Mining sector rides groundswell of support

Richard Trudeau was born and raised in Flin Flon, and thanks to more than 40 years working in the mining industry, he’ll retire there.

“If you want to stay in the North, with the outdoors and lakes and all of that, it provides you that opportunity to stay,” he said of work in the mining sector.

Trudeau was a mine manager for Hudbay Minerals Inc. before moving into a human resources role.

His father and grandfather were miners, and his two sons now work in the industry.

“It provides families a good living,” he told the Free Press.

Trudeau was at the Victoria Inn Hotel and Convention Centre in Winnipeg on Monday to welcome attendees to the 2025 Central Canada Mineral Exploration Convention. He chaired the organizing committee for the event, the largest of its kind in central Canada.

Between 850 and 1,000 delegates were expected to attend the two-day event (Nov. 3-4), Trudeau said — record-breaking attendance for the seven-year-old conference.

“This huge growth reflects the confidence companies have in this conference and its importance to the mining industry,” he said.

More than 185 exhibitor booths were set up on the trade show floor and the program included two keynote speakers and a program featuring 35 industry experts speaking at 15 sessions.

One session outlined recruitment efforts at Hudbay. Canada’s mining sector will need an additional 70,000 new workers over the next 10 years to meet the industry’s projected growth needs, said Sandy Doverspike, the company’s director of human resources and external relations.

Hudbay has devised a six- to nine-week program that introduces individuals from the communities in which the company operates to the opportunities in the mining industry. The program mixes classroom instruction with practical, hands-on experience.

Adapting with technology, attracting new talent and investing in employee development through upskilling and leadership training are key solutions for an industry facing worker shortages, Doverspike said.

“It’s not enough to just bring people into our business. We must invest in them,” she said.

Another session explored how putting people first can transform mental health and wellness in the mining sector.

Stacey Stockham, HR superintendent at Hudbay, delved into the challenges faced by remote and northern operations, including geographic isolation, cultural stigma and high-stress environments.

Stockham shared the company’s approach to promoting psychological wellness, including a digital employee assistance program, peer support and an addiction support program.

“We want to equip them with the tools that make them successful,” Stockham said, adding the company doesn’t have all the answers but is committed to supporting employees.

“Every step we take reinforces our commitment to our people. They are not just employee numbers, they are not just assets on the dollar. We recognize them for what they are: people first and employees second.”

Organized by the Mining Association of Manitoba Inc., a non-government, non-profit trade association, the conference brings together exploration professionals, academics, government representatives, suppliers, financiers and community representatives.

Just as important as the speeches and sessions was the opportunity for delegates to network, Trudeau said.

“We’re going to find the next (mineral) deposit over the next couple years by putting all these smart people together in one room.”

Manitoba’s total annual mineral production is $1.4 billion, according to Securing Our Critical Mineral Future, a 20-page report the provincial government released at last year’s conference.

In 2023, mining, quarrying and related activities contributed $662 million to the province’s economy.

Thirty of 34 critical minerals are known to exist in the province. There are 45 active exploration and development companies exploring for critical minerals in Manitoba, a provincial spokesperson said.

During the conference’s opening ceremony, Mining Association of Manitoba president Stacy Kennedy said the provincial government has recently committed $1.5 million that will allow the association to advocate for the sector on an international level. The investment will complement an additional $100,000 from the Manitoba Mineral Development Fund, she added.

“Manitoba has what the world needs and we are here to deliver,” Kennedy said.

aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca