Meet the Miners 2024: Visionary Leadership for a Transformative Future

On October 23, 2024, the Ontario Mining Association (OMA) held its annual event, ‘Meet the Miners’, co-hosted by Ontario’s Ministry of Mines. This gathering brings together industry leaders and provincial decision-makers to share successes and engage in meaningful discussions about key issues affecting the mining sector and the people of Ontario. For 46 years, ‘Meet the Miners’ has served as a vital platform for members of the Legislative Assembly and senior mining leaders to exchange insights, foster relationships, and celebrate the dynamic and innovative nature of an industry that has consistently driven economic growth and regional development in the province.

“This year represents a significant milestone for the Ontario Mining Association as we bid farewell to our esteemed President, Chris Hodgson, who is retiring after two decades of exemplary service," stated Frank Demers, Director of Ontario Mines at Vale and Chair of the OMA Board of Directors. "During the 'Meet the Miners' event, we took the opportunity to celebrate the invaluable contributions Chris has made in shaping our association, while also welcoming his successor, Priya Tandon. Priya is a highly accomplished leader with over 15 years of experience in the public sector and is renowned for her expertise in policy development, stakeholder engagement, and building robust, collaborative relationships. As the new President of the OMA, she will undoubtedly leverage her visionary leadership to propel our mission of advancing Ontario's mining sector sustainably and responsibly."

"I am deeply grateful for the warm welcome extended to me by the OMA community," said Priya Tandon. "I would like to express my appreciation to Premier Ford for his inspiring remarks to the OMA Board of Directors. I also extend my gratitude to Minister of Mines George Pirie for co-hosting 'Meet the Miners' and leading crucial discussions on what is required to build a strong domestic mining-to-manufacturing supply chain, and ensure Ontario is a key player in the global energy transition.”

As the race to reach global net-zero emissions accelerates, countries worldwide are responding to emerging geopolitical challenges by creating reliable supply chains for critical minerals, which are essential for clean energy technologies, the digital economy, defense systems, and more. For Ontario, this presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to develop our abundant natural resources in a way that is environmentally sustainable and economically viable, becoming the global supplier of choice for critical minerals and clean technology.

The day began with a productive dialogue between OMA Board members and Mines Minister George Pirie. He emphasized that mining “has always been a big part of the economy” and expressed confidence that it will become an even greater force as we advance the province’s Critical Minerals Strategy. The objectives outlined in Ontario’s Critical Mineral Strategy closely align with the priorities of the Ontario Mining Association. We are dedicated to collaborating with government and other partners to achieve progress in essential areas that will empower us to harness our immense potential for leadership in the sector:

Enhancing geoscience information and supporting critical minerals exploration;
Growing domestic processing and creating a resilient local supply chain;
Improving Ontario’s regulatory framework;
Building economic development opportunities with Indigenous partners; and
Growing the labour supply and developing a skilled labour force.

OMA Board members were pleased to receive remarks from Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie, who emphasized her party’s dedication to supporting the mining sector. She highlighted the importance of fostering a regulatory environment that attracts investment, and acknowledged the significant potential of developing the Ring of Fire in collaboration with Indigenous partners. Ms. Crombie also stressed the need to establish a comprehensive end-to-end supply chain, which she believes is essential for ushering in “a new age of prosperity and economic growth.”

The Board meeting wrapped up with a visit from Premier Doug Ford, who outlined his government's initiatives aimed at enhancing Ontario's business environment and attracting greater investment. He stressed the need to reduce regulatory duplication and assured OMA members of his commitment to collaborating with the mining industry to ensure it remains a vital and expanding economic driver for the province. The Premier acknowledged the constructive leadership of OMA's outgoing president and warmly welcomed Priya Tandon to her new role.

In line with the theme of visionary leadership, OMA members had an opportunity to listen to an engaging presentation by Tom Ormsby, Principal of Tom Ormsby Public Relations and Senior Advisor to Wesben Global. During the presentation, Mr. Ormsby delved into the critical role leaders play during both actual and emerging crises. He emphasized the importance of establishing clear team structures and defining responsibilities, enabling leaders to effectively identify where their skills and expertise are most needed. The session also covered strategies for engaging various stakeholders—including employees, contractors, parent companies, communities, industry groups, government agencies, and the media—at the right time and in the right way. Mr. Ormby's insights provided invaluable guidance for leaders seeking to navigate challenging scenarios with confidence and clarity.

Effective leadership in the mining industry hinges on the ability to attract and nurture new talent, which was a key focus of discussions at this year’s Meet the Miners. Currently, the sector is grappling with a significant workforce challenge. In Ontario alone, mining supports approximately 31,000 jobs directly, with an additional 47,000 positions related to mineral processing and mining supply and services. The Canadian mining industry faces a pressing need to bring on board between 80,000 and 113,000 new workers between 2020 and 2030. This demand is predominantly driven by the necessity to replace retiring personnel, not even factoring in the anticipated growth spurred by the critical minerals boom.

Moreover, the mining industry is in the midst of a technological transformation unparalleled in its history. Investments in battery-electric equipment, tele-remote and autonomous control systems, and advanced communication infrastructure are all aimed at enhancing the economics, productivity, and safety of mining operations. In a broader context, the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted a monumental shift in workplace dynamics, accelerating the pace of digital transformation across the mining sector. Embracing these technological innovations and the push for remote operations require a workforce equipped with specialized skills and resilience.

Unfortunately, enrolment in related university programs is declining, leading to a significant shortage of graduates entering relevant fields. This growing knowledge gap poses a serious challenge to the industry's future. It is imperative to address these issues urgently to ensure a skilled workforce that can meet both current and future demands in mining.

The OMA is actively working to engage new generations in mining careers through its ‘This Is Mine Life’ initiative, specifically targeted to Ontario youth. We also recognize that recruiting and integrating new immigrants into Ontario's mining sector has the potential not only to address workforce sustainability, but also enrich the industry with a variety of skills, perspectives, and innovations essential for its continued growth and success. With this in mind, several expert speakers were invited to share insights and strategies on how to effectively bring immigrants into the mining workforce, thereby enhancing the sector's dynamism and resilience.

Anthony Lawley, President and CEO of IVEY Group, highlighted the transformative potential of global talent in reshaping Ontario's mining workforce. Meanwhile, Shaloma Gauthier, Manager of the Immigration Promotion and Employer Outreach Unit at the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, provided insights on how OMA members can effectively utilize the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program to attract and retain skilled foreign workers in the mining sector.

The notion that a strong, sustainable mining industry requires a strong, sustainable workforce gained significant support during a ‘Team MINES’ leadership panel discussion involving Mines Minister George Pirie, Associate Minister of Mines Stephen Crawford, Deputy Minister Shawn Batise, Assistant Deputy Minister Afsana Qureshi and Assistant Deputy Minister David McLean. Team MINES offered their perspectives on ways to attract more people to the skilled trades, and other essential occupations for the sector. They also engaged in a dialogue with OMA members about the effectiveness of existing government programs for workforce training and skill development. A key topic of discussion was how the provincial education system could better highlight the mining industry and the diverse opportunities it presents. Priya Tandon expressed gratitude to the government for supporting initiatives like bringing ‘This Is Mine Life’ to LevelUp! career fairs, and underscored Minister Pirie’s vital role as a champion for the mining sector. For his part, Minister Pirie emphasized that a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach is essential to address the needs of society and the demands of Western democracies, which depend on secure and sustainable access to responsibly sourced minerals and metals.

The evening reception that followed these discussions was dedicated to honouring leadership and fostering collaboration among industry, government and other key stakeholders. In her opening remarks, Priya Tandon expressed her gratitude to outgoing OMA President Chris Hodgson, acknowledging his significant contributions. She pledged to build upon his legacy by building alliances, sharing innovative ideas, and pooling talent and resources to advance Ontario's mining sector. Jamie West, the member of the Ontario New Democratic Party representing the riding of Sudbury and the newly appointed Opposition Critic for Mines, and Ted Hsu, the MPP for Kingston and the Islands and the Liberal Party’s Critic of Mines both expressed their eagerness to collaborate and work towards common goals, while Minister Pirie underscored the critical importance of Ontario's mining sector in today’s shifting geopolitical landscape.

“’Meet the Miners’ is fundamentally about leadership and envisioning a better future,” said Frank Demers. “It serves as more than just a forum for exchanging ideas; it is also a vital opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the invaluable contributions of every individual involved. We take great pride in this significant occasion to recognize the hard work and dedication of both industry and government leaders, whose collective efforts enrich our lives.”

The OMA extends heartfelt gratitude to all who played a role in fostering meaningful conversations at ‘Meet the Miners’ 2024. A special thank you goes to our generous sponsors for their invaluable support!

_{Photo credits: Office of the Premier of Ontario and Capital Arts Productions}