< Previouswww.canadianminingmagazine.com 11 INDUSTR Y GREETINGS WHEN AN ORGANIZATION IS turning 100 years old, there is a temptation to reminisce about the past. Instead, we are looking ahead to the future. As we get ready to celebrate our centennial as Ontario’s mining association, we are immeasurably proud of how far we have come as an industry, as a community and as individuals, and we are excited about what comes next. This is why the Ontario Mining Association Board of Directors saw 2020, and the period leading up to it, as a perfect opportunity take a fresh look at the role of mining in our lives and in our province. What are the elements that make up our industry? Is it the exploration and drilling, and the unearthing of essential minerals and metals? Or is there more to be uncovered when one looks beneath the surface? We are inviting Canadians – particularly the millennial generation – to join us in discovering everything mining in Ontario has become and all it has to offer. The OMA’s centennial campaign, #ThisIsMining, aims to surprise and inspire, motivating people to form opinions about our industry based on curiosity, discovery, and engagement. There are many potential answers to the question, “What is mining?” but to us mining is all of it: today’s technology; inclusiveness and diversity; care for our planet; a life of adventure; a legacy of community building in Ontario. This a pivotal point in time for our industry. How we mine is changing thanks to new technologies, our unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation, and our vast reserves of accumulated experience and diverse talent. Ontario miners and suppliers are driving the evolution of the industry, with companies worldwide looking to us for solutions related to mine planning and construction, ventilation, electrification, tailings management, closure, and other aspects of operations. At the same time, demand for certain minerals is on the rise as people strive for a cleaner, greener world by producing everything from electric vehicles and solar energy to advanced computing and disruptive technologies. Ontario can supply the world with THIS IS MINING Aims to Inspire and Engage Chris Hodgson OMA President Fashion designer Lesley Hampton’s mining-inspired Copper Dress was debuted to the world at Toronto Fashion Week in 2019. A Message from the Ontario Mining Associationwww.canadianminingmagazine.com 13 the elements it needs to construct a better future. Moreover, we can do this responsibly, building on our world-class safety record, accomplishments in environmental protection, and commitment to communities. So, far from being a nostalgic centenarian, we have exciting, forward-looking stories to share. What makes #ThisIsMining particularly enthralling are the individuals who are joining us to tell these stories, bringing the campaign themes to life. Our mining ambassadors showcasing inclusion include the head chef at a fly-in fly-out operation in northwestern Ontario, who cooks locally-sourced, home-style food inspired by his Lac Seul First Nations heritage for 500 people each day. Thanks to #ThisIsMining, visitors to the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) got to sample Marcel Boucher’s modern twist on bannock, a traditional Indigenous bread. The residents of Kirkland Lake can always enjoy food prepared by the The Vault, run by a local mining family turned restauranteurs, who take great pride in serving farm-to- table cuisine. Another #ThisIsMining ambassador is a Toronto-based fashion designer, whose father’s global career in mining shaped her approach to diversity and inclusion, informing her design philosophy. Lesley Hampton is the creator of an extraordinary mining-inspired copper dress that debuted to great acclaim at Toronto Fashion Week in September 2019. Our adventure ambassadors feature a production geologist, who loves the outdoors – fishing, boating, hiking, snowshoeing, and 4-wheeling. She also loves her career, which takes her 5,000 feet underground – that’s almost three CN Towers deep under the earth – to chase veins of gold. There is also an environmental superintendent, who is passionate about her community, an exploration geologist who ventures into the bush around Red Lake in search of discovery, and a drilling and blasting engineer who travels the world. Their stories are resonating with people who want an adventurous career and a fulfilling lifestyle. We are hoping that they will cause a stir when shown during the Ontario Hockey League 2019-2020 season, with the players getting involved in talking about the impact mining has on their game and career trajectories. Getting Ontarians to think differently and embrace all that our industry has to offer is the ultimate goal of #ThisIsMining. As we uncover more themes and add more voices, we hope that a vibrant and unexpected narrative will emerge. Help us tell this story that belongs to all Ontarians. M Chris Hodgson President Ontario Mining Association CANADIAN MINING MAGAZINE IS EXCITED TO HELP THE ONTARIO MINING ASSOCIATION SHARE THIS IMPRESSIVE MILESTONE WITH OUR READERS ACROSS CANADA AND AROUND THE WORLD. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON #THISISMINING VISIT WWW.OMA.ON.CA/EN/THIS-IS-MINING.ASP. The Ontario Mining Association partnered with Windigo Catering to bring “bannock dogs” to the CNE this past August 2019. From L-R: Frank McKay, President and CEO, Windigo Catering; Roger Souckey, Newmont Goldcorp; Sol Mamakwa, MPP; and Chris Hodgson, OMA President. We are inviting Ontarians – particularly the millennial generation – to join us in discovering everything mining in Ontario has become and all it has to offer. Engage with #ThisIsMining on: Twitter: www.twitter.com/this_is_mining Instagram: www.instagram.com/this_is_mining 14 Follow us on Facebook for current mining news.www.canadianminingmagazine.com 15 THE CANADIAN MINING GAMES is more than just a friendly competition. For the past 30 years, the Games has prepared students for their career in mining, keeping them up to date with the latest trends and creating opportunities to network among potential future employers and colleagues. The Games is a chance for students from across the country to get together once a year, and past participants say it’s one of the most anticipated events for students and sponsors. “I meet new engineers all the time and within five minutes we are always comparing Mining Games stories,” says Pierre Lauzier, an underground supervisor at Eleonore Mine for Goldcorp. “The Games also provide an unreal networking opportunity and I have personally gotten multiple internships and full-time job offers from contacts made at the Games.” Lauzier has participated in the Games three times and has been on the organizing committee for 2.5 years. The next Canadian Mining Games will be hosted by Dalhousie University from February 20 to 23, 2020. The annual competition brings together students from 11 mining engineering schools from across the country. Sixteen students from each school participate in nearly 30 events over four days, plus between 50 and 75 industry representatives sponsoring the event attend. McGill University and École Polytechnique hosted the inaugural Canadian Mining Games in 1991. Dalhousie University has hosted the event twice before, in 2001 and 2010. At the Games, students showcase their mining knowledge, problem solving skills, and adaptive capabilities through a variety of challenges designed by sponsors. The Games has evolved over the years to grow with the industry. This gives participants a chance to discuss, collaborate, and reflect on the many challenges facing resource development and how to change some of the negative public perceptions and stereotypes that linger from a bygone era. In recent years, the focus of events has shifted to innovation, environmental effects, and social impacts. Highlighting soft skills, such as crisis management, health and safety, sustainable development, and mineral economics allow the industry to stay up to date on issues that are relevant today. For example, the sustainable development challenge focuses on social license initiatives, such as Indigenous community participation, and applying the triple bottom line approach to global operations. Another event, the speech competition, has student speakers addressing key topics in the industry, sparking conversation to keep the industry moving forward. “Teams are no longer bringing students because they are big and will win the jackleg Students compete in a jackleg competition. Let the Games Begin How one national event keeps the mining industry moving forward. FEA TURE16 Follow us on Facebook for current mining news. Students problem solve during an event that requires them to design an entire mine and write a technical report. event,” Lauzier says. “Instead, we are seeing a much more diversified student base who are focusing on pushing the limits at these events.” Megan Magie, vice-chair of logistics for the Canadian Mining Games, agrees. She says today’s mining industry has a more diverse workforce, and the Games reflects that. “I don’t think today’s Mining Games is at all a representation of what the mining industry used to be like. It’s important to move forward to bring forward the current industry challenges into the competitions,” she says. “We want to embrace the history of the mining aspect but at the same time to relate it to the current situation of mining and of the future.” One stand-out event is the mine design competition, which both Lauzier and Magie say is one of their favourite, yet most challenging, events. It draws on everything students have learned throughout their schooling – students have eight hours to design an entire mine based on the provided ore body and to write a technical report, including an economic analysis, based on their mine plan. Other events include survey, mine rescue, and jackleg, all of which Lauzier, a third- generation miner, feels a connection to. “I grew up hearing stories of my grandfather drilling rounds underground with a jackleg and his old mine rescue stories,” he says. “I was always more drawn to these events and had good mentors to teach me tricks for these events.” The sponsors design each individual events, which keeps the competition relevant to the company’s operational risks, challenges, and focus areas. Lauzier says each year the sponsors make the events more challenging, pushing students to be creative and think outside the box. This lets students problem solve real-life mining challenges in practice, rather than being exposed to similar issues for the first time while working in the industry. The students aren’t the only ones to gain something from the events. Since sponsors typically base the events on a current problem the company is facing, the company can hear more ideas and a fresh take on how to tackle the problem. “We like to say the top mining talent from across the country come together at this one event,” says Magie. “Sponsors can meet students casually, but it’s also a great way to search for fresh ideas within the students’ minds.” Magie is a recent graduate from the mining engineering program at Dalhousie University. www.canadianminingmagazine.com 17 She participated in the Games in 2018 in Kingston, Ontario, and in 2019 in Edmonton, Alberta. This is her first year organizing the Games. Not only has she received practical industry experience through the Games – something not always possible in a university classroom – but she also credits the event for helping her get an internship. After talking to a representative from Kinross Gold Corporation during the career fair, she later applied for an internship with the company and got the position. Today, Magie works at Kinross on the Project Value Assurance team. Besides networking between sponsors and students – at the individual events, banquets, and the career fair – the Games also allow students from across the country to get to know each other. Magie says that as a mining student who attends classes every day, it can be difficult to interact with people from other mining programs, but the Canadian Mining Games allows for this interaction. “Mining is a small community, so it’s pretty likely I’ll meet them again in the future. It’s nice to meet them in a fun environment,” she says. “They’ll be going through the industry with me for the next 40 years.” Students network with potential future employers and colleagues. This interaction allows for future collaboration. For example, Magie reached out to someone from a company on the other side of the country for information to assist with a project she is working on, and she already knew this person through the Mining Games. Though the Canadian Mining Games will continue to evolve – keeping up with current tools, trends and topics – one thing will remain constant: camaraderie. “From the first time I stepped foot at my first competition, I was blown away,” Lauzier says. “Getting to know new students every year, learning new things and being able to see different ways of attacking the same problem. I think the Games are a necessity to any student undergrad.” M18 Follow us on Facebook for current mining news.www.canadianminingmagazine.com 19 FEA TURE AS WITH OTHER IMPORTANT societal issues, such as the environment and Indigenous affairs, gender diversity and inclusion is garnering greater attention in public consciousness. Related issues including opportunity discrimination, sexual harassment and assault, pay equity, and gender bias are thus becoming central themes in discussions on how to improve gender equality in all sectors of the economy. These are not easy conversations and the task of tackling such issues can be daunting; however, in order to enable true change, companies and industries as a whole must understand their unique role in contributing to the gender inequality that exists today. The mineral industry is not removed from these discussions. In fact, gender diversity and inclusion is gaining some much needed traction across the mineral exploration and mining industry. Yet, while companies are beginning to turn words into action, there is work to be done. In 2016, the mineral industry employed 630,000 individuals in Canada. Despite making up 48 per cent of the national workforce, women comprised a mere 17 per cent of workers in the industry. It goes without saying, when it comes to gender parity, the mineral industry has a long way to go. Addressing the significant lack of gender diversity within the sector requires more than programs seeking to increase the number of women in the field. In order to address the long-standing structural issues of an industry with low participation by women, a significant culture shift across the entire industry is needed. This culture shift must be holistic and include both internal and external approaches, which means in order to improve gender diversity and inclusion we must address the ways the mineral industry engages with its employees and the communities it operates within. Despite these challenges, the landscape is changing, and there is a growing appetite for improving gender diversity and inclusion within our sector. Dialogue regarding the mineral sector’s role in contributing to issues such as gender-based violence (GBV), workplace harassment, and women’s exclusion from decision making is transforming into real action. As an industry, we are showing openness to diversity and inclusion that is unprecedented. Increasingly, mineral exploration and mining companies are recognizing that the A Cultural Shift Towards Diversity and Inclusion How is the minerals industry addressing gender diversity and inclusion? By Rose Stacey, Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada The launch of Gender Diversity and Inclusion: A Guide for Explorers is an initial step on tackling the issues of diversity and inclusion. Photo courtesy of Yianni Tong.Next >