Meet the Team

Courtney Lynn

Courtney Lynn has served as Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations at Ero Copper Corp. since March 2021. Ms. Lynn previously served as Vice President & Treasurer at Kaiser Aluminum Corp. and as VP, Investor Relations & Treasurer at Coeur Mining, Inc. Prior to joining Coeur, Ms. Lynn worked in investment and corporate banking at Bear Stearns and JP Morgan, advising Metals & Mining clients on capital markets activities as well as mergers and acquisitions. Ms. Lynn has been a member of the LBMA Precious Metals Oversight Committee since 2017 and previously served as a member of the LBMA Silver Price Oversight Committee. Ms. Lynn holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Finance and Economics from New York University’s Stern School of Business.

Heather Ednie

Heather Ednie is an influential mining professional who has more than 20 years’ experience in the mining and metals sector, developing and spearheading vital business solutions through communications and association management.

In 2012, she became the Managing Director of Global Mining Guidelines Group (GMG). The organization’s purpose is to be a catalyst for the operationalization of innovation in the global mining industry to improve the safety, sustainability and productivity of our mines. In November 2021, she became its CEO.

In September 2021, Heather and two partners launched Global Collaboration Services (GCS), a boutique business offering shared services to small organizations who don’t have the resources to fully manage operations and reach their goals. During the same month she also became the Executive Director of the Metals and Mining Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MM-ISAC) whose mission it is to improve the cyber resiliency of mining and metals companies, preventing incidents impacting safety, environmental sustainability, or operational productivity.

Prior to joining GMG, Heather led a young communications consulting firm – Modica Communications – focused on the advancement of a safe, responsible and respected Canadian mining industry. From 2004 to 2009, as Director of Media and Communications for the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), Heather successfully reinvented the CIM communications and editorial department as the relevant source of information for the industry.

She is a Mensa Canada member, has served as Vice-Chair of Women in Mining Canada, and is a founding member of the Women in Mining Montreal Branch organizing committee.  She was also named one of the 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining by Women in Mining UK in 2013.

Kalev Ruberg

Kalev Ruberg has been active in the information systems arena for over 40 years. As a BSc and Masters graduate from MIT, his studies included work at the Architecture Machine Lab (now the Media Lab) before carrying out digital simulation research at the National Bureau of Standards (now NIST) in Washington DC, University of California Berkeley Labs, and then at Georgia Tech, as an assistant professor.

In 1982 he joined Canada’s National Research Council in Ottawa, as a Senior Research Scientist where he developed a number of machine learning algorithms in the artificial intelligence field. Joining IBM Global Services, he designed large machine learning and control systems for IBM Manufacturing and clients worldwide.

In 1998, he was appointed the CIO and Deputy Minister to the Finance Minister, at the Government of Manitoba, where he was responsible for the government’s Information Services. Subsequently, he led development at a B2B e-commerce company, and then became a VP at TELUS, where he was responsible for Application Development, Business Development, and development of the IT strategy and offerings for TELUS’ Healthcare vertical.

Building on his experience at Telus, Kalev became the CIO and Executive General Manager for Information Services at Placer Dome, formerly the largest gold mining enterprise in the world here he led the restructuring of technology services worldwide. Previously, Kalev worked at Teck Resources as the CIO Vice President, Teck Digital Systems, where he was responsible for the overall digital systems services and projects for this global mining company. Most recently, Kalev was appointed CEO and Technology Executive Advisor at Karu Advisory Ltd. In 2020, Kalev was also appointed adjunct Professor at the Keevil School of Mining Engineering at UBC.

Kalev has published more than 30 papers in proceedings and journals. In 2018, he was named to CIM Magazine’s 2018 Names to Know and is Chair of the Global Mining Guidelines organization.

Liv Carroll

Liv is the Natural Resources Lead for Applied Intelligence and leads the UK CoE for Industrial Analytics. Liv’s mission is to work with our industrial, mining, and wider natural resources clients to move practice from one of producers to resource stewardship and drive our greener, more sustainable future through collaboration and innovation.

As a Chartered Geologist with 20 years’ experience in the resources industries (exploration, mining, metals and quarrying), Liv works with C-suite and client teams to transform business process and operations through data-driven strategy and the development of data & AI tools for new working practices. For improved safety, sustainability, ESG and productivity, innovation is key, as well as embedding sustainability throughout the enterprise and value chain. Our natural resource industries are facing significant challenges, not least climate change, and Liv is actively driving the industry towards autonomous operations and developing critical capabilities, including effective tailings and water management.

Liv’s previous experience includes technical and advisory roles with engineering environmental consultancies to listed and private mineral explorers and operators; investment groups for due diligence; corporate strategy development and project portfolio management; and government bodies for strategic supply of mineral. Her experience is supported by an MSc in Mineral Project Appraisal from the Royal School of Mines, Imperial College; a BSc (Hons) in Geology from Durham University; and an Executive Course in Behavioural Science from London School of Economics & Political Science.

Liv is passionate about inclusion and diversity. She is a firm believer that our industry is a force for good and she is dedicated to advocating for the industry; building a thriving community; and creating an environment that attracts and retains future generations of our workforce. Liv has represented Accenture on the leadership committee of GMG since 2016 and is a member of the governance committee. She was involved in the development of the short interval control guideline and actively contributes to several GMG working groups, including AI in Mining and Autonomous Operations. Liv also represents Accenture on the Camborne School of Mines Industry Advisory Board and is an active participant in the Association of the Royal School of Mines, Imperial College.

Liv was the convenor of the London Mining Sundowner, the UK’s largest mining industry monthly networking event from 2007 to 2022; is a former member of PERC (Pan European Reserves and Resources Reporting Committee); a former Trustee, Council Member and Professional Secretary of the Geological Society; and continues to scrutineer for Chartership. Liv was named one of 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining 2013 and 2016, and one of the Top 50 Women in Engineering 2016, a Telegraph initiative joint with the Women’s Engineering Society.

Mark O’Brien

Mark O’Brien currently serves as the General Manager for Digital Technology & Innovation at CITIC Pacific Mining, the world’s largest magnetite iron ore operation, and China’s largest resources sector investment outside of China. His responsibilities cover strategic engagement with the business, technology leadership and innovation, and ownership of the key application and infrastructure platforms at CPM, across both IT and OT. He has an involvement in mining technology that stretches over 30 years. He is a graduate of Curtin University with an undergraduate degree in Mathematics and Computer Science and has undertaken postgraduate studies in AI, Philosophy and Ethics. Mark is also the Chair of the GMG AI in Mining Working Group, as well as a contributor to national and international collaborations around mining technology.

Mark Richards

Mark has been interested in technology in the mining industry for many years since working on the automation of Finsch mine in South Africa. Since then, he has been involved in the design, development and implementation of technology solutions across many facets of mining.

Mark has been active in the mining business for nearly 40 years and is a Professional Engineer in British Columbia, graduating from Camborne School of Mines (UK). He completed a MSc (Mining Engineering) at Queens University (Canada), before starting working for De Beers, working in underground and open pit operations. In the 1990’s Mark was a key advocate in the development of the mine-to-mill philosophy at Highland Valley Copper and subsequently across Teck. He is a keen proponent of the value of cooperation to develop best practices across the industry.

Mark has published papers in proceedings and journals on the development and implementation of technology across the mining space. He completed his MBA at Simon Fraser University in 2015 with a thesis on Technology and Innovation Strategies. He has been involved with GMG since its inception; participating on several working groups, the governance committee and is currently Secretary on the Executive Council.

Michelle Ash

Michelle Ash, VP Growth, has made significant contributions to the mining sector with a focus on Innovation Strategy, Technology, and Digital Transformation.

Michelle is highly passionate about Mining and Infrastructure and remains focused on delivering sustainable solutions that help these sectors to continue to create and shape the world in which we live, through digital transformation and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.

As Chair of the Global Mining Guidelines Group from 2018 to 2022, Michelle contributed to the development of best practices and guidelines for the implementation of technology and socially enabled changes in the mining industry. She is currently a member of the GMG Board of Directors. She is also on the advisory board of several start-ups such as Petra Data Science, OffWorld, Behault, Descartes Labs and MineSpider.

Previously she was CEO GEOVIA Dassault Systemes, where she helped develop and bring to the industry transformational capabilities. Prior to that she was Chief Innovation Officer at Barrick Gold Corporation where she oversaw the company’s innovation program, looking both at how innovation can drive productivity in the existing business as well as how it can be harnessed to deliver alternative business models.

She began her career as a blasting engineer with Rio Tinto and has held several operational roles in various mining companies and across commodities.

Michelle was named to the 2016 list of “100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining” by Women in Mining UK and won the Technology Innovator of the Year Award by Mines and Technology in 2019.  She holds a degree in Civil Engineering and an Executive MBA from the Melbourne Business School; she also holds a degree in Psychology from Deakin University.

Follow Michelle on Twitter: MichelleAsh18

Tim Joseph

Known worldwide for his expertise in dipper and bucket design based on site specific machine performance, the rapid dampening suspension system, tire performance & life metrics, and ground – equipment interactions; Tim Joseph is the Principal Engineer, JPI Ltd. mine equipment & engineering, serving the global mining industry (www.jpicanada.com). He is best known for his contributions to the design of the Terex MT6300 (now CAT 798F) 410 ton haul truck, the P&H oil sands specific dipper and the JPI double-curve dipper, real-time tkph, g-level analysis and geometric analysis approaches for body design and rolling resistance evaluation.

A proponent of sustainable closure, Tim’s counsel has been sought by the United Nations, Ministers of Energy and Mines in Peru and across Latin America, and Canada’s Ambassadors in Peru & Bolivia, Ecuador, Argentina, Colombia and the Dominican Republic. His most recent sustainability work in East Africa was the development of a regional position on green steel for the Commonwealth Secretariat.

He is also Professor Emeritus, Mining Engineering and the former Associate Dean, Faculty of Engineering University of Alberta, Canada having trained over 50 M.Sc. and Ph.D. graduates and thousands of engineers with 50+ journal and 200+ conference papers to his name. He is a Board Director of Engineers Canada, APEGA and Ambassador to the Canadian Institute of Mining (CIM). A former multi-term Vice-President of CIM and one of the founders of the Surface Mining Association for Research & Technology (SMART), now the Global Mining Group (GMG); Tim Joseph was awarded the CIM Distinguished Service Medal for his lifetime contributions to the global mining industry in 2011 and the SMART Distinguished Service Award in 2013.

Having training thousands of professionals through JPI’s professional development short courses and workshops over the past 20+ years, Tim introduced the 18 month, 9 course ‘Mastering Mining Operations & Decisions’ professional development diploma in 2018 with graduates awarded JPI’s M.Dipl. (Min. Ops.) credential.

Tim’s clients continue to range from global mining companies to OEMs, international service providers and consultant designers from Australia to Africa, Europe, North & South America. He is currently working on autonomous haulage in Chile, oil sands haulage electrification in Canada, bucket design & performance metrics in Germany, and multiple project foci through InnoTech with MARIOS.

Jean-Jacques Verhaeghe

Laura Mottola

A seasoned professional mining engineer and business executive with over 30 years of global experience across mining and manufacturing industries, Laura is recognized globally as a leader in operational excellence, innovation, and business transformation in the natural resource sector. In addition to her dedication to Lean thinking and practice, she is passionate about integrating systems thinking, circular economy, and other concepts to develop collaborative approaches to solving complex industry problems.

Laura, a member of the Lean Enterprise Institute’s faculty, regularly teaches Lean Strategy Deployment (Hoshin Kanri) to global industry organizations and executive teams. She founded Flow Partners, a boutique consulting firm with operations in Canada and Chile which is now part of the BBA Group, a Canadian engineering consulting company that specializes in the mining and metals and energy sectors. Laura is Vice-President of Advisory Services at BBA, a partner and part of the management team of the firm.

Notably, Laura was named in the inaugural edition of the 100 most inspirational women in mining by Women in Mining UK . She holds a B.Eng. in Mining and a Master of Engineering in Mining Automation from McGill University.

Patrícia Procópio

An expert in the application of technologies towards mining solutions, Patrícia Procópio has founded XRLab, which focuses in immersive and virtual experiences. With over 30 years of experience in mining, she is also the founder and president of MP Consulting, a consulting firm specialized in geotechnologies and geoinformation solutions for environmental, mining, engineering and agrobusiness. Prior to leading her own businesses, Patricia spent 17 years with Vale, where she led many innovative projects, including the implementation of their advanced decision making virtual room, the infrastructure for spatial data- GISMineral, Global Geological Database Management System-GDMS, among many others. With a PhD in geology and specialization in Geoprocessing, Procópio’s projects have been recognized internationally, including award winning projects in the: Geospatial World Excellence Awards in Amsterdam (2012),  Geospatial Latin American Excellence Award (2011), GIS Award in San Diego (2010 and 2006), MundoGeoconect and DroneShow  (2019 and 2014) and Inova Vale (2010). Procopio is also committed to making mining a more inclusive industry, and in 2019 became on of the founders and president of Women in Mining Brasil.

Ricardo Aguilera

Ricardo currently works as the Regional Director – Digital, South America at Hatch. He holds an MBA and has over 25 years’ experience in the mining industry, specializing in technology innovation, ERP and mining systems implementation, as well as portfolio, program, and project management. Richard is also an entrepreneur, university professor, and tutors in innovation.

Previously, Richard held the role of Director of Customer Engagement at RPM Global. Prior to that, he was Mining Technology Innovation Regional Manager at Barrick Gold in South America where he led a functional team of engineers as the subject matter expert in mining IT, process plant IT, maintenance IT, and data analytics systems. In his role at Barrick Gold, Richard made significant contributions in shaping how information technology efficiently serves the operational/mining side of the business.

Andrea Nichiporuk

It was love at first sight. Hands furiously filling a wall with multicoloured Post-It notes in an effort to identify a problem and plan how to tackle it – [swoon!] Andrea knew she’d found her perfect match.

For more than 20 years Andrea has worked in communications and publications in the mining industry. She joined the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) in 1998, rising through the ranks to the final position of Communications Manager. During her time with CIM she got to work on her dream project: launching a magazine. After 18 months of 14- to 16-hour hour days, working 7 days a week, CIM Magazine was born. It was the world’s greatest arts & crafts project! In July 2018 she joined GMG as Communications Manager.

When she’s not engaging with some of the nicest and funniest people in the most amazing industry, she’s listening to ’90s tunes and eating smores around the campfire looking up at the twinkly night sky.

She hopes to one day fulfill her dream of seeing, in person, a bucketwheel excavator in action. If anyone knows a guy who can make that happen, please call me.

Elaine Kinsella

Elaine loves working with volunteers. For more than 34 years, she worked for the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum (CIM), first in the accounting department and then joining the membership team in 2017 as the Constituent Services Coordinator. Her main goal was to build relationships to truly understand volunteers’ needs, support them and enable them to succeed.
Elaine spends her free time practicing the piano, riding her motorcycle, and spending time with her family, friends, and dogs.

Gillian Jazzar

Heather Ednie

Heather Ednie is an influential mining professional who has more than 20 years’ experience in the mining and metals sector, developing and spearheading vital business solutions through communications and association management.

In 2012, she became the Managing Director of Global Mining Guidelines Group (GMG). The organization’s purpose is to be a catalyst for the operationalization of innovation in the global mining industry to improve the safety, sustainability and productivity of our mines. In November 2021, she became its CEO.

In September 2021, Heather and two partners launched Global Collaboration Services (GCS), a boutique business offering shared services to small organizations who don’t have the resources to fully manage operations and reach their goals. During the same month she also became the Executive Director of the Metals and Mining Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MM-ISAC) whose mission it is to improve the cyber resiliency of mining and metals companies, preventing incidents impacting safety, environmental sustainability, or operational productivity.

Prior to joining GMG, Heather led a young communications consulting firm – Modica Communications – focused on the advancement of a safe, responsible and respected Canadian mining industry. From 2004 to 2009, as Director of Media and Communications for the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), Heather successfully reinvented the CIM communications and editorial department as the relevant source of information for the industry.

She is a Mensa Canada member, has served as Vice-Chair of Women in Mining Canada, and is a founding member of the Women in Mining Montreal Branch organizing committee.  She was also named one of the 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining by Women in Mining UK in 2013.

Heather Turnbull

Heather brings a wide range of experience to the team. As a stay-at-home mother for a number of years, Heather was a highly involved community leader, as a volunteer at the local school and on other committees in the municipality. She also worked in various support staff positions at the school, most recently as the school secretary. Prior to that, Heather was the administrative assistant to the Executive Director of the Trans Canada Trail Foundation in Montreal, where she gained an understanding and appreciation of the importance of volunteers and the need to work together. Heather is impressed by the work carried out by dedicated Global Mining Guidelines Group volunteers from around the world, and all levels of the industry, who share a vision of cleaner, safer, more efficient mining. Heather has a background in land management and served for 14 years as president of a local non-profit organization dedicated to helping people in need. She looks forward to broadening her exposure to the mining industry and helping groups collaborate toward this new future.

Holly Arsenault

Holly joined GMG in the spring of 2020 as an Administrative Assistant, after making the long distance move from Alberta to Quebec. She brings with her 10 years of administration experience with a can-do attitude, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

Holly loves spending time outdoors with her husband whether it be playing a good round of golf or going on adventures with their fur-baby, a very wiggly, lovable Boxer named Bo. Of course, living in Quebec means lots of snow and cold temperatures during the winter months, during this time you can usually find her binge watching a good crime tv series or reading a mystery novel.

With the help of GMG Holly hopes to strengthen and grow her knowledge of the mining industry enabling her to be part of the change and innovation in a larger way.

Laura Foley

Laura was born at age zero and is currently surviving as a living organism on this planet.  Her biology consists of three components – a structural mass, a nervous system and a muscular system – thus allowing her to be an enthusiastic, engaging team player, problem solver extraordinaire and a genuinely delightful person. For more than 20 years Laura has honed her skills as the Membership Engagement Coordinator at the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM). She strives to go above and beyond to provide excellent customer care.

Laura possesses mad crafting skills – wielding a hot glue gun with minimal damage to her fingers. She is excited to start a new chapter with the support of old friends and making new ones along the way.

Magella Vallieres

Magella joined GMG in July 2022. With plenty of project coordination experience and organizational skills she makes a great addition to the GMG team as Working Groups and Projects Coordinator.

When Magella is not working, she spends her time with her son doing activities or just spending quality time at home.

On her free time, she loves to listen to music or play guitar and be at one with nature.

Marcelo Begliomini

Marcelo is a computer engineer and specializes in project management. His more than 25 years of experience working with national and multinational mining companies has given him unique insight into the industry and the mining ecosystem.

He mainly leads projects related to technology infrastructure and services but has proven interpersonal communications skills and empathy in leading multidisciplinary work teams.

As part of the GMG team, Marcelo’s objective is to take the experience and success cases of Latin American mining companies and contribute to the global mining community.

Outside of work, Marcelo enjoys outdoor activities and good times with his wife, family, and friends. He loves the warmth of a good barbecue and a glass of wine or pisco sour. He is also an animal lover, especially dogs.

Marcelo lives in Santiago, Chile, but when he has the opportunity, he leaves the city to enjoy nature, especially the sea.

Espanol

Marcelo es ingeniero informático y está especializado en gestión de proyectos. Sus más de 25 años de experiencia trabajando con empresas mineras nacionales y multinacionales le han proporcionado una visión única del sector y del ecosistema minero.

Lidera principalmente proyectos relacionados con infraestructura tecnológica y servicios, pero tiene probadas habilidades de comunicación interpersonal y empatía para liderar equipos de trabajo multidisciplinarios.

Como parte del equipo de GMG, el objetivo de Marcelo es tomar la experiencia y los casos de éxito de las empresas mineras latinoamericanas y contribuir a la comunidad minera global.

Fuera del trabajo, Marcelo disfruta de las actividades al aire libre y de los buenos momentos con su esposa, familia y amigos. Le encanta el calor de una buena barbacoa y una copa de vino o pisco sour. También es un amante de los animales, especialmente de los perros.

Marcelo vive en Santiago de Chile, pero cuando tiene la oportunidad, sale de la ciudad para disfrutar de la naturaleza, especialmente del mar.

Michael Girgis

Michael joined GMG as a technical writer and editor during the summer of 2021, just as the pandemic started to die down. He started his educational journey studying water and wastewater at Algonquin College then moving on to a broader program, Environmental Studies at Carleton University. After graduating he worked in environmental consulting focusing on environmental hazards for almost 2 years where he found his passion for writing various technical reports and providing clear content to clients. He then went back to Algonquin College to study technical writer to enhance those skills and start on a new career path.

Regardless of the weather he is always trying to be outdoors as much as possible where he is found, or not found, in random forests capturing photos of nature. Two years before the pandemic hit, Michael had a goal of traveling to a new country every year and has so far crossed off Iceland and Colombia. When he isn’t found outdoors, he is usually found reading or writing dark fiction stories or playing video games.

As a recent graduate from the technical writer program, Michael hopes to expand his technical writing and editing skills at GMG while learning about the mining industry and great advances accomplished and to come.

Molly Mayer

Molly is GMG’s Digital Media Coordinator. Her talents include photo and video editing, expert knowledge of all things internet, and keeping a positive attitude.

Molly recently graduated university with a BA in Political Sciences. Her hobbies include going to art museums and listening to podcasts.

Neil Ednie

There are many ways to describe Neil: jovial, polite, warped sense of humor and takes his cooking seriously. Armed with a Bachelors in Geography, Planning and Environment combined with a diverse work experience that has involved coordinating projects in many lines of work, he is eager to work with and learn from the GMG community.

Away from work, Neil is a keen angler with tall tales of reeling in giant monsters – a few even have pictures of proof! He is also an avid reader, has a passion for horticulture, is an annoying sports fan and loves being outside playing in dirt.

Noora Golabi

Noora comes from a background in Geography and GIS, having spent a lot of her career in the GIS field, making maps, visualizing data, and writing about it all. With her passion for writing, she went back school for technical writing, so she can focus her career primarily on writing and editing content.

Outside of work, Noora loves going outdoors to hike, camp, or just go for long walks with her dog. When the weather keeps her inside, she spends her time reading, baking, and playing board games with friends.

Riaan Matthew Swanepoel

Rian is an ex rugby player with a kind and caring heart. He likes to meet new people and hear new perspectives. He also likes to make people around him laugh. Some of Rian’s hobbies include hiking in mountainous areas and snorkeling in the oceans.

He has enjoyed many executive positions throughout his career in product management, instrumentation, technical sales, engineering, and strategy. He is constantly learning because he never settles, stays calm when faced with adversity, and focuses on making high-quality decisions.