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CIMVTL21 Preview
Get a taste of CIM Virtual Convention + EXPO before the actual event!
Pre-Convention Webinars
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TUESDAY, MARCH 30 • Blurring the Lines Between Miners and Mineral Processorsadd_circle_outline
Early in a mineral engineer’s career, a decision is made to either pursue mining or mineral processing (or metallurgy). The lines are then drawn, and one pursues one path or the other. The distinction is maintained by an industry paradigm where miners deliver ore to the primary crusher and it is the mineral processors’ responsibility after that. However, modern technology and more holistic ways of dealing with ore feed are blurring these lines. “Mine-to-Mill” concepts bridge opposing objectives of miners wanting to minimize blasting costs and mineral processors wanting well-sized mill feed. With preconcentration, particularly bulk ore sorting, the heterogeneity of ores is exploited as close to the mining face as possible using either bucket-based sorting of run-of-mine ore or conveyor-based sorting of primary crushed ore. The implication is that the mine now is integral in the processing and beneficiation of mill feed. In this presentation, a different perspective is offered as to who should be responsible for processes from blasting to crushing and conveying to preconcentration. Is it the mining engineer, the processing engineer, both – or neither?
Presenters:
Bob McCarthy, Principal Consultant, SRK Consulting Inc. – Bob’s technical strengths are in mine planning, mine site and project reviews, and technology implementation. Bob is a professional mining engineer with over 30 years’ experience in mine operations, mine planning, asset management, technology development and implementation, and consulting. He has worked at numerous mines, across different departments, in a variety of technical and management roles. Bob’s technical strengths are in project evaluation, mine planning, mine/project reviews (audits), and technology implementation. He is particularly specialized in In-Pit Crushing and Conveying evaluations as well as assessments for the application of preconcentration using various approaches. Bob is considered an open pit mine specialist, and as such is a qualified/competent person for mineral reserves as defined in NI 43-101/JORC. 
Adrian Dance, Principal Consultant (Metallurgy), SRK Consulting Inc. – With over 25 years in his field, Adrian has established himself as an authority on comminution (crushing and grinding) circuit operation. Adrian has a Bachelor of Applied Science from UBC in Canada and a Doctorate in Mineral Processing from the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre in Australia. He has both industrial and consulting experience, working at operations in Australia, Canada, and Peru. He practices a proven methodology in gaining improvements from “Mine–to–Mill” optimisation projects. Adrian has spent most of his career working with existing operations to gain added efficiency. With SRK, he is now providing similar expertise to green or brownfield sites to get similar benefits very early in the mine life, in particular, the development of mill forecasting models embedded in the resource/geological block model, or geometallurgical modelling. Date and time: March 30 - 2 PM to 2:40 PM ET
Cost: Free
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TUESDAY, APRIL 13 • Preserving and Restoring Mine Sites throughout Mine Life, from Opening to Closureadd_circle_outline
Historically, Mine Closure has remained a component of the Life of Asset Plan that has been given far less consideration than it deserves. The industry obsession with using Net Present Value as a means of determining when and how to invest money into an asset is counter-productive to the process of progressive reclamation. It has been widely accepted that delaying non-urgent costs as long as possible, represents the best return on investment. Another contributing factor is that Closure has typically remained an issue for ‘the future’, being that few mines had progressed to full closure, as demand for minerals has remained high.
Today, more mines are facing the reality of closure within the next 10 years. Mine closure regulations are progressively tightening as a systematic response to poor closure outcomes and a gap between expectations and actual performance of planned reclamation. Additionally, developments in planning techniques and increased understanding of closure processes has led to a realization of the true ‘value’ of progressive, well-planned closure outside of the usual financial assessment methodologies.
Integrated Closure Planning presents the best available technology in determining how to maximize an asset's value concerning Closure. Most operational mining projects are currently without a fit for purpose, designed, scheduled, and fully costed closure plan. Executable closure plans are not being generated or critically reviewed until the end of the mine life is imminent, at which point any optimization is next to impossible and rectification options are limited.
Integrated, progressive closure planning can be achieved through design and scheduling of closure activities in tandem with the mine production schedule. This allows miners to make informed strategic and operational decisions by assessing both the short- and long-term impacts of different material placement and reclamation options on the overall value delivered by the project.
Presenters:
Joe Huelin, Operations Manager - Mine Planning, Okane Consultants Pty Ltd – Joe Huelin is a Mining Engineer with 15 years of experience in Operational Mine Planning. Joe has extensive knowledge of Open Cut Coal Mine planning, and has lead small and large teams of Engineers, Geologists, Surveyors and Geotechs. Joe joined Okane in 2020 to help develop Okane's Mine Planning service offering. Okane are now one of the first companies to offer an Integrated Closure Planning service, combining the important elements of Mine Planning with Closure sciences. Joe has worked on a series of challenging projects within Okane already and has ideas on how to improve the outcomes for mines advancing towards closure. 
Ainsley Ferrier, Technical Product Manager, Deswik – Ainsley Ferrier is an accomplished mining engineer with over twenty years' experience in the open cut coal industry in mine planning and production roles, before pivoting to a role in software product management. The main impetus for this move is her passionate belief that better integrating mine water and rehabilitation planning into all levels of mine design planning will help to achieve better post-mining outcomes and deliver greater project value. Date and time: April 13 - 4 PM to 4:40 PM ET
Cost: Free
Proudly sponsored by:
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TUESDAY, APRIL 20 • Edge of the World Wireless: How Can Mines Meet the Wireless Broadband Communication Challenges for Realtime Communication, IoT and Edge Computingadd_circle_outline
4G, 5G, WiFi-6 and new broadband satellite communication technologies are providing impressive solutions, but how do operators and IT prepare for transition of wireless networks for the mining sector and where do each fit? What are the key performance indicators for a successful deployment? How can augmentation of a communication network protect investments while moving toward the industry 4.0 horizon? What is required to realize new IoT and edge computing solutions?
With spectrum being sparse, communication requirements being more complex, and changing environments continue to challenge reliable communications in mines, next generation solutions need to meet ever increase demands technologically, economically and logistically to allow new paradigms such as IoT, edge computing and digital real-time communication to flourish. We will discuss the power of IP networks, new wireless broadband solutions, transitions to these solutions, when and how to secure spectrum and how to augment existing wireless solutions with newer technology to get the most of wireless landscape and the investments.
Presenters:
Duane Zimmer, Solution Architect, Redline Communications – Duane Zimmer has 15 years of experience in all facets wireless communication from equipment and structure installation, creating custom network management solutions, network design and optimization and project management. He has worked for operators as well as manufacturer to deploy and develop next generation wireless technology in some of the most challenging environments. Growing up in Saskatchewan, Duane has experienced the provinces potash mining industry firsthand, and as a member of Redline Communications has helped design several LTE networks for above and below ground mines around the globe. Date and time: April 20 - 2 PM to 2:40 PM ET
Cost: Free
Pre-Convention Podcast Episodes
Hosted by the CIMVTL21's plenary moderator Jerrod Downey, these exclusive episodes of the Mining Now show will dive into some of the themes selected for this year's convention's technical program.
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MARCH PODCAST #1 • Leaders Create Accountability - Guest: Michael Timms, Avail Leadership Inc.add_circle_outline
Executives tend to believe that being accountable is a trait you either have or don't have by the time you enter the workforce. In other words, "It's the person." Is it possible, however, that it could also be the environment? Could executives be unwittingly creating conditions that make it harder for employees to be accountable?
Leaders Create Accountability reveals the latest research around what levers CEO's and other executives can pull to infuse accountability into the fabric of their organization's culture to get the right behaviors, and the right results, more often.
Guest:
Michael Timms, Founder & Principal Consultant, Avail Leadership Inc. – Michael Timms believes that everyone has the right to be inspired and uplifted by their leaders at work. As principal of Avail Leadership, Michael helps executives create a culture that produces stronger leaders and better results. He also provides leadership training and is a professional speaker. Michael is the author of the book Succession Planning That Works, which has received critical acclaim as “an invaluable guide for identifying, and taking advantage of, talent within organizations.”
Prior to forming his own consultancy, Michael was a consultant with Deloitte and an HR leader in the construction and manufacturing industries.
When Michael is not helping leaders improve their game, he enjoys spending time with his family and going on challenging outdoor adventures in remote wilderness locations.
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MARCH PODCAST #2 • Situ Leaching/Recovery, Modern Ore Processing & Innovative Mining - Guest: Nathan Stubina, Sherritt International Corporationadd_circle_outline
Nathan Stubina, Vice President, Technologies at Sherritt International Corporation, discusses the challenges of major innovation in mining including discussing how machines like Ball Mills and Flotations Cells have evolved, alternative technology, and roadblocks mine operators face when implementing new processes. He also discusses the public's view of mining, the academic outlook on mining innovation, and how companies like Sherritt International, Barrick Gold, and Agnico Eagle, have introduced innovation processing and mining solutions into their operation.
Guest:
Nathan Stubina, Vice President, Technologies, Sherritt International Corporation – Dr. Nathan Stubina joined Sherritt International as vice president of technologies in November 2018. Prior to that, he was managing director of innovation for McEwen Mining. With 30 years of international industrial experience, he also worked at various major mining companies including Barrick Gold Corp., Noranda Inc. and Falconbridge Limited. Dr. Stubina holds a Ph.D., in metallurgy and materials from the University of Toronto and a B. Eng. in mining and metallurgical engineering from McGill University.
Dr. Stubina is currently a member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO), and was the vice president of the International District of CIM. He is a Past-President of the Metallurgy & Materials Society of CIM and a member of the Lassonde Institute of Mining’s Advisory Committee at the University of Toronto.
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APRIL PODCAST • Managing stress during the pandemic - Guest: Bertrand De Windt, Steps Up Consulting Ltd.add_circle_outline
Managing stress during a pandemic and preventing a traumatic syndrome while working from home during times of self-quarantine, social distancing has become a critical goal to ensure wellness and safety of our employees during the new normal forced by COVID 19.
Mining companies have been pushed during this pandemic to focus their wellness programs and gear safety programs to ensure early detection of symptoms of the popular cabin fever associated with working in isolation.
Cabin Fever or Mountain Madness was identified in USA at the beginning of the 20th century, during the COVID 19 pandemic many employees have indicated in several surveys that they have suffered the symptoms of distress associated with the locked down situations.
During the podcast we will show what employees in different countries have indicated they suffered more common, the impact it has caused on their physical and psychological health as well as their family and home networks.
We will discuss extensively the best approaches companies have taken to support their employees during the work from home process and will discuss strategies suggested by psychologist and psychiatrist to manage and cope with the syndrome.
Two particular strategies are being suggested the 90 / 10 rule and the reframing techniques are explained in detail along with a set of rules and recommendations that can make working from home and in isolation easier to cope with.
Guest:
Bertrand De Windt, Executive Director and CEO, Steps Up Consulting Ltd. – Bertrand de Windt, Bs. in Industrial Psychology, Master of Arts in Human Resources the University of Minnesota, also a Certified Master Black Belt in Six Sigma. Bertrand is a dedicated University Professor at the undergraduate and graduate levels for over 15 years, has a long career in mining with 18 years with Falconbridge Dominican, Sudbury Mine and Mills business Unit, Xstrata Timmins Smelter Business Unit, Falconbridge Australia, Falconbridge and BHP joint venture in Sorong, Indonesia. He acted as head of Human Resources and later joined Business Excellence with Newmont Corporation as Regional Director for South America. He joined Barrick Gold as HR director of the Pueblo Viejo Gold Mine and later teamed up with Dumas Minas in the same capacity. He is currently the Executive Director of Steps Up Consulting Ltd. and was the founder of the CIM Peru Branch in Lima, Peru and Executive Director for the CIM Latin America initiative.