Mining Education and Innovation – Page 31

Outlook 2012: Morrison to lead CEMI into a new era [mining research] – by Heather Campbell (Sudbury Star March 30, 2012)

March 31, 2012

The Sudbury Star is the City of Greater Sudbury’s daily newspaper.

The Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation has made a few changes to prepare for its continued growth. Peter Kaiser, founding president during the startup phase of CEMI, has passed the leadership baton to Douglas Morrison, chair of Holistic Mining Practices, who joined CEMI in 2011 as vice-president.

Kaiser will not be going very far as he will continue to lead the Rio Tinto Centre for Underground Mine Construction, a division of CEMI. During the five years of his leadership the organization more than doubled the initial investment by the Ontario government and founding partners Vale, Xstrata Nickel and Laurentian University.

CEMI directs and coordinates step-change innovation in the areas of exploration, deep mining, integrated mine engineering, environment and sustainability for the metal mining industry. This year, CEMI’s cumulative program funding exceeded the $40-million threshold.

Gold Fields says skills shortage is mining’s biggest concern – by Ed Stoddard (Mineweb.com – March 26, 2012)

March 27, 2012

www.mineweb.com

Gold Fields CEO Nick Holland says the escalating shortage of skilled workers is a major concern for executives globally as the industry presses ahead with projects in increasingly tough and remote places.

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – A worsening shortage of skilled workers is the top worry for mining executives globally as the industry presses ahead with projects in increasingly tough and remote places, the chief executive of world No. 4 gold producer Gold Fields said.

“A lot of people ask me what is my biggest concern. What keeps me awake? Having skilled people available to do the job and go to locations that ordinarily they might not be too keen to go to,” Nick Holland told the Reuters Global Mining and Metals Summit on Monday.

“That is one of the biggest challenges. We are looking to build a whole lot of mines in the future. And getting the right skills to build those mines is a challenge, not only for us, but for the various engineering companies,” he said. The Gold Fields project pipeline ranges from Ghana in West Africa to the Philippines.

Getting ready for the [Northwestern Ontario mining] boom – by Katherine Bruce (Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal – March 26, 2012)

March 26, 2012

The Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal is the daily newspaper of Northwestern Ontario.

Note: This is the third of a multi-part series looking at the mining sector of Northwestern Ontario and the Ring of Fire.
Katherine Bruce likes to blow things up.

A professor of engineering technology at Cambrian College, she described her passion for her previous work in the mining sector, especially in the underground pits, to a large group of rapt attendees at the Mining Your Future conference on Feb. 25.

Bruce is one of the post-secondary institution partners working to develop strategies and solutions for the skill and labour shortage facing the mining industry. Confederation College president Jim Madder is also working to prepare students with diverse backgrounds and interests, for both the direct and indirect jobs available in the mining sector.

“Northwestern Ontario has to change its mindset and realize that there are jobs available,” Madder said.

Confederation is committed to preparing students for those jobs and currently offers flexible upgrading programs and outreach, as well as directly applied programs such as the diamond drillers course and an eight-month mining techniques program.

OMA high school video competition So You Think You Know Mining attracts record number of entries

April 5, 2015March 21, 2012

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

The Ontario Mining Association’s high school video competition So You Think You Know Mining, which is now in its fourth year, continues to attract more entries. Momentum keeps building with dramatic increases in the level of participation of every edition. This year, more than 135 videos were received, which is approximately 70% more than the 80-plus last year.

Video entries arrived electronically from all parts of the province and students from high schools we had not seen SYTYKM entries from previously have been received for the judges’ consideration. “We try every year to keep the SYTYKM video competition fresh and interesting for students and educators,” said OMA President Chris Hodgson. “It is gratifying to see this response. We know these students invest a great deal of creativity, energy and time into making their productions.”

This year’s competition is making available opportunities to win $33,500 in prize money, an $8,000 increase of what was on the table last year. Several entries eligible for the Early Bird draw for $500 were received by March 1. Other key dates in 2012 are April 1 to 15 for the determination of nominees for the People’s Choice and OMA Academy Award, April 20 to June 3, which is the voting period for the People’s Choice Award, and May 22 when winners will be determined and notified.

LAURENTIAN UNIVERSITY NEWS RELEASE: BHARTI SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING WINS CANADIAN MINING GAMES TITLE

February 27, 2012

Laurentian Wins Mining Games for 8th Time In Games’ History

SUDBURY, ON (February 27, 2012) – Top marks in mine design, rock mechanics and mineral processing events propelled the Bharti School of Engineering team from Laurentian University to a first-place finish in the 22nd Annual Canadian Mining Games, held February 23rd-26th in Sudbury, Ontario. The team from Laurentian ranked among the top three in 12 of the events that make up the competition, completing the Games with a 27-point margin of victory. The team from Polytechnique in Montreal placed second overall, while Université de Laval took third place.

“The competition was fierce,” said Ramesh Subramanian, Director of the Bharti School of Engineering at Laurentian University. “All of the teams were exceptionally strong this year. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such an extraordinary level of proficiency and talent in this competition.”

Teams of engineering students from ten universities across Canada take part in the competition, a series of 20 challenges that test the skills of future mining engineers. Competitors must complete exercises in surveying, mine and equipment design, and mineral separation. They must also demonstrate mastery in jackleg drilling and operation of scoop trams and excavating equipment.

[Sudbury’s Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation] CEMI gets a new president – Star Staff (Sudbury Star – February 23, 2012)

February 23, 2012

The Sudbury Star is the City of Greater Sudbury’s daily newspaper.

Sudbury’s Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation has a new leader.

Douglas Morrison, a mining industry veteran, has been appointed as president and CEO of the mine research centre based at Laurentian University. He assumes his new duties March 1.

In a release, Morrison said he wants “to engage with the best scientists and engineers the academic community has to offer and engage our industrial experience to convert this knowledge into practical solutions that can be implemented as routine into mining operations.

“We also want to collaborate with as many mining research organizations as we can so we do not duplicate what has already been done, but also bring fresh minds to bear on problems that the industry has struggled with for many years, combining long years of experience with the youth and enthusiasm of today’s students for the benefit of the industry as a whole.

NEWS RELEASE: LAURENTIAN LOOKS TO RECLAIM CANADIAN MINING GAMES TITLE

February 22, 2012

National competition returns to Sudbury for first time since 2005

SUDBURY, ON (Feb. 22, 2012) – Laurentian University is proud to be hosting the 2012 Canadian Mining Games from Feb.23rd to Feb 26th, and is preparing to welcome teams from across the country for this prestigious national competition.

“There’s a lot of bragging rights that go with the Canadian Mining Games,” said Dr. Ramesh Subramanian, Director of Laurentian University’s Bharti School of Engineering. “Our guys and girls are really pumped about taking back the title they feel rightfully belongs here at Laurentian.”

A series of events and challenges designed to test and sharpen the skills of engineering students in all aspects of mining, the Games have been held annually since 1991. Typically, each of the 10 participating universities sends a team of 12 students to compete. Laurentian University’s team has won the title more often than any other university (7 times in the 21-year history of the Games).

NEWS RELEASE: New President for [Sudbury’s] CEMI [Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation]

May 7, 2013February 22, 2012

For Immediate Release

Sudbury, ON – On February 8, 2012, the Board of Directors of the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI) announced the appointment of Mr. Douglas Morrison, Chair of Holistic Mining Practices, as President and CEO of the Corporation effective March 1, 2012. Douglas Morrison brings expertise from a long career in mining, starting at Falconbridge Ltd., then at Inco Ltd. and most recently as Global Mining Leader at Golder Associates.

Since joining CEMI in 2011, he has served as Vice President and now succeeds Dr. Peter K. Kaiser who, after leading CEMI for five years, will focus on his role as Director of the Rio Tinto Centre for Underground Mine Construction, a Division of CEMI. He will also assume an advisory role as Vice President Research at CEMI and resume his research at Laurentian University as Chair for Rock Mechanics and Ground Control.

Sam Marcuson, Vice President of Vale Canada for Base Metals Technology Development and Chairman of the CEMI Board of Directors, welcomes mining veteran, Douglas Morrison, to the role of President and CEO. “With his extensive experience in the Canadian mining industry and more than 15 years in international consulting, he brings a broad understanding of the issues that confront the global mining industry now and into the future.

Autonomous and Remote Operation Technologies in the [Australian] Mining Industry: Benefits and Costs – by Brian S. Fisher and Sabine Schnittger (BAEconomics – February 2012)

February 5, 2012

BAEconomics has extensive experience across the energy, minerals, infrastructure, agriculture and natural resources sectors.BAEconomics’ background is broad-based having extensive experience in consulting to mining and energy companies, industry associations, agribusinesses, food retailers, utilities and electricity generators, the manufacturing sector, the World Bank, United Nations bodies and Australian Federal and State government agencies. They have served on government committees and boards in Australia and internationally. http://www.baeconomics.com.au/

For the full report, click here: http://www.baeconomics.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Mining-innovation-5Feb12.pdf

Executive summary of Autonomous and Remote Operation Technologies in the [Australian] Mining Industry

Over the past decade, Australia has benefited greatly from its natural resource endowments. The sustained mining boom has contributed significantly to economic growth, investment, employment, as well as taxation and royalty payments to governments, and continues to do so. While some parts of the manufacturing sector have suffered from the appreciation of the Australian dollar, Australia’s services sector has played a key role in supporting the growth of the mining sector and has profited accordingly.

On recent Reserve Bank of Australia estimates, around half of the cost of new mining investment was spent locally on labour and other inputs. In addition, Australian residents received more than half of the earnings from the mining sector. Moreover, while mining operations are concentrated in the resource-rich states, the distribution of mining receipts has been dispersed across the country and has played a key role in keeping unemployment rates low in all states since the onset of the resources boom.

Direct support to those industries with a future [Australian mining] – by Henry Ergas (The Australian – February 06, 2012)

February 5, 2012

This opinion piece came from: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/

A MAJOR report released today by Rio Tinto shows just how foolish ACTU president Ged Kearney is to dismiss mining as merely “digging things out of the ground”.

And just how wrong-headed the Gillard government is to focus on locking resources into the industries of the past rather than freeing them for those of the future.

The report, by my former colleagues Brian Fisher, long-time head of the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics, and Sabine Schnittger examines the technological revolution in mining.

The report’s findings (available at www.baeconomics.com.au) are striking: automation is comprehensively transforming mining. Within a decade, that transformation will lead to a “mine of the future” in which myriad robotic devices, controlled from vast distances, undertake functions ranging from tunnelling to blasting, sorting and transporting ores.

LU’s engineering department receives $10-million boost – by Heidi Ulrichsen (Northern Ontario Business – Janurary 30, 2012)

January 30, 2012

Established in 1980, Northern Ontario Business provides Canadians and international investors with relevant, current and insightful editorial content and business news information about Ontario’s vibrant and resource-rich North.

‘A big league contribution’

When Stan Bharti was offered a job at Falconbridge in 1981, he had no idea where Sudbury was.The Indian immigrant had been living in Vancouver with his family, where he was working as an engineer.

Falconbridge, now owned by Xstrata, had offered him a $21,000-a-year salary, a $3,000-a-year raise from his salary in Vancouver. His co-workers regaled him with stories of “moon country,” as Sudbury was known at the time.

“My wife and I and our two kids jumped in the car and drove to Sudbury for four days,” said Bharti, who went on to live in the city for more than 15 years. When their furniture arrived at their new home, the driver wanted a $2,000 certified cheque. “The problem was, I didn’t have $2,000,” he said.

“I called the human resources department at Falconbridge, and they said they needed to see the receipt first. Finally, I called my new boss. He said, ‘I’ll lend you the money.’ That’s our beginning in Sudbury.”

Accreditation enhancing employment in mining engineering – by Lindsay Kelly (Northern Ontario Business – January 24, 2012)

January 25, 2012

[Mining] employment gateway

As one of only two accredited mining engineering technology programs offered in Canada, Cambrian College’s course of study offers students a unique opportunity to prepare for the workplace, meeting the expectations of potential employers.

The Sudbury school, whose program was first accredited by the Canadian Technology Accreditation Board in 2004, recently renewed its accreditation until 2014. Having the designation creates a benchmark to ensure the college is teaching mining fundamentals recognized by industry, Tim Jones, a Cambrian mining engineering technology professor, explained.

“From our perspective as teachers, it’s a useful second setting of what we give to the students,” he said. “It helps us to identify and make sure that we’re covering all the areas necessary for the students to have when they graduate and enter into the workplace.”

Mike Mayhew, director of global business services with Stantec’s mining division, serves as chair of Cambrian’s Mining Program Advisory Committee.

Ontario Mining Association co-sponsors high school video workshop

January 12, 2012

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

The Ontario Mining Association is joining forces with Cambrian College in Sudbury to run a video production workshop for high school students. The one-day course, which can accommodate up to 30 students, will be held on January 21, 2012 at Cambrian. This workshop, with the OMA and Cambrian as partners, is designed to promote the OMA’s “So You Think You Know Mining” video competition.

Participants will be provided with an opportunity to learn the basics of video production, use Cambrian’s modern facilities and film equipment and benefit from the experience of college staff. The workshop is being facilitated by Dan Maslakewycz from CTV.

The OMA’s “So You Think You Know Mining” high school video competition is now in its fourth year. This year $33,500 in prize money is up for grabs. The deadline for submitting two to three minute videos on any aspect of the benefits of mining is March 15, 2012. There is also a new category this year for short commercials. The SYTYKM awards gala will be held June 5, 2012 at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto.

Sudbury Community leaders share hopes for 2012 – Jobs mayor’s priority – by Laura Stradiotto (Sudbury Star – December 31, 2011)

January 2, 2012December 31, 2011

The Sudbury Star is the City of Greater Sudbury’s daily newspaper.

… mining analyst Stan Sudol would like to see the consolidation
of the province’s post-secondary mining engineering and geology programs at Laurentian University. Sudol isn’t the most popular man among University of Toronto and other academic types from southern Ontario. But the creation of an international “Harvard of hard-rock mining” in Sudbury … “By relocating mining and geology programs from Queens, in Kingston, and the University of Toronto — neither city has any mines — to Laurentian, the province would save money and further enhance Sudbury’s global expertise in mining research and education.”

Focus on the city’s strengths and think outside the box. These ideas are part of the economic blueprint for Sudbury’s growth in 2012, say community leaders.

It’s no surprise that job creation is at the top of Sudbury Mayor Marianne Matichuk’s wish list for the city in the New Year. Although she’s rooting for Cliffs Natural Resources to build a chromite processing plant here and create 400 to 500 jobs, Matichuk said it’s important to build and support the businesses already here.

“We also need to take advantage of some of our unique opportunities,” she said. “If you look at us as world leaders, you look at our environmental rehabilitation.”

Ontario Mining education takes a step forward with new MBA program

December 15, 2011

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

The art and science of leading mineral companies has taken a step forward with York University’s Schulich School of Business launching a Masters of Business Administration specializing in Global Mining Management. The program aims to develop and mentor the next generation of business leaders in the mining sector. The program will be fully available starting in September 2012.

“Canada continues to play a critical role in the global mining sector and Canadian mining companies are key players in responding to the unprecedented growth in demand for metals and minerals,” said Dezso Horvath, Dean of the Schulich School of Business. “An MBA specializing in mining is long overdue in preparing future business leaders for a key industry in Canada and around the world.”

Richard Ross, former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Inmet Mining, is the Executive-in-Residence for the program. Mr. Ross is a chartered accountant with a long and successful history in the mining sector. He was with the accounting firm Price Waterhouse earlier in his career before working for gold miner Placer Dome. He held a number of positions at Inmet from 1989 to 2009. Mr. Ross also serves on the boards of Ontario Mining Association members Osisko Mining and Cliffs Natural Resources.