Meet the Ambassadors

Alp Bora

Speaker – Advisor – Coach

Alp is the Principal Advisor at Bora Consulting, boutique consulting firm specialized in operational excellence in mining & metals. As a mining & metals expert, Alp Bora is passionate about making mining greener, more sustainable, and more attractive for new generations. He is creating a movement to increase awareness of the importance of mining & metals in our day-to-day life -and in the electrification of tomorrows economy. Author of “Mining is the Future”, Alp talks about mining, sustainability, and corporate culture.

Antoine Cate

Geologist

Antoine is a geologist working as a consultant in the mining industry. His work involves looking at rocks, either though a computer screen from his office in Toronto or directly on mine sites and remote locations all over the world. Observations on rocks can help find new mineral deposits or support the development and exploitation of existing resources.

Cheryl Blair

Safety, Health and Lifestyle Coach

Cheryl started her mining career in 1997 in the mill. Many years in the industry gave her independence, confidence and from there, she started building up her leadership skills. She is an inspired advocate for safety in the mining industry, she has taken many courses to help promote safety, going out of her way to further her knowledge in her spare time. Her favourite safety topic and a slogan she lives by- “If you don’t know, don’t go, STOP and go ask your supervisor.” Receiving all the years of training/education in the mining industry, Cheryl says, "they are very valuable and transferable so I was able to use many skills learned in my home life as well." Cheryl is extremely grateful for the many life changing friendships she formed in the mining industry. She is also a facilitator/trainer of MiHR's Common Competency standard.

Edison Mating

Mining Engineer

Edison is a Filipino mining engineer based in Australia. He has over 5 years of mining experience in underground mine planning, drilling and blasting. He writes for the Philippine Resources Journal where he shares his views on key issues surrounding the mining industry.

Eric LeFort

Environmental, Health and Safety

Eric has over 33 years of experience as an Environmental, Health and Safety Professional. He is committed to continuous learning and self-improvement, seeking to improve skills for the Canadian mining Industry.

Glenn LaFleur

Community Relations Liaison

Glenn Lafleur is the Community Relations Liaison, Sr. for SSR Mining – Seabee. He is of Metis descent. He has extensive experience in Education and Training Programming in the Mining Industry.

Hassan Yousif

Mining Engineering Student

Hassan is a current undergraduate student at the University of Toronto studying Mineral Engineering, with over a year of hands-on experience in the mining industry. His passion for mining stems from a deep appreciation for the sector’s role in driving global development and sustainability. Through his academic journey and industry exposure, he has developed a strong interest in the technological advancements and operational efficiencies shaping the future of mining. He also serves as the Student Program Co-Chair for the 2025 CIM Connect Convention, where he plays a key role in enhancing student-industry collaboration. He is committed to promoting awareness of career opportunities in mining and inspiring the next generation of professionals to explore the industry. By sharing insights, experiences and the exciting innovations transforming the field, he aims to bridge the gap between students and the mining sector.

Jason Belanger

Project Manager

Jason has over 15 years of innovative experience in the mining industry through roles as a tradesperson, engineer, project manager, program manager, leader and mentor. He is passionate, optimistic and grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the world working with people and technology to fuel a sustainable future.

Jennifer Mailloux

Project Controls Professional

Jennifer Mailloux is a Project Controls professional at Stuart Olson which showcases her expertise in managing and optimizing project schedules, costs, and resources within the mining and construction sector. She is also the President of Sudbury’s Women in Mining Chapter which aims to Educate, Elevate and Empower women. Jennifer is committed to improving the mining industry by fostering diversity, promoting inclusion, and creating a supportive environment for all professionals, especially women.

Kwaku Owusu-Ansah

Geologist

Kwaku Owusu-Ansah is a geologist with over 14 years of experience across West and Central Africa. His expertise spans various aspects of the mineral resource development cycle, from greenfield exploration to GIS and geological database management, geological modeling, and mineral resource estimation. He is pursuing a master’s degree in geology (Applied mineral exploration) at Laurentian University, and he is also enrolled in the Mineral Resources Industry Leadership Certificate (MRILC) Program at the Goodman School of Mines.

Currently employed with GeologicAI, which redefines geological and mining decision-making with advanced core scanning technology and AI-powered analytical and modeling solutions.

Kwaku also volunteers as Vice Chair with Modern Mining & Technology Sudbury (MMTS) where he has collaborated with Mining Matters to deliver virtual workshops to Grade 4 classes in Sudbury.

Lauren Blackburn

Geology

Ms. Lauren Blackburn graduated from the University of Alberta in 2006 with a BSc. Specialization - Geology. She has 18 years of mineral exploration and development experience in North America working with the Yukon Geological Survey, geoscience consultants and junior mining companies in Yukon, Nunavut, BC, Colorado, and Mexico. Her primary concentration has been in Yukon, where she resides and has garnered a dynamic skill set that includes expertise in the developing acquisitions into resource-defined projects including working as the Technical Lead on greenfield projects. Through strategic development, and effective lands-access-regulatory management, Lauren has helped numerous companies in building their core projects into NI 43-101 mineral resources. Her focus has shifted in recent years towards the regulatory process including Territorial-Federal policy and legislation review and implementing sustainability, stewardship, and cultural awareness pieces. More recently, Ms. Blackburn’s work focus has been on building relationships and increasing community capacity through long-term mine-training initiatives and education. Lauren sees the importance mentoring youth to teach them the importance of mining to provide a sustainable green economy for our Nation's future. Lauren joined MiHR in 2023 with hopes to learn from peers to be better at supporting youth and communities who want to learn more about the importance of mining.

Lisa Thiess

Mining Engineering Co-op Manager

Lisa holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Queensland, Australia. She is experienced in international recruitment and human capital management with over 10 years of comprehensive, hands-on experience across industries such as mining, civil construction, EPCM, and finance. Her key specialties are full cycle recruitment, HR Analytics together with business development, within her current position at DRA she is actively involved in gender diversity and inclusion initiatives across the AMER region.  She has dealt comprehensively with cross-cultural issues related to international recruitment and been engaged to assist in the recruitment start-up of numerous multi -billion-dollar projects in various geographical locations. Lisa has a passion for helping young professionals within the mining industry and directly mentors mining students within her position as Co-op Liaison Manager at McGill University.

Natalie Cook

Senior Lead, Social Responsibility

Natalie is a Professional Geologist with 10 years’ experience working in the mineral resource sector throughout Canada. Her comprehensive understanding of all facets of the mining industry from exploration through to production can be seen from her involvement in roles ranging from technical to management, business development, and sustainability. Natalie has lived and worked in remote mining communities and is passionate about advancing projects with sustainability and diversity at the forefront. Natalie is currently working with Galore Creek Mining Corporation where she is the Senior Lead, Social Responsibility.

Roy Slack

Director Cementation Americas

Roy is a strong supporter of health and safety in Canada’s mining industry. With extensive experience acquired over a 40-year career in mine design and mine construction throughout North America and overseas, Roy is the founder and a Board member of Cementation Americas and served as president from inception in 1998 to 2018. He was also honoured to be President of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy & Petroleum (CIM) from 2019 to 2020.

Tony Knutson

Geologist

Tony is trained as a geologist currently based in Washington DC. He has over 25 years experience across different commodities in the resource industry. Tony currently leads Wood Mackenzie's global metals and mining emissions research. He is passionate about changing views on the image and importance of the mining industry as well as educating people how our society functions because of mining and metals.