Mining Education and Innovation – Page 28

[Mining] Co-op students get a head start – by Norm Tollinsky (Sudbury Mining Solutions Journal – November 2012)

November 27, 2012

Sudbury Mining Solutions Journal is a magazine that showcases the mining expertise of North Bay, Timmins and Sudbury.

Mining engineering students graduate debt-free with 20 months of experience

A co-op program for students at Laurentian University’s Bharti School of Engineering is a win-win proposition for both participating students and the mining companies that hire them.

Fourth year mining engineering students James Gagner and Ian Berdusco, for example, will graduate debt-free in April with 20 months of work experience under their belts, making them ideal candidates for mining companies looking for engineering talent.

Approximately 50 of the 457 students enrolled in the Bharti School of Engineering are accepted into the co-op program.

They do a four-month placement following the successful completion of second year and a 16-month placement after third year, following which they return to Laurentian for the fourth and final year of the program.

It takes them one year longer to get their degree, but the money they make goes a long way toward paying their tuition while the experience they gain makes them more marketable.

School of Mines adds value to mining cluster – by Dick Destefano (Sudbury Mining Solutions Journal – November 2012)

September 7, 2018November 27, 2012

Dick DeStefano is the Executive Director of Sudbury Area Mining Supply and Service Association (SAMSSA).destefan@isys.ca This column was originally published in the November 2012 issue of Sudbury Mining Solutions Journal.

October 15, 2012 was a special day for Northern Ontario and mining. On this day, Ned Goodman, CEO of Dundee Corporation, and the Goodman Family Foundation announced an historic gift to Laurentian University’s new School of Mines.

Laurentian University president Dominic Giroux also announced that the university will name the school in honour of the Goodman family. This announcement stems from early meetings I had on behalf of SAMSSA with president Giroux in the first weeks of his appointment about three years ago.

I suggested that one of the missing components of the Northern Ontario mining cluster was a comprehensive academic centre that would add value to mining and supply and service companies regionally and gradually become a global centre of all things mining.

Many internal meetings at Laurentian and public consultations with the industry led to the October 15th announcement.

I agree with Ned Goodman’s comment at the announcement when he stated, “Greater Sudbury has the best orebody and largest concentration of expertise in mining supply, products and services in the world. We want to be associated with Laurentian University because it’s undoubtedly the go-to for university for mineral exploration and mining in Canada.”

Mining brains – by David Robinson (Sudbury Mining Solutions Journal – November 2012)

November 27, 2012

Dr. David Robinson is an economist at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Canada. His column is from Sudbury Mining Solutions Journal a magazine that showcases the mining expertise of North Bay, Timmins and Sudbury. drobinson@laurentian.ca

Question: What does the mining industry have in common with the zombie apocalypse?

Answer: Mining companies and zombies both have an insatiable appetite for brains. And who supplies the brains? That is the interesting question for the mining supply sector.

An industry that depends on increasingly sophisticated geological science, ever more complex equipment, more expensive transportation systems and more elaborate management systems while trying to meet ever more convoluted environmental and safety regulations clearly needs brains.

The muscle-power going into an ounce of gold or a kilogram of nickel has gone down. The energy input per unit output has risen, which is a growing problem. And no one knows if more brainpower is invested in an ounce of gold today than in an ounce from the Klondike gold rush 115 years ago.

Calculating a brain-to-gold index would be interesting, but it isn’t necessary. Brainpower has always been an essential input for the mining industry.

Speaking notes for the Honourable Julian Fantino Minister of International Cooperation for the Economic Club of Canada ‘Reducing Poverty – Building Tomorrow’s Markets’

November 25, 2012

November 23, 2012, Toronto, Ontario

Good morning.

It has now been a few months since Prime Minister Harper asked me to be the Minister of International Cooperation, and I am enjoying the job immensely. It is a great honour and a privilege.

As you can imagine, it has been a busy time for me and a fascinating experience seeing international development work first-hand, as Canada continues to respond to situations around the world.

In my brief experience, it is clear that Canada is respected on the world stage for the work the Canadian International Development Agency does. You may know that my previous professional life was in law enforcement, spending the latter part of my career as an executive within various police departments.

However, as the Ontario Commissioner of Emergency Management and more recently, as Associate Minister of National Defence, I have had the opportunity to see CIDA’s work with my own eyes.

On a trip to Afghanistan as Associate Minister of Defence, I saw young Afghan girls heading to school, wearing their backpacks. And it reminded me of my own grandchildren. I was impressed then, and I remain so, knowing that these girls were going to school because of the assistance Canada provided.

NEWS RELEASE: UBC, SFU to further global sustainable mining practices through $25M Institute

November 25, 2012

Media Release | Nov. 23, 2012

The University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University will lead an international coalition to help developing countries benefit from their natural resources in environmentally and socially responsible ways.

The establishment of the Canadian International Institute for Extractive Industries and Development (CIIEID), funded by a $25-million grant from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), was announced last October with an aim to sharing Canadian expertise in extractive industries. The selection of UBC and SFU to operate the Institute was announced today by the Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of International Cooperation.

In 2008 alone, exports of oil and minerals from Africa, Asia, and Central America were valued at $1-trillion. Canadian companies, many headquartered in Vancouver, B.C., dominate the world’s mineral exploration and Canada relies heavily on its resource industries.

UBC’s research and education in the extractive sector spans nearly a century, with a strong emphasis over the past decade placed on sustainable development and corporate social responsibility through its Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering. SFU’s Beedie School of Business offers Canada’s longest-standing Executive MBA program for sustainable mining, and houses the Responsible Minerals Sector Initiative, fostering global dialogue for the extractive sector.

Mining magnate emerges as major U. of Utah donor – by Brian Maffly (The Salt Lake Tribune – November 5, 2012)

November 5, 2012

http://www.sltrib.com/

Pierre Lassonde » After a career that included environmental and stockholder controversies, the Canadian gold guru is expanding entrepreneurship efforts at the U.

At his inauguration last month, new University of Utah president David Pershing highlighted gifts from the Huntsman and Noorda families, who have long-standing ties to the state. Other donor names familiar to Utahns — Eccles, Marriott, Sorenson, Skaggs and others — are emblazoned on buildings and programs throughout campus.

But it’s Canadian mining-magnate-turned-philanthropist Pierre Lassonde, far less known and with a more distant connection to Utah, who is now emerging as one of the U.’s most generous donors.

Pershing devoted the most literal “face time” to images of Lassonde during his inaugural address, hailing his “unbelievable commitment” to turning students into entrepreneurs. His latest gift will fund the proposed Lassonde Institute, which would provide housing for up to 400 students interested in adding entrepreneurship to their majors, whether or not they are focused on business.

After earning a master’s in business administration at the U. 30 years ago, Lassonde became an astute gold analyst and investor.

‘Rail-veyors’ and robots [mining innovation] – by Julie Gordon (Reuters/Sudbury Star – October 29, 2012)

October 29, 2012

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

In an office trailer parked outside a mine shaft in a Copper Cliff Mine, operator Carolyn St-Jean leans back in her chair and monitors a machine loading nickel-rich ore into rail cars deep underground.

Once filled, the automated train will snake through a series of narrow tunnels, emerge from a rocky outcropping, then loop past St-Jean’s window and dump its payload for sorting.

Vale SA, the Brazilian company that owns the mine near this nickel-rich area, has spent nearly $50 million in two years to install and test the “ra i lveyor.” The company believes the transport system will revolutionize how it builds and extracts new mineral deposits.

The equipment is made locally by Rail-Veyor Technologies Global Inc. It is one of many mining technologies developers hope will allow future production to be run almost entirely by people safely above ground.

Such advances may prove crucial as easy-to-exploit deposits run dry and miners drill deeper in more remote places to supply China, India and other emerging economies. The technology could make mining cheaper and safer, avoiding the need to dig wide tunnels and hire large numbers of expensive, skilled workers.

Death of an Industry: The Decline of Canadian Mineral Exploration – by Brent McNiven, B.Sc Geology, MBA-PM (October 2012 – Part 2 of 2)

October 25, 2012

Brent McNiven holds a B.Sc Geology from the University of Calgary, and MBA-PM from Athabasca University. Working in 12 countries in the Americas since 1993, he has been a business consultant involved in market and industry analysis, owned / operated various consulting and contracting businesses related to mineral exploration, and has extensive experience in cross cultural project management. Fluent in Spanish, he is a former resident of Peru, Venezuela, and Brazil. He can be contacted at: sedex@shaw.ca

Lowest Common Denominator:

Of interest are the results of an informal poll conducted at the PDAC 2012, where Canadian students soliciting field exploration work were asked “what does a geologist do”. The responses to the question were disturbing in that none could provide more than simplistic one word answers, and not a single response presented a higher level, or comprehensive understanding of the field of study, even when prompted.

The results of the poll, combined with their demonstrated lack of field experience, present an equivalent level of preparation of the recent graduates interviewed in Mexico and Peru. Latin American labor laws (and culture) generally eliminate the possibility for students to gain summer work experience, so their response was expected, but it is not the historical condition of Canadian graduates.

The quality of education, and by extension the quality of the graduates varies widely across countries, and universities, however the findings and cost benefit analysis are, that provided interview and selection process were valid ie the best candidates were carefully selected and duds weeded out, that in actual field exploration conditions, the difference in performance by nationality is not significant.

Death of an Industry: The Decline of Canadian Mineral Exploration – by Brent McNiven, B.Sc Geology, MBA-PM (October 2012 – Part 1 of 2)

October 25, 2012

Executive Summary:

The purpose of this paper is to provide a qualitative overview of the state of the Canadian mineral exploration industry, and the changes observed over the past 15 years, and hopefully provoke meaningful discussion on future direction.

The junior mining and exploration sector that once formed a discreet, integrated and dynamic economic entity has become a fragmented and isolated group of investors / managers with narrow focus and short term (often short-sighted) mandates, operating too many companies (excess supply) lacking sufficient resources to be effective.

The contracting and consulting sectors have been sharply reduced in scope and capacity, and face increasing international competition, for example Australia, but also local actors in every market, resulting in consolidation, increased barriers to entry and lost opportunities.

Where Canada once produced world class exploration geologists, the failed industry / university link consistently graduates students without any field experience and lacking even the most basic exploration skills.

NEWS RELEASE: Mining Association of Canada launches new scholarship for mining finance students

October 24, 2012

Shortage of young professionals needed in fields of mining and mineral economics

OTTAWA, Oct. 23, 2012 /CNW/ – The Mining Association of Canada (MAC) has announced the launch of a new scholarship available to Canadian university students interested in pursuing a career in mineral economics.

MAC and its members established the Paul Stothart Memorial Scholarship following the passing of its valued colleague, Paul Stothart. A graduate of Queen’s University (MBA Finance, Bachelor in Civil Engineering), Paul was an accomplished professional who was passionate about advancing the Canadian mining industry in his role as MAC’s Vice President of Economic Affairs, which he held from 2006 to 2012. The scholarship is valued at $3,500 and will be awarded annually to one student studying either a Bachelor or Master of Economics, or Master of Business Administration. Candidates must also demonstrate an interest in mineral economics through current or future course work.

As of today, students are able to submit their applications until April 15, 2013. The inaugural scholarship will be awarded to the selected candidate for the 2013-2014 school year.

A 2011 report from the Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR) estimates that the mining industry in Canada must hire 100,000 new workers over the next decade to replace retiring workers and to fill new positions.

Goodman donates mystery amount to Laurentian (Northern Miner – October 22-28, 2012)

October 23, 2012

The Northern Miner, first published in 1915, during the Cobalt Silver Rush, is considered Canada’s leading authority on the mining industry.

Dundee Corp. (DC-T) CEO Ned Goodman and the Goodman Family Foundation have made a significant financial contribution to Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ont.

The money will go towards a $20-million endowment fund in support of the university’s newly created Goodman School of Mines, which remains under development. The exact amount was not disclosed, but the university said that with this “historic gift” and other donations, the school has raised more than half of the $20 million needed.

“It will support the development of new mining-related courses and programs, improvements to the learning environment and opportunities inside and outside the classroom, student recruitment, career and placement services and guest speakers, and other specific uses of funds to be mutually agreed upon,” Laurentian president Dominic Giroux explains.

Goodman has worked for more than 40 years as a geologist, securities analyst, portfolio manager and senior executive. He was instrumental in turning the Dundee group of financial companies into a $50-billion mutual fund business.

The tricky business of funding a university – by James Bradshaw (Globe and Mail – October 17, 2012)

October 23, 2012

Globe and Mail is Canada’s national newspaper with the second largest broadsheet circulation in the country. It has enormous influence on Canada’s political and business elite.

When billionaire entrepreneur Ned Goodman announced a major gift this week that will stamp his name on Laurentian University’s new School of Mines, he made it clear how he wanted it spent: directly on student experiences, and not on the school’s fixed costs.

Mr. Goodman’s gift (the amount was not disclosed) will go toward a $20-million endowment for the school, which will fund bursaries, scholarships, study abroad and career placement opportunities, and identify possible new degree options in areas of industry demand. The Dundee Corporation chief executive officer will have a seat on the school’s Global Advisory Council, which oversees how endowment funds are spent, but has no say over hiring or curriculum.

Laurentian, in Sudbury, has watched other Ontario universities face harsh criticism over donor agreements deemed by some to give private funders too much sway over academic matters. President Dominic Giroux hopes Mr. Goodman’s advisory role will keep him connected to the school while respecting academic boundaries.

“[The agreement]… is a useful construct which avoids getting into research integrity matters or academic freedom, but also allows industry to know tangibly the impact of their investment,” Mr. Giroux said.

How to raise the quality of postsecondary education in Canada – Globe and Mail Editorial (October 6, 2012)

October 23, 2012

Globe and Mail is Canada’s national newspaper with the second largest broadsheet circulation in the country. It has enormous influence on Canada’s political and business elite.

Canada’s universities and colleges must find ways to enhance the perennial strengths of higher education, and also to learn how to convert their scientific research into useful, commercially viable products.

Higher education in this country has great strengths – and significant shortcomings. At 51 per cent, Canada has proportionately more 25 to 64-year-olds with a university or college education of all OECD countries.

And as a recent report of the Canadian Council of Academies shows, Canadian researchers – both scientific and humanistic – are among the most respected in the world. However, the number of Canadian patents is not correspondingly large. And the proportion of research done in our universities, rather than in the private sector, is unusually high.

Originally, the phrase “liberal arts” did not just mean the humanities; in fact, the quantitative sciences had a slim majority. There were seven in all; three (the “trivium”) were based in language: literature, logic and rhetoric; four (the “quadrivium”) were mathematical: astronomy, geometry, algebra and, perhaps surprisingly, music – but in recent years, digital media are conspicuous in both music and visual art.

[Sudbury] LU president back for second term – by Jonathan Migneault (Sudbury Star – October 19, 2012)

October 19, 2012

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

Despite opposition from professors, Laurentian University president Dominic Giroux received unanimous support from the school’s board of governors for a second term that will extend to June 30, 2019.

The board endorsed the unanimous recommendation of the Presidential Review Committee to renew his term as the school’s president and vice-chancellor.

“The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive about the university’s accomplishments and progress since Dominic Giroux joined us,” Floyd Laughren, chair of Laurentian’s board of governors, said in a release. “Our board is extremely pleased with president Giroux’s performance and we are excited by the compelling vision that has been presented for the years ahead. We are fully confident that president Giroux is the leader to make the vision a reality.”

But not everyone at the university was pleased with the decision to give Giroux a second five-year term as president. A vote from the university’s faculty, before the Presidential Review Committee’s recommendation, did not go in his favour. Giroux took that in stride, however.

NEWS RELEASE: [NED] GOODMAN FAMILY INVESTS IN $20M ENDOWMENT FUND FOR LAURENTIAN UNIVERSITY’S SCHOOL OF MINES

May 7, 2013October 18, 2012

(L to R) Michael Atkins, Laurentian Board Vice-Chair; Anita Goodman; Ned Goodman, CEO of Dundee Corporation; Terry MacGibbon, Chair of Laurentian Next 50 Campaign; Laura Katz, 2nd Year Masters of Science Student, Earth Sciences Department; Dominic Giroux, President of Laurentian University

Please note, although Laurentian President Dominic Giroux starts the video speaking French the remainder is in English.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SUDBURY, ON (OCTOBER 15, 2012) – Ned Goodman, CEO of Dundee Corporation, and The Goodman Family Foundation – JODAMADA, announced today a historic gift to Laurentian University’s new School of Mines. In recognition of the Goodman family’s generosity, Laurentian University President Dominic Giroux announced that the university will name the school in the Goodman family’s honour.

Ned Goodman’s business and investment experience spans more than 40 years as a geologist, securities analyst, portfolio manager and senior executive, and he has an established reputation as one of Canada’s most successful investment counselors. He was the driving force of the Dundee group of financial companies, which grew under his family’s leadership from a $300-million base to a $50-billion mutual fund entity. Mr. Goodman’s work in the mining sector helped bring investment and jobs to many remote northern Canadian communities. By providing financing to many junior companies and helping to build successful, growing companies, he helped thousands of other Canadians prosper. He described his family’s gift as a vote of confidence in the future of mining.