Exciting changes are underway at the Ontario Mining Association in the lead up to our centennial anniversary in 2020. At our May 29 Annual General Meeting, Peter Xavier was elected the new Chair of the association – the success of which depends on member engagement and strong leadership by the OMA Board of Directors.
Peter Xavier, who takes the helm from Duncan Middlemiss, has a proven track record of innovative leadership and commitment to the development of responsible mining in Ontario. He is Vice President of Glencore’s Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations (Sudbury INO). Sudbury INO consists of an exploration group, two underground mines, a concentrator and a smelter.
Previously, Peter was Director of Nickel Rim South Mine for Sudbury INO where he had the overall accountability for the continued delivery of operational excellence at this mine which became an operation in 2010. A graduate of Laurentian University’s Mining Engineering program, Peter’s other previous key positions prior to being appointed Mine Director were Thayer Lindsley Mine Manager and Strathcona Mill Manager.
In addition to being valuable member of the OMA Board for since 2016, Peter serves on the boards of the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI) and the Ultra Deep Mining Network (UDMN). He is also on the Board of Governors at Laurentian University. Peter is also a Warden of Camp 22 which oversees the engineering oath and iron ring ceremony. He was previously a Board member of the Canadian Institute of Mining (CIM) – Sudbury Chapter.
Peter was awarded the 2014 CIM-Bedford Canadian Young Mining Leaders award. Additionally, Peter is an alumnus of the Canada-Caribbean Emerging Leaders Dialogue (CCELD2011) and the Commonwealth Study Conference Leaders program (CSC2014), both highly prestigious leadership programs associated with The Duke of Edinburgh’s Study Conferences. Peter joined leaders from various sectors to take part in this strategic initiative aimed at tackling challenges that businesses, governments and society face today. Peter was part of the steering committee and Sudbury planning committee chair for CCELD2015.
Peter’s work will be supported by OMA’s new Vice Chair, Mike McCann, Head of Mining and Milling, North Atlantic Operations – Vale Base Metals, in addition to the exceptionally strong membership of OMA’s Board of Directors.
As a member-driven organization, the OMA relies on the work of volunteers, who serve on our governance bodies and committees. The committees provide a forum for OMA to address an array of critical issues and opportunities facing our community. They are integral to accomplishing the association’s goals and ensuring that our strategy matches members’ needs.
OMA committees are comprised of individuals who represent a cross-section of the membership, and bring diverse expertise and ideas to the table. Harnessing the collective strength of our highly engaged members is the core of our work – and nothing boosts a committee’s efforts like a knowledgeable, dedicated, constructive and focused leader. In that regard, the OMA benefits from the guidance and mentorship of exceptional committee chairs. We would like to acknowledge the work of the following individuals:
•Derek Budge, Director of Health, Safety, Environment, Redpath Mining Inc; Chair of OMA’s Mining Rules Committee and Employer co-Chair of the Mining Legislative Review Committee
•Mark Deans, Sustainability Coordinator, Newmont Goldcorp; Chair of OMA’s Environment Committee
•Donna Kirkpatrick, Superintendent – Claims, Vale; Chair of OMA’s Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Health Committee
•Marc Lauzier, Mine General Manager, Porcupine Gold Mine, Newmont Goldcorp; Chair of OMA’s Mine Managers’ Committee
•John Mullally, Regional VP, Sustainability and External Relations, Newmont Goldcorp; Chair of OMA’s Energy, Innovation & Clean Technology Committee
•Frank Pilkington, Maintenance Superintendent, Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations (Glencore); Chair of OMA’s Hoist Plant Committee
•Angie Robson, Director of Corporate Affairs & Sustainability, North Atlantic Operations & Asian Refineries, Vale; Chair of OMA’s Communications and Outreach Committee
•Roger Souckey, Director, Sustainability & HR Coffee Project, Newmont Goldcorp; Chair of OMA’s Indigenous Relations Committee
•Darren Toner, Head of Health and Safety, KGHM International; Chair of OMA’s Safety and Training Committee
Their contributions will undoubtedly inform and strengthen the leadership provided by Peter Xavier, Mike McCann and the newly appointed OMA Board. As we prepare to mark OMA’s centennial and execute the This Is Mining campaign, we are fortunate to have highly accomplished and engaged people helping us to reflect, learn, inspire, and energize the next 100 years of progress in Ontario mining.