If you were to picture someone working in the mining industry, would she or he be wearing a hard hat and carrying a pickaxe or a business suit and carrying a briefcase?
Mining in Canada has come a long way. Far from the early days of the Yukon Gold Rush, today Canada is the global centre for mining business. Consider that in 2011, 90% of all mining equity financings were completed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and its sister Venture Exchange (TSX-V). That represents 40% of all mining equity capital raised worldwide. Of the world’s public mining companies, 58% are listed in Toronto.
Canada’s leadership in the global mining industry will be the focus of discussion at the next Biz Skule™ Networking Lecture Series on May 23. Leading that discussion will by Skule™ alumnus David Harquail (GeoE 7T9), the President & CEO of Franco-Nevada Corporation. Joining him will be Ammar Al-Joundi (MechE 8T6), Senior Vice President, Finance and CFO of Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited, Donovan Pollitt(MinE 0T4), President & CEO of Wesdome Gold Mines Limited, and Martin Tunney (MinE 0T6), Director at CIBC Investment Banking, Global Mines Group.
As event organizer and Biz Skule™ Chair Claire Kennedy (ChemE 8T9) explains, the discussion comes at a ripe time for both the industry and the University of Toronto.
“There is no denying Canada’s important role in this global industry, but also its impact on Canada’s financial sector,” states Kennedy. “At the same time U of T, with the leadership and support of [Franco-Nevada Chairman] Dr. Pierre Lassonde, has been renewing its mineral engineering programs. This makes for an interesting nexus of business opportunities and academic innovation that will fuel a very rich discussion.”
This is the second panel discussion held by Biz Skule™. As Kennedy states, the panel format gives guests a greater opportunity to network and hear a broad variety of perspectives on a topic.
The event will be held on May 23, appropriately enough, in the new Goldcorp Mining Innovation Suite in the recently renamed Lassonde Mining Building (170 College Street, 4th Floor). The cost is $25 and the reception will begin at 5:30 p.m., with the panel discussion starting at 6 p.m. To register, please visit the online registration website or for more information, contact Sonia De Buglio at 416-946-8143 or by email at sonia@ecf.utoronto.ca.
Planning for the next Biz Skule™ event has already begun. On September 27, guests will have the chance to hear from Dr. Dan Rosen (ChemE MASc 9T1, PhD 9T3), CEO of R2 Financial Technologies. Stay tuned for additional details and registration information.
