Location: Toronto, ON
Language: English, Arabic

Hassan is a current undergraduate student at the University of Toronto studying Mineral Engineering, with over a year of hands-on experience in the mining industry. His passion for mining stems from a deep appreciation for the sector’s role in driving global development and sustainability. Through his academic journey and industry exposure, he has developed a strong interest in the technological advancements and operational efficiencies shaping the future of mining. He also serves as the Student Program Co-Chair for the 2025 CIM Connect Convention, where he plays a key role in enhancing student-industry collaboration. He is committed to promoting awareness of career opportunities in mining and inspiring the next generation of professionals to explore the industry. By sharing insights, experiences and the exciting innovations transforming the field, he aims to bridge the gap between students and the mining sector.

Topics of Expertise
– Mineral Exploration
– Community Relations
– Mining Engineering
– Students in Mining
– BIPOC in Mining

Location: Sudbury, Ontario
Language: English

Kwaku Owusu-Ansah is a geologist with over 14 years of experience across West and Central Africa. His expertise spans various aspects of the mineral resource development cycle, from greenfield exploration to GIS and geological database management, geological modeling, and mineral resource estimation. He is pursuing a master’s degree in geology (Applied mineral exploration) at Laurentian University, and he is also enrolled in the Mineral Resources Industry Leadership Certificate (MRILC) Program at the Goodman School of Mines.

Currently employed with GeologicAI, which redefines geological and mining decision-making with advanced core scanning technology and AI-powered analytical and modeling solutions.

Kwaku also volunteers as Vice Chair with Modern Mining & Technology Sudbury (MMTS) where he has collaborated with Mining Matters to deliver virtual workshops to Grade 4 classes in Sudbury.

Topics of Expertise
– Mineral Exploration
– Immigrants in Mining

Location: Toronto, Ontario
Language: English

Hannan Shahid is a mining engineering professional with both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree, recognized for academic excellence by the dean. Certified in WHMIS, CSTS and Industrial Safety Leadership, he prioritizes health and safety in all operations. His commitment to continuous learning and community involvement, through volunteering with industry-leading organizations such as MiHR, PDAC and CIM showcases his dedication to the industry’s progress. With a passion for sustainable and responsible mining practices, he brings a multidisciplinary approach and a lifelong learning mindset, aiming to contribute positively to an organization and the future of mining.

Topics of Expertise
– Community Relations
– Mining Engineering
– Health and Safety

Location: Whitehorse, Yukon Territory
Language: English

Ms. Lauren Blackburn graduated from the University of Alberta in 2006 with a BSc. Specialization – Geology. She has 18 years of mineral exploration and development experience in North America working with the Yukon Geological Survey, geoscience consultants and junior mining companies in Yukon, Nunavut, BC, Colorado, and Mexico. Her primary concentration has been in Yukon, where she resides and has garnered a dynamic skill set that includes expertise in the developing acquisitions into resource-defined projects including working as the Technical Lead on greenfield projects. Through strategic development, and effective lands-access-regulatory management, Lauren has helped numerous companies in building their core projects into NI 43-101 mineral resources. Her focus has shifted in recent years towards the regulatory process including Territorial-Federal policy and legislation review and implementing sustainability, stewardship, and cultural awareness pieces. More recently, Ms. Blackburn’s work focus has been on building relationships and increasing community capacity through long-term mine-training initiatives and education. Lauren sees the importance mentoring youth to teach them the importance of mining to provide a sustainable green economy for our Nation’s future. Lauren joined MiHR in 2023 with hopes to learn from peers to be better at supporting youth and communities who want to learn more about the importance of mining.

Topics of Expertise
– Mineral Exploration
– Community Relations
– Indigenous Relations
– Women in Mining

Location: Campbell River, BC
Language: English

Cheryl started her mining career in 1997 in the mill. Many years in the industry gave her independence, confidence and from there, she started building up her leadership skills. She is an inspired advocate for safety in the mining industry, she has taken many courses to help promote safety, going out of her way to further her knowledge in her spare time. Her favourite safety topic and a slogan she lives by- “If you don’t know, don’t go, STOP and go ask your supervisor.” Receiving all the years of training/education in the mining industry, Cheryl says, “they are very valuable and transferable so I was able to use many skills learned in my home life as well.” Cheryl is extremely grateful for the many life changing friendships she formed in the mining industry. She is also a facilitator/trainer of MiHR’s Common Competency standard.

Topics of Expertise

– Processing Plant Labourer
– Warehouse Bits and Steel Control
– Surface Equipment Operator
– Shaft Attendant (Cage/Skip Tender)
– Underground Mining (Remote Scoop Operator)
– Hoist Operator
– Courageous Leadership/Courageous Selfcare

Location: Sudbury, ON
Language: English

With over two decades of unwavering dedication and expertise in the mining industry, Jenn has emerged as a prominent figure, renowned for their visionary leadership, strategic acumen, and transformative contributions to the field. She developed an early fascination with mining and electricity, which evolved into a passion as they pursued a degree in Electronics Engineering Technician and Electrical Engineering Technology where they honed their understanding of electricity processes in mining operations. Jenn is also a licensed master electrician and data scientist. Recognizing the importance of nurturing the next generation, Jenn took on the role of mentor and advocate. She championed educational initiatives, forging partnerships between academia and industry to bridge the skills gap. Through workshops, seminars, and guest lectures, they inspired aspiring professionals to view mining as a field of innovation and sustainability. She has presented at conferences such as Smart Mining 2.0 and continues to speak at and promote skilled trades at many local Northern Ontario events and groups such as College Boreal and Dynamic Earth. Today, Jenn continues to inspire and guide, sharing her experiences and wisdom to shape the future of mining.

Topics of Expertise

– Workplace Electrical Safety

Location: Vancouver, BC
Language: English

Natalie is a Professional Geologist with 10 years’ experience working in the mineral resource sector throughout Canada. Her comprehensive understanding of all facets of the mining industry from exploration through to production can be seen from her involvement in roles ranging from technical to management, business development, and sustainability. Natalie has lived and worked in remote mining communities and is passionate about advancing projects with sustainability and diversity at the forefront. Natalie is currently working with Galore Creek Mining Corporation where she is the Senior Lead, Social Responsibility.

Topics of Expertise

– Mineral Exploration
– Community Relations
– Indigenous Relations
– Sustainability
– Exploration Management
– Resource Modelling
– Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
– Women in Mining
– Immigrants in Mining

Location: Washington DC, USA
Language: English

Tony is trained as a geologist currently based in Washington DC. He has over 25 years experience across different commodities in the resource industry. Tony currently leads Wood Mackenzie’s global metals and mining emissions research. He is passionate about changing views on the image and importance of the mining industry as well as educating people how our society functions because of mining and metals.

Topics of Expertise

– Mine Operations
– Community Relations
– Indigenous Relations
– Mining Engineering
– Commodity Markets
– Emissions
– Corporate/Project Development
– Stakeholder Engagement

Location: Sudbury
Language: English

Jennifer Mailloux is a Project Controls professional at Stuart Olson which showcases her expertise in managing and optimizing project schedules, costs, and resources within the mining and construction sector. She is also the President of Sudbury’s Women in Mining Chapter which aims to Educate, Elevate and Empower women. Jennifer is committed to improving the mining industry by fostering diversity, promoting inclusion, and creating a supportive environment for all professionals, especially women.

Topics of Expertise

– Mining Administration
– Women in Mining

Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Language: English

Edison is a Filipino mining engineer based in Australia. He has over 5 years of mining experience in underground mine planning, drilling and blasting. He writes for the Philippine Resources Journal where he shares his views on key issues surrounding the mining industry.

Topics of Expertise

– Mining Engineering
– Careers in Mining
– Immigrant in Mining
– Mine Planning

Location: Inverness, NS
Languages: English, French

Eric has over 33 years of experience as an Environmental, Health and Safety Professional. He is committed to continuous learning and self-improvement, seeking to improve skills for the Canadian mining Industry.

Topic of Expertise

– Mine Construction

Location: Saskatoon, SK
Languages: English

Glenn Lafleur is the Community Relations Liaison, Sr. for SSR Mining – Seabee. He is of Metis descent. He has extensive experience in Education and Training Programming in the Mining Industry.

Topics of Expertise

– Community Relations
– Indigenous Relations
– Gender Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
– Environmental Stewardship
– Employment and Training

Location: Calgary, AB
Languages: English

Laura is the Outreach Coordinator for Careers in Energy and has an extensive background in equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI).

As a registered social worker with over 15 years’ experience in the non-profit and private sectors, Laura has held a variety of leadership roles focused on training and employment services.

She has worked extensively with immigrants, Indigenous peoples and various vulnerable populations providing a variety of workshops, webinars and presentations on career change, resumes, transferable skills and soft skills.

Topics of expertise

– Training
– Employment Services
– Community Relations

Location: Ottawa, ON
Languages: English

Ashley is a geologist whose been lucky enough to have people pay him to travel the world and work on see different rocks and ore deposits. He now finds himself in Ottawa having recently immigrated to Canada and loving his new job exploring for minerals in Canada’s North.

Topics of expertise

– Mineral Exploration
– Immigrants in Mining

Location: Southern BC
Languages: English

Everyone has a passion – Dale’s passion is Mining and it’s in his DNA as his grandfather was an underground coal miner in the 40’s. On a global scale, the minerals, metals, and materials we extract, and process are critical building blocks for the very foundation of today’s modern world-and Mining does it Safely! Having over 35 years experience in the Mining Industry in Western Canada, both as a Supplier and a Customer, Dale has held multiple roles within the industry. His goal is to share his knowledge and passion to promote Mining as a safe, secure career.

Topics of expertise

– Human Resources
– Equipment Maintenance

Location: Vancouver
Languages: English

Emma is a Master of Engineering Student in Mining Engineering at UBC. She was introduced to mining while working throughout British Columbia during her undergraduate degree in Materials Engineering at UBC, and has found a passion for closure and remediation of mining projects.

Emma is a recipient of MiHR’s 2022 I Chose Mining. Mining Chose Me. Scholarship.

Topics of expertise

– Mineral Processing
– Community Relations
– Indigenous Relations
– Mining Engineering
– Environmental stewardship
– Women in Mining

Location: Timmins
Languages: English, French

Andreas is a mining engineering entrepreneur based in Timmins, Ontario. He has run the gamut from heli-prospecting in Northern Ontario and the Yukon to working in some of Canada’s largest open pit mines. He loves the problem-solving, challenge-overcoming and team-building nature of mining, which is the closest feeling most people will ever get to playing in professional sports.

Topics of expertise

– Mineral Exploration
– Mining Administration
– Mining Engineering
– Entrepreneurship
– General equity, diversity and inclusion topics

Location: Montreal, Qc
Languages: English

Lisa holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Queensland, Australia. She is experienced in international recruitment and human capital management with over 10 years of comprehensive, hands-on experience across industries such as mining, civil construction, EPCM, and finance. Her key specialties are full cycle recruitment, HR Analytics together with business development, within her current position at DRA she is actively involved in gender diversity and inclusion initiatives across the AMER region.  She has dealt comprehensively with cross-cultural issues related to international recruitment and been engaged to assist in the recruitment start-up of numerous multi -billion-dollar projects in various geographical locations. Lisa has a passion for helping young professionals within the mining industry and directly mentors mining students within her position as Co-op Liaison Manager at McGill University.

Topics of expertise

– Mining Administration
– Human Resources
– Immigrant in Mining

Location: Sudbury and Ottawa, ON
Languages: English, French

Lauren is a third year chemical engineering student at the University of Ottawa. Having been born in Timmins and grown up in Sudbury, Lauren has always had the mining industry as a part of her life. For two years, she had the opportunity to deliver underground tours showcasing Sudbury’s mining history as well as modern mining technology. Lauren spent two semesters working at a nickel smelter where she gained industry experience and familiarized herself with industry-standard tools and programs. Lauren’s latest work term was in energy research where she learned about the innovative technologies being developed to support continuous improvement in the mining sector.

Topics of expertise

– Mineral Exploration
– Mineral Processing
– Mining Engineering
– Site rehabilitation/regreening
– Women in Mining

Locations: North Bay and Sudbury ON
Languages: English

Roy is a strong supporter of health and safety in Canada’s mining industry. With extensive experience acquired over a 40-year career in mine design and mine construction throughout North America and overseas, Roy is the founder and a Board member of Cementation Americas and served as president from inception in 1998 to 2018. He was also honoured to be President of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy & Petroleum (CIM) from 2019 to 2020.

Topics of expertise

– Mining Engineering
– Health and Safety
– General equity, diversity and inclusion topics

Health & Safety Manager (Dumas Mining)

Location: Ontario
Languages: English, French

John has been involved in the mining industry for over 30 years. Starting as an underground miner, he pursued many courses and extended education to reach the current point of his career. He looks to share his passion for his work and the growth that has been available to him as a result of hard work and interaction with diverse cultures.

Topics of expertise

– Mining Administration
– Human Resources
– Community Relations
– Indigenous Relations
– Mining Engineering
– Cultural Diversity
– Mining Operations

Location: Peterborough, ON
Languages: English

Peggy is a senior leader in the mining sector, having built a career through non-traditional pathways.  She has worked in marketing, sales and strategic leadership to develop services across the project lifecycle.  In the next phase of her career, Peggy will focus on increasing diversity, equity and inclusion for mining and exploration organizations, helping them reach their full potential.

Topics of expertise

– Mineral Processing
– Laboratory Analysis
– Human Resources
– Community Relations
– Women in mining
– Sustainability
– Diversity, equity and inclusion

Location: Toronto, ON
Languages: English

Antoine is a geologist working as a consultant in the mining industry. His work involves looking at rocks, either though a computer screen from his office in Toronto or directly on mine sites and remote locations all over the world. Observations on rocks can help find new mineral deposits or support the development and exploitation of existing resources.

Topics of expertise

– Mineral Exploration
– Immigrants in Mining

Location: Toronto, ON
Languages: English, Farsi

Fatemeh is a materials science and engineering researcher. She seeks to share her interest and passion in metallurgy with young potential students and has a passion for Canada’s mining industry and the people it needs for its workforce.

Topics of expertise

– Mineral Processing
– Laboratory Analysis
– Metallurgy and materials science
– Women in Mining

Locations: Montreal, Toronto, Sudbury, Vancouver, Calgary
Languages: English, French, Turkish

Alp is the Principal Advisor at Bora Consulting, boutique consulting firm specialized in operational excellence in mining & metals. As a mining & metals expert, Alp Bora is passionate about making mining greener, more sustainable, and more attractive for new generations. He is creating a movement to increase awareness of the importance of mining & metals in our day-to-day life -and in the electrification of tomorrows economy. Author of “Mining is the Future”, Alp talks about mining, sustainability, and corporate culture.

Topics of expertise

– Mineral Processing
– Human Resources
– Mining Engineering
– Asset Management
– Maintenance and Reliability
– Workforce engagement
– Sustainability and Circular Economy

Location: Saskatoon, SK
Languages: English

Jason has over 15 years of innovative experience in the mining industry through roles as a tradesperson, engineer, project manager, program manager, leader and mentor. He is passionate, optimistic and grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the world working with people and technology to fuel a sustainable future.

Topics of expertise

– Project Management
– Capital Management
– Electrical Engineering
– Information Technology
– Health and Safety
– Procurement
– Hoists and Shafts
– Data and Analytics
– Leadership/Management
– Finance and Strategy
– General equity, diversity and inclusion topics

Location: Quebec, QC
Languages: English, French

Currently Senior Geologist in charge of regional exploration for Doré Copper Mining, Youssouf has over five years experience in mineral exploration and over three years teaching experience in CEGEPs. He is excited by mining industry challenges related to multidisciplinary approaches to successful exploration projects.

Topics of expertise

– Mineral Exploration
– Mining Administration
– Immigrant in Mining

Location: Montreal, QC
Languages: English, French, Spanish

Mélanie is an open pit mine planner with DRA Global, where she works on various studies for new and expanding mining projects around the world. She holds a B.Eng. in Mining Engineering from McGill University as well as an M.Eng. from McGill University, focusing on integrating mine-to-port transportation into the simultaneous stochastic optimization of open-pit mining complexes. She likes to give back to the community as much as possible and is a former Executive of Young Mining Professionals (YMP) Toronto and YMP Scholarships, and was a volunteer for Women in Mining Canada for four years prior to joining the Board, where she now serves as Vice Chair.

Topics of expertise

– Mining Engineering
– Diversity and Inclusion

Location: Sudbury, ON
Languages: English

James is a Geological Engineer intern at Vale Base Metals. He has a Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering, specializing in Mining Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan. He aspires to help mining companies achieve their goals with innovative ideas and operational excellence. James looks forward to having more site experience, observing and rethinking the mining process. Eventually, he strives to explore the meaning of mining.  

James is a recipient of Her late Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Pin. He was awarded The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (Saskatchewan) in 2023. He also won third place in the 2021 Canadian Mining Games’ Operational Excellence category and is a beneficiary of MiHR’s 2021 “I Chose Mining. Mining Chose Me.” Scholarship.  

As a former refugee, James holds a solid commitment to diversity and inclusion. He is enthusiastic about helping newcomers and Indigenous youth from diverse backgrounds enter the mining industry as a Career Ambassador. 

Topics of expertise

– Mining Administration
– Human Resources
– Community Relations
– Indigenous Relations
– Mining Engineering
– Immigrant in Mining

Location: Vancouver, BC
Languages: English

Tommy is an experienced mining professional who is excited about Canada’s role in a sustainable future through responsible mining. He has held a variety of operations and technical roles across Canada and is passionate about sharing the many opportunities and benefits of the mining industry with the next generation.

Tommy is a Professional Engineer registered with the Engineers and Geoscientists of BC

Topics of expertise

– Mining Technology
– Mining Feasibility
– Mineral Exploration
– Mining Engineering
– BIPOC in Mining
– Immigrant in Mining