the sales and marketing of cobalt, nickel, fine cobalt powders and chemicals, thermal spray powders and coinage with end users ranging from aerospace to lithium-ion battery manufacturers.