Mal Carroll was appointed Syncrude’s General Manager of Research & Development in July 2016. In this role, he oversees the operations of Syncrude’s Research & Development department, including a staff of about 80 scientists, engineers and technologists. He is responsible for improving reliability and process performance; developing sustainable and cost-effective tailings, water and reclamation technologies; and developing next-generation technology options for future oil sands development at Syncrude. Over his 25-year career at Syncrude, Mal has served in many different positions that benefited form his extensive knowledge of mobile and fixed equipment systems; system and materials reliability; and project development, engineering and execution. Mal received a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Enginering from the University of Colorado in 1991, and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alberta in 1994. He is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta and the Canadian Institute of Mining.
Mansoor Hussain has been with Imperial Oil for 10 years in various roles within Upstream Projects on conventional, in-situ, and mining assets. He has a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Windsor and an MBA from the University of Calgary. In his current role as Autonomous Haulage Systems Project Manager, he is working on deploying autonomous truck technology at Imperial’s Kearl Oil Sands Mine.
Trevor has a passion operating excellence and helping the mining industry adopt / leverage transformational mining and industrial technologies. Which includes process efficiencies and effectiveness, to reach full potential results. Trevor is well connected with a global network of mining companies, subject matter experts (SME) and strategic partnerships including the Canadian Mining Innovation Council (CMIC). Trevor has worked with some of the largest mining companies in their respective commodities, Barrick Gold, Cameco, BHP Billiton, Teck and Homestake. From which he has accumulated over 25 years of international open pit and underground mining experience focusing on technical service, operational execution and asset optimization. Recently serving as the global director of mining at Barrick Gold Corporation and has provided technical and operational support to 15+ operating and project sites worldwide.
Eamonn is one of the founding Partners at Global io. Approaching 20 years of experience, he began his career as a Technology specialist with a key focus delivering technology driven, business focused transformation. His unique blend of pragmatism, technical knowledge and business orientation has ensured effective delivery of organizational and technological transformation across all phases of largescale Integrated Operations programs.
Andrea joined KMC during the summer programs prior to her University of Alberta graduation with a Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) Mining and Mineral Engineering in 2002. While with KMC she has worked with a wide variety of roles and responsibilities. Andrea spent considerable time as a Mine Performance Engineer, progressing to a Manager, Technical Services and into her current role of Director, Asset Management. Her responsibilities have included leading strategic teams for Continuous Improvement, Project Estimating, and Asset Management. Andrea was also Chairperson of the Large Tire Users Group of the Surface Mining and Research Technology (SMART) organization.
Dave joined COSIA in July 2018 from Shell International Exploration & Production in The Hague. His role in the Netherlands started in August 2013 as the Manager of Non-Technical Risks for Upstream International Operated, supporting an oil and gas production portfolio and development strategy across 12 countries where Shell is the operator and/or joint venture partner. In 2015, his role broadened to include all CO2 management scope as the Operational Risk Manager for Upstream Operated. Dave’s previous leadership roles included managing the Tailings and Water portfolio for Shell Canada Heavy Oil in Calgary. He started with Shell Canada as General Manager of Technical Services for the Athabasca Oil Sands Partnership in January of 2008, with ultimate responsibility for the Muskeg River Mine, Jack Pine Mine and associated processing facilities at Albian. Prior to Shell, Dave worked 19 years for Teck’s Elk Valley Coal Corporation and its predecessor companies under Fording as well as NYCO minerals. His professional career experience during that time spanned across mining operations, engineering, strategic planning, business development, logistics and marketing. His very first adventures into underground mining date back to 1972 with his small family owned prospecting company in Southern Sierra Nevada. Dave completed his education at McGill University, earning a Bachelor of Engineering in Mining Engineering in 1989, and later an MBA in 2000 from the Richard Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario.
Matt is the Director of the Greenhouse Gas Priority Area at COSIA, an oil sands industry alliance accelerating the pace of technology innovation and deployment through collaboration. Matt guides senior technology leads of COSIA members to design and deliver on an industry strategy to significantly reduce costs and GHG emissions in the oil sands. He leads the collaboration efforts of different Steering Committees and Working Groups to identify and advance priority GHG mitigation and associated cost reduction technologies, including low carbon heat and power, CO2 capture and utilization, area fugitives, energy efficiency, and novel in situ and mining production technologies. Matt applies his systems leadership approach to help build resilient innovation ecosystems and regularly connects adjacent sectors with COSIA members to address common challenges collaboratively. Matt is a technology lead for the Clean Resource Innovation Network, an active board member of the Alberta Clean Technology Industry Alliance, and chair of the board for the Academy for Sustainable Innovation. Prior to joining COSIA Matt helped build and lead the consulting arm of the Pembina Institute, a Canadian non-profit environmental organization, working with Canadian businesses of all sizes and sectors to improve their environmental and financial performance by integrating sustainability solutions, innovation, and clean energy technology into their strategies and operations. Matt lives in Calgary with his wife, two kids, and stray dog from Mexico, taking advantage of Alberta’s wilderness as much as possible.
Muneer Naseer is the Director of Mines for the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) branch of the Ministry of Labour and Immigration with the Government of Alberta. He has been in public service since 2006 and took on his current position in 2008. In his present role, he is responsible for the delivery and enforcement of the OHS Mining Program in Alberta and is well experienced in policy and regulatory review. Muneer has more than 25 years of experience in operations, design, technical and safety audits, HSE, and project management in the government and industry. During the course of his career, a major focus has been safety and operational improvement supported by design and technology. His work with the industry, manufacturers, and stakeholders helped in the safe deployment of autonomous driver-less technology in the Alberta mining industry. Muneer was instrumental in establishing the “Alberta Mining Autonomous Committee” – tasked with developing guidelines for autonomous mobile mining equipment. Muneer has lead and chaired the Alberta Board of Examiners for Mining (2008 to 2015), and is the current chair of Alberta’s Mining Expert Panel. He is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta, and Canadian Association of Chief Inspectors of Mines.
Owner at NovaTech Mining Solutions (Halifax, Nova Scotia) and a Technical SME for operational technologies in open pit mining for PeckTech Consulting Ltd. B.Eng. Mining (TUNS), M.Sc. (U. Bath), P. Eng., over 25 years experience in the oil sands and surface coal mining industries with significant exposure to heavy civil construction, project management and principles of continuous improvement processes – providing operations leadership, management, engineering and project coordination expertise for both owners and contract operators. Broad base of practical industry exposure in complex and difficult working environments including the evaluation, review and operationalization of autonomous haulage systems in an oil sands setting.
Blythe Golobic is an Inspector of Mines (regulator) and the lead for autonomy and automation for the B.C Ministry of Energy, Mining and Petroleum Resources . Blythe is a Professional Mining Engineer and has worked in operations and consulting prior to joining the ministry in 2016.
For over 10 years, Barret has worked with companies Kramer Ltd/ Finning Canada and Brandt on development and evolution of machine monitoring programs. Barret has comprehensive knowledge in fluid analysis, machine monitoring, preventative maintenance and telematics systems for the mining, construction and forestry industry’s. Currently Barret uses his extensive knowledge as Customer Fleet Manager and is a key member in development and advancement of the Brandt machine monitoring program.
Clint Webster joined Brandt in 2016 as Manager – Major Accounts Mining Alberta. He has 25 years experience in mining environments working in the Elk Valley, Fort McMurray and the Edmonton area holding various roles in Product Support, Greenfield Projects, Product Development and Project Management.
Retired as a Vice President from Syncrude Canada Ltd., Gord Winkel joined the University of Alberta in 2010 and has supported the establishment of the David and Joan Lynch School of Engineering Safety and Risk Management. His work to improve safety and technology in the Mining industry led to 3 Distinguished Lecturer Awards from the Canadian Institute of Mining in 2002, 2008 and 2013. Gord received the Mining Safety Leadership Medal in 2019. Gord chairs the J.T. Ryan Safety Committee for the Canadian Institute of Mining (CIM). He adjudicates the Hatch-CIM Mining and Minerals Project Development Safety Award and is a member of a CIM Executive Safety Strategy Committee. He is also an Executive Advisor on the Alberta Mining Safety Association Board. Gord is a member on safety boards and committees across many industries and works to provide support in risk management and organization effectiveness across North America.
Rafal Smerd is a Senior Manager with Deloitte based in Toronto, where he specializes in strategy, innovation, and transformation for large energy and resources, and industrials clients. He brings over ten years of experience in the energy and resources industry. He has advised clients in the development of their strategic plans, new business models, new technology development, digital, and innovation. Rafal has led engagements in growth strategy, customer experience, corporate carve-out, and business transformation.
Craig has been assigned as Manager of Mine Mobile Maintenance at Syncrude in January of 2018. In this role, he oversees the planning, scheduling and execution of maintenance work of the mobile mining equipment fleet for the Mildred Lake and Aurora mining operations. Craig’s has also held various leadership roles within the Operations organization at the Aurora Mine over his nearly 14 years with Syncrude.
Zoli is a Mining Engineer, currently Senior Advisor, Asset Management Strategy at JDS Mining and Energy. In previous positions Zoli was responsible for operational excellence and reliability management at a major copper mine; Director of Reliability, responsible for developing and implementing a maintenance planning and reliability strategy for a mining fleet of over 200 units; and Operations Manager as well as Director of Maintenance Planning and Technology for a major mining contractor. He has held consulting positions as Manager, Mining Services and Managing Consultant, and Global Maintenance Practice at leading mining consulting firms. His experience is based on a strong operational background gained over 25 years at leading mine operations where he’s been involved in mine operations planning, performance and cost analysis, marketing and logistics support, and maintenance management. Throughout his career, a major focus has been operational improvement enabled by systems and technology. He has participated in development of technology strategy and several systems design and implementation projects. Zoli is a strong advocate of knowledge and best practices exchanges through involvement in CIM, SMART and GMG.
Tim is President of his own consulting practice, SMART Systems Group. He has over 35 years of experience in mining and minerals processing with Cominco, Elk Valley Coal, its predecessor Fording Coal, NYCO Minerals, and his consulting business. The majority of his experience is in surface mining and mineral processing developing, implementing, and operating digital technology, information and operational systems and integration, and real time control and advanced automation systems. In early 2007, Tim retired from his senior position as General Manager, Information Systems for Elk Valley Coal. He had been the senior management leader for Elk Valley Coal and its predecessor Fording Coal for about 20 years, responsible for all corporate system management functions from geological exploration to the consolidated corporate financial statement. Tim has been active in ISO (International Standards Organization) as the Chair of Canada’s ISO TC82 Mining Mirror Committee, currently International Chair of TC82 SC8 (Subcommittee 8) for Advanced Automated Mining Systems, and as a Canadian expert in the development of several ISO mining automation standards.
Heather Ednie is an influential mining professional who has more than 20 years’ experience in the sector, developing and spearheading vital business solutions through communications and association management. Since 2012, she has been the Managing Director of Global Mining Guidelines Group (GMG), a network of representatives from mining companies, OEMs, OTMs, research organizations and consultants around the world who recognize that innovation does not happen in silos. GMG creates multi-stakeholder working groups to systematically remove the impediments to building safe, sustainable and innovative mines of the future. Prior to joining GMG she lead a young communications consulting firm, Modica Communications, focused on serving the Canadian mining sector with the aim of advancement of a safe, responsible and respected industry. From 2004 to 2009, as Director, 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. Heather served as Vice-Chair of Women in Mining Canada and is a founding member of the Women in Mining Montreal Branch organizing committee. Heather has received the CIM Distinguished Lecturer Award and was recognized in WIM UK’s 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining.