Bruce Ross will head mining education review

C. Bruce Ross, who retired late last year as president of Labrador Mining and Exploration, has been appointed by the Ontario government to undertake a review of the future education and training needs of the province’s mining industry.

Mr Ross, currently president of the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and past president of the Ontario Mining Association, will be chairman of the review group.

Its general aim will be to identify the skill and knowledge requirements of Ontario’s metal and industrial mining and milling industry over the next decade. It will inventory the post-secondary educational and training programs available, attempt to identify gaps in the system, and develop alternatives for meeting the industry’s future needs.

The chairman and his committee will work closely with the industry, and with the OMA, whose president, Henry Brehaut, underscoring the importance of the move, notes that the future provision of highly qualified people is “absolutely critical to the long term health of the industry.”

Over the next few months, Mr Ross will visit the province’s major mining companies and educational institutions offering mineral programs, as well as consult with labor unions and receive written briefs from interested groups.

The report is expected to be completed by about year-end.

Mr Ross’ committee will include senior government officials, among them Dennis Tieman, assistant deputy minister, mines and minerals division, Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, and representatives of Ontario’s post- secondary educational institutions.