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.
Previously, he served as Chairman of the Mining Association of Canada.
“Graduates of this new MBA mining specialization will see incredible opportunities in the global mining sector due to the looming shortage of knowledge workers,” said Mr. Ross. “Businesses that support the mining industry, such as financial institutions, engineering companies, consultants and accounting and legal firms, will also a strong interest in recruiting our graduates.”
Mr. Ross is well prepared to help students in the program gain hands-on practical exposure to the sector and participate in industry activities. He is working hard to share his international experience in executive offices and boardrooms of companies in the minerals field with his students along with his knowledge of mining operations.
“It’s a very challenging time in the history of the mining sector due to the increasingly complex social, environmental and political climates worldwide,” added Mr. Ross. “A large focus of this specialization is to teach future managers and leaders the critical role they can play as responsible stewards of the world’s resources.”
Canada’s mining sector is one of the largest in the world and it is a global leader in all aspects of the industry. There are about 1,627 mining companies listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the TSX Venture Exchange. Canadian listed mining enterprises account for 58% of the world’s mining companies and 80% of global mining equity financings have been done on the TSE and TSX. The mining MBA was announced at the TSE.