Dr. Catherine Hickson, Geoscientist B.Sc., Ph.D., P.Geo.

Dr. Hickson is one of the most globally respected geologists with over 40-years of geothermal exploration, development, operations, and maintenance experience, including eleven years spent in the Lithium industry. Having spent 25-years with the Geological Survey of Canada, Dr. Hickson has played a key role in the evolution of geothermal in Canada. She graduated from the University of British Columbia with a BScHon “cum laude” in 1982 and then completed her PhD at the same institution in 1987.   

Key areas of expertise: Science management and integration, lithium exploration and development; volcanology, geothermal energy, international relations, program development, project management, corporate social responsibility, public education, community communication, exploration techniques, hazard and risk assessments, Quaternary surface processes, regional mapping.

 Internationally, Dr. Hickson has conducted greenfield exploration in eight countries, and in previous roles as VP Exploration and Chief Geoscientist, has spent significant time developing, operating and maintaining geothermal projects in around the globe. Her professional integrity, skill at management (from project management, governmental relations, diplomacy, and human resources), and contributions to advancing geoscience knowledge have gained her recognition including the prestigious C.J. Westerman Memorial Award presented by the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC (2010), and the Head of the Public Service Award (1999), given by the Clerk of the Privy Council, among other rewards. In 2015 she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Technology from the University of the Fraser Valley. 

A forte of Dr. Hickson is building high achievement multidisciplinary teams to solve problems and build value for companies. She has also worked on bringing together geothermal plant operations and Lithium extraction to create an improved value chain for both commodities.  As COO and a member of the Board for Dajin Lithium Corp (formerly Dajin Resources Corp), she was in charge of field exploration and project development for projects in Nevada, USA and Argentina.  In addition, she investigated extraction technologies and worked closely with several companies experimenting with various technologies, including reviews of pilot plant operations in Argentina.  

A field-based geologist, Dr. Hickson has significant experience working in and executing projects in high elevation, remote areas of the Andean countries.  Her experience includes indigenous relations (Argentina, Peru, Chile and Canada), regulatory reviews of brine hosted mineral and thermal energy extraction operations (Argentina, Chile, Canada (Yukon, NWT, Alberta, Saskatchewan)). As well as business negotiations to establish Joint Venture and other partnership agreements. Her work has also included ESG assessments for geothermal projects as well as green house gas benchmarking (foot printing).  She also has experience in Carbon Sequestration and has been leading research efforts on combining sequestration with geothermal brine injection to provide additional value to geothermal projects. 

Dr. Hickson is a registered geologist in Alberta, British Columbia and Nunavut and is the registered “Permit to Practice” holder for Tuya Terra Geo Corp and is a Qualified Professional for Geothermal and Lithium.

Permits to Practice:

• Engineers and Geoscientists British Colombia (EGBC)
• Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientist Alberta (APEGA)
• Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS) 
• Northwest Territories Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists (NAPEG) NWT and Nunavut