Canadian Government Executive - Volume 24 - Issue 04

26 / Canadian Government Executive // July/August 2018 M ining provides civilization with the materials required for the construction of indis- pensable items such as build- ings, cell phones, electric cars, and other common luxury of life in the 21st century. If you can’t grow it, you have to mine it. Since mining is the principal economic driver for Canada’s North, it’s important for public service executives to have an understanding of the opportunities and challenges that the mining industry faces today. Prior to the 2018 Prospector and De- velopers Association Convention held an- nually in Toronto, 40 trade commissioners from Global Affairs Canada gathered for a Mining 101 briefing which included infor- mation on the sector’s curious economic cycles, its language, and its dominance in developing countries of the world. There was ample information to share, includ- ing some negatives (mining just wrapped up the worst economic cycle it has had in decades), but there were positives to note, such as the fact that mining employs more Indigenous people than any other sector in the Canada. Mining enjoys having its own set of regulations, legislations, and in some provinces, its own ministry. Over 50 per cent of global financing for mining is done on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The vast majority of mining operations are located in sparsely populated areas of Northern Canada and the Arctic. Often these re- gions don’t receive the political attention they deserve, considering the region is a foundation for the mining sector that con- tributes some $41.5 billion of Canada’s ex- ports and makes up three per cent of the nation’s overall GDP. Research and innovation in mining has never been more active despite the strug- gles it has faced over the last five years. There have been incredible advance- ments in digital mining, electric mining vehicles, automation software, and devel- opment of sustainable energy solutions such as small modular reactors for remote mining sites. These advancements help assure Canada’s competitive advantage and help position our mining industry as one of the safest, most productive, and most sustainable on the planet. The Ontario Mining Association (OMA) recently hosted the Target Zero+ Con- ference (zero harm, zero waste and zero greenhouse gasses) which reiterated why mining is considered one of the safest industries in the world, even surpassing healthcare in terms of safety. With the help of Natural Resources Canada, there is a major push for a green mining formu- la with zero waste targets designed to ini- tiate the development of new innovations in bio-mining, with an extensive focus on remediation and rehabilitation. Mining has also becoming a major proponent of clean energy as it strives for zero green- house gas emissions. In the mining ecosystem, there are key players that assure the sector’s prosperity. There are mining suppliers/contractor com- panies, brokers, funding agencies, explora- tion research companies, research organiza- tion, standard and guideline organizations, and training organizations among others. Public services in Canada are among the best in the world. Government execu- tives should recognize mining as a part of Canada’s foundation and support legisla- tion that drives innovation and technology in this sector to improve the economic and social development in Canada. Much can be accomplished if there is a comprehen- sive understanding of mining’s role in this country’s revitalization. Accessing mining information is easier than ever. There are 11 mining schools across the country that are educating and de- veloping tomorrow’s highly qualified indus- try employees. These schools also promote mining innovation, safety, productivity, and sustainability education that will increase the mining ecosystem’s reach and impact. Learning about mining’s important place in our society has never been easier! V ic P akalnis has a Bachelor of Engi- neering in Mining Engineering and a Master of Engineering from McGill University and a Master of Business Administration from Queen’s Univer- sity. He’s worked in the mining industry, government and was the Queen’s Uni- versity Kinross Professor in Mining and Sustainability. Vic is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario, the Society of Mining Engi- neers, the Canadian Institute for Min- ing and Metallurgy and the Institute of Public Administration of Canada. He serves on the Boards of the Radiation Safety Institute of Canada and Minerva Canada. In 2007, he received Ontario’s prestigious Amethyst Award for Excel- lence in Public Service. He was ap- pointed President and CEO, MIRARCO on July1, 2012. MINING MINING EMBODIES PROGRESS BY VIC PAKALNIS , P.ENG., MBA, M.ENG.