LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Bias bypasses good managers

A recent employment advertisement in your paper reminded me that old prejudices die hard in the mining industry (or maybe they never die at all). I am referring to an advertisement attempting to recruit two general managers. It states that the only experience necessary is underground or open pit operations.

In fact, it seems that in this country, the overwhelming majority of general managers come from a mine operations background with little or no other experience. Rarely do you see a general manager from some other discipline such as maintenance, processing, engineering or administration.

It should be obvious that there is a real need for the best management possible at this country’s operating mines, particularly in light of the number of new operations that have failed to live up to expectations over the last decade. Why then do mining companies insist on ignoring a large segment of industry personnel when it comes time to select a general manager?

Not only does this shortsightedness overlook a large pool of experienced managerial talent, it demoralizes those who come to the conclusion that despite their best efforts, further advancement is unlikely due to blind prejudice.

In my opinion, management in the mining industry will not significantly improve until mining companies make a conscious effort to identify promising talent wherever it exists within their organizations. They should deliberately give these people the opportunity to broaden their range of experience and follow through by giving equal consideration to people with diverse backgrounds for advancement to general management positions.

After all, the word “general” implies a wide range of talent and experience, not specialization in only one facet of a firm’s activities. Douglas Smith Saskatoon, Sask.