INNOVATION March-April 2012

Dr Robert Stevens PGeo prof i l e Kent Kallberg

Growing BC’s Mining Talent

Jean Sorensen

BC

and 25 potential new mine projects spread throughout every region in BC. Skilled work- ers will be needed to bring those mines into production and keep them operational. A Need for Skilled Employees While Vancouver has been a hub of global mining expertise, much of that expertise was focused outside BC during the industry downturn in the l990s. The industry drew few new entrants as limited provincial mining and exploration activity existed. But, when world metal prices started spiking in the last decade, there was a rekindling of interest in mineral exploration within BC; however, the province faced major hurdles. Mining and mineral exploration is an industry that relies heavily on skilled employ- ees at all levels of mine exploration and devel- opment. BC’s pool of experts were mainly baby-boomers, slowly leaving the industry. Faced with few prospects in the industry, the boomers opted out. “Many individuals moved into other fields,” acknowledges Stevens.

development, and established First Nations outreach training programs. In 2011, his dedication to furthering the development of new mines and a skilled labor force within BC earned him the C J Westerman Award, an honour given to a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC in recognition of significant professional contributions. Stevens’ strong role has been integral to rousing a sleeping giant—BC’s mining indus- try. While on a sabbatical from BCIT in 2005, Stevens served as interim executive director of Geoscience BC during its inaugural year. He was instrumental in directing the devel- opment of this organization, which collects information on potential mineral deposits and then makes it available to exploration companies and individuals to pursue explora- tion opportunities. The Association for Mineral Exploration BC (AME BC) estimates that today there are more than 350 mineral exploration sites

Institute of Technology Associate Dean of Engineering and Natural Resources Dr Robert Stevens PGeo

remembers the first class on exploration he taught in September 2000. Only four students showed up. It was a reflection of the down- turn in mining during the 1990s and how dismal students saw job prospects appearing in this resource sector. Things have changed dramatically over the last decade. “The employment situation is excellent today,” says Stevens, who is credited with revitalizing BCIT’s Mining and Mineral Exploration Technology program. The min- ing program now has over 60 applicants for the fall classes. “As of mid-February our pro- gram for September already had a wait list.” Over the past decade, Stevens has been at the forefront of educating much needed mining technologists, helped to found an organization that produces geological information to encourage exploration ven- tures, worked with the exploration indus- try’s mining association to promote mine

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