May 10 – 15, 2026
This Ironmaking course offers a unique opportunity to gain an in-depth view of blast furnace theory, operation, and best practices.
Lectures are given by acknowledged experts in their fields coming from diversified backgrounds and global experience. It is an invaluable course for managers, operators, engineers, researchers, or anyone involved in supplying equipment, materials or raw materials to the ironmaking industry.
There is a broad range of topics covered, ranging from blast furnace design, reactions, day-to-day operation, operation during challenging conditions, campaign extension strategies, safety aspects, and many more. In addition to the lectures, further learning and networking opportunities are gained through open discussions, training exercises/simulations, and a plant tour of a local ironmaking facility.
For more information, contact cr_src@mcmaster.ca
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
Registration fee includes five days of lectures, breakfast, lunch, coffee breaks, electronic version of lecture notes, welcome reception, dinner banquet, and commemorative shirt!
Fee:
Up to March 31, 2026: $2,150 CAD
Beginning April 1, 2026: $2,400 CAD
Your participation is confirmed only after payment is received. To secure your spot immediately, please register using a credit card.
Cancellation Policy:
Up to March 31, 2026: Receive a 100% refund, minus a $100 administration fee.
From April 1 to April 30, 2026: Receive a 50% refund.
After May 1, 2026: No refunds will be issued.
Registrations are transferrable to another person.
Organizing Committee:
Hatem Zurob, McMaster University
Derek Gray, (Chair), Stelco
Christopher DiGiovanni (Secretary), McMaster University
Neslihan Dogan, McMaster University / Delft University
John D’Alessio, Stelco
Jason Entwistle, U.S. Steel Corporation
Samantha Kandilas, McMaster University
Joe Poveromo, Raw Materials & Ironmaking
Husain Tapia, ArcelorMittal Dofasco
Ron Timmer, Algoma Steel Inc.
Jan van der Stel, Tata Steel
Keith Whitely, ArcelorMittal Dofasco
Donald Zuke, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.
Lectures – Sunday, May 10 – Friday, May 15
An optional Introduction to Ironmaking lecture will be presented on Sunday evening. The main lecture program will feature full days of lectures from Monday to Thursday, followed by a half day of lectures on Friday. Throughout the week, participants will engage in case studies, working in teams to analyze real-world operating and process data.
Welcome Reception – Sunday, May 10
A Welcome Reception will be held from 7:00 – 9:00 pm at the University Club of McMaster. This event offers a wonderful opportunity for registrants to meet and mingle with lecturers, members of the Organizing Committee, and fellow participants. We look forward to seeing you there!
Blast Furnace Computer Game – Monday, May 11, Tuesday, May 12, and Wednesday, May 13
The computer game will be held on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings. This is an excellent opportunity to meet and interact with colleagues from all over the world. Delegates have found this to be the highlight of the course. Each group will have a chance to compete to be the lowest hot metal cost producer in the hot metal production competition by using the lecturer information from the course! The game helps the students understand the principles of ironmaking and hot metal quality.
Banquet – Thursday, May 14
Enjoy delicious food and a spectacular view of the ArcelorMittal and Stelco plants across Lake Ontario at the Burlington Golf and Country Club. During the event, we will announce the winners of the Blast Furnace game. Please note that business casual attire is required (no blue jeans).
Optional Plant Tour – Friday, May 15 afternoon
Each tour is limited to the first 40 registrants and only one tour can be selected, as they are offered simultaneously.
- ArcelorMittal Dofasco – Driving tour
- Stelco Hamilton Works – Walking tour
Course Books
An electronic copy of the lectures will be provided. A printed version is available for a fee.
All lectures (except Wednesday afternoon) will be held in the Michael DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery, Room 1110. The course registration desk will be located next to it.
The Blast Furnace Game and Wednesday afternoon lectures will be held in the McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC), 3rd floor CIBC Hall.
- Introduction to Ironmaking – TBC, US Steel Corporation
- Historical Development and Principles of the Iron Blast Furnace – TBC
- Fundamental Principles Applied to Blast Furnace Safety – Shawn Tilbury, ArcelorMittal Dofasco
- Transitioning the Iron and Steel Industry Towards a Low-Carbon Future: Climate Change Policies and Approaches – Katie Chan, Stelco
- Blast Furnace Reactions – Leili Tafaghodi, McMaster University
- Blast Furnace Energy Balance and Recovery: Rules of Thumb – John Busser and Mitren Sukhram, Hatch
- Blast Furnace Design I – Brian Black, SMS group Americas
- Blast Furnace Design II – Guilherme Guidugli, Primetals Technologies USA LLC
- Blast Furnace Design III – Campaign Extension, Salustiano Pinto, Consultant
- Iron-Bearing Burden Materials – Renard Chaigneau, Baffinland Iron Mines Corp.
- Coke Production for Blast Furnace lronmaking – Ka Wing Ng, NRCAN
- Burden Distribution and Aerodynamics – Joseph Morey, Consultant
- Day-to-Day Blast Furnace Operation – Jason Entwistle, US Steel Corporation
- Challenging Blast Furnace Operations – Fred Rorick, Rorick Inc.
- Blast Furnace Control – Measurement Data and Strategy, Bob Nightingale (Retiree), University of Wollongong and Bluescope Steel
- Fuel Injection in the Blast Furnace – Donald Zuke, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.
- Maintenance Reliability Strategies in an Ironmaking Facility – Johan van Ikelen, van Ikelen BF consult
- Ironmaking/Steelmaking Interface – Mike Pomeroy, ArcelorMittal Dofasco
- Comprehensive Numerical Modeling of the Blast Furnace Ironmaking Process – Samuel Neilson, Purdue University Northwest
- Ironmaking Refractories – Floris van Laar, Allied Mineral Technical Services, Inc.
- Overview of the DRI Process – Kevin Persad, Nucor Steel Louisiana
- lronmaking in Western Europe – Jan van der Stel, Tata Steel
- Chinese Blast Furnace Practice – Dennis Lu, ArcelorMittal Global Research & Development
- Japanese Ironmaking – Koji Saito, Nippon Steel Corporation
- Future Trends in lronmaking – Mitren Sukhram and Ian Cameron, Hatch
Presented by John Busser and Mitren Sukhram, Hatch
The computer game will be held on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings. This is an excellent opportunity to meet and interact with colleagues from all over the world. Delegates have found this to be the highlight of the course. Each group will have a chance to compete to be the lowest hot metal cost producer in the hot metal production competition by using the lecturer information from the course! The game helps the students understand the principles of ironmaking and hot metal quality.
Presented by Sean Crawford, ArcelorMittal Dofasco
The case study exercise is a way to combine the information learned during the course and to put yourself in the position of a Blast Furnace Team member. You will work in a group of 4-5 participants (=fellow Team members), divided randomly, to produce a feasible solution, exactly as you would in a real Blast Furnace Chilled Hearth situation. The Blast Furnace Case Study will include the following tasks: investigation of the situation, understanding of the information provided, identifying the cause of the out-of-control event, and identifying control strategies to manage the blast furnace process. The case study is based on a real process situation, and we will look in detail at raw materials quality, furnace equipment condition, tuyere/process parameters and casting practice to come up with final recommendations. In the end, you will be left with words of wisdom that will help you through your future struggles in the real blast furnace world.
It will be an engaging but intense week of training, with early-morning starts and late-evening finishes. Therefore, we encourage you to stay on or close to campus.
Off-Campus Accommodations:
We have a room block at the Visitors Inn. The special group rate (McMaster Blast Furnace) for one or two people per room (with one king or two queen size beds) is $139.00 per night plus taxes. These rates include free parking, and Wi-Fi, and unlimited use of their facilities. The beautiful indoor pool is open all year round, and an exercise room for guests to enjoy. The group booking will be held until April 10, 2026. Any rooms that have not been reserved by then will be automatically released.
To confirm your reservation please call: Toll Free Reservations: 1-800-387-4620
On-Campus Accommodations:
We have a room block on campus in our Les Prince Hall residence. Benefits include affordable nightly rates and common areas for socializing with fellow attendees.
The single room rate is $110/night + 13% tax. Guests can opt for a double room (two beds) at the same rate, but please note it is designed for single occupancy, with only one bed prepared.
To reserve your accommodation, please visit the registration portal to log in as a guest.
Select GENERAL REGISTRATION and enter your group code BLAST2026 to view and reserve accommodation.
All conference and event reservations are prepaid and non-refundable.
Changes to existing reservations are subject to a $25 administrative fee. In exceptional cases where a refund is approved, this fee will also apply.
To request a change, please contact reserve@mcmaster.ca at least 48 hours prior to arrival. Requests received within 48 hours of arrival may incur additional charges equivalent to one night’s stay plus applicable taxes, in addition to the administrative fee.
Once payment is made, please take a screenshot or print the final confirmation page with your transaction details, as this will serve as your official receipt. These details are not automatically emailed.
For specific questions about accommodation, please contact reserve@mcmaster.ca.
Each tour is limited to the first 40 registrants and only one tour can be selected, as they are offered simultaneously. $50.
There are several options for parking on campus, with different rates and payment methods. Visit the McMaster Parking website for more details.
There are gated lots close to the Michael DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery (MDCL), where the lectures take place: Lots A, B, C and L.R. Wilson Underground. The weekday daily rate is $20 or $8 after 4:00 pm. Daily rate on weekends is $8.
Special event lots, a bit further from the building, are available at a discounted rate and require registration and payment through the Honk Mobile app:
Conference and Event Parking: Lots G & H – $12 per day
McMaster Parking Services uses Honk Mobile’s convenient mobile app for parking registration.
Parking for guests is available in LOT G and H. Rates are $8/day on weekends, and $12/day on weekdays May to August.
To facilitate your arrival on campus we recommend downloading the app and setting up your account prior to parking on campus.
HONK is available for download in the App Store, Google Play, or honkmobile.com.
Registering Your Vehicle Using Honk Mobile:
Click ‘Pay ($total) and Park’ to complete payment and officially register your vehicle.
Important Notes: Registering your vehicle with HONK does not reserve a specific parking space in lot G or H. Registration grants authorization to park in any available spot within these lots.
Other parking lots on campus within proximity to PGCLL and Les Prince include Stadium Underground and Lot E. Please note these lots operate at the prevailing McMaster Parking rates and not the discounted daily conference rate, and that all McMaster parking lots are subject to availability at time of arrival.
Unregistered vehicles will be ticketed at the owner’s expense.
Park on campus in Lot G, or H. Please see this interactive map of the McMaster campus.
Open the Honk app and click the Zone ID tile in the top left corner of the app and type in 4922.
You can also text 75498 with your zone # of 4922, or Register Here.
Please ensure you are using zone ID (# to be updated) to access the discounted summer parking rates.
Click on the words ‘Start Time’ to access the drop-down menu of options (‘Park now’, ‘Select a start time’, or ‘Set a duration’). Choosing ‘Set a duration’ allows you to register a specific end date/time; it is important that your ‘end time’ matches the date/time you will leave campus.
Click the blue ‘Book spot for $(total)’ button.
Confirm your license plate number is correct.
Select your payment option or add a new card.