The mining newspaper for Alaska and Canada's North
The mining newspaper for Alaska and Canada's North
North of 60 Mining News - March 15, 2024
Teck Resources contributes C$2 million to establish scholarships for mining engineering students at the University of British Columbia and Queen's University.
Left to right: James Olson, dean of Faculty of Applied Science at UBC; former Teck CEO Don Lindsay; current Teck CEO Jonathan Price; and Kevin Deluzio, dean of Smith Engineering at Queen's University.
In a fitting tribute to former president and CEO Don Lindsay, Teck Resources Ltd. has awarded C$2 million to establish scholarships for mining engineering students at Canada's two largest mining schools – the Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering at the University of British Columbia and the Robert M. Buchan Department of Mining at Smith Engineering, Queen's University in Ontario.
The Don Lindsay Teck Award in Mining Engineering is contributing C$1 million to each of the Canadian mining schools to establish endowments that generate annual renewable scholarships at each university that offer vital financial support for students pursuing mining-related studies.
"The award pays homage to Don Lindsay's remarkable legacy and recognizes his outstanding leadership and contributions to the mining sector," said Jonathan Price, who filled the position of president and CEO at Teck upon Lindsay's retirement.
In addition to honoring Lindsay's legacy of leadership and commitment to responsible resource development, the scholarship endowments that come on the heels of the former Teck executive's retirement are symbolic of a larger situation the scholarships will help to address – the graying of the mining sector.
In what has been dubbed the "gray tsunami," the mining industry in Canada and the United States is facing a talent gap resulting from the shortage of young people coming into the sector to replace the wave of aging workers who are taking their mining knowledge and expertise into retirement with them.
This skills gap is compounded by the fact that the transition to renewable energy is creating a massive increase in the demand for mined materials and the talent to discover, develop, and produce those minerals and metals.
The Don Lindsay Teck Award is expected to help attract and educate that sorely needed mining talent.
"The partnership between Teck, Queen's University and UBC to establish scholarships for aspiring mining students is truly remarkable," said Teck Resources Chair Shelia Murray. "It is my sincere hope that this initiative will inspire even more young people to pursue the many great opportunities the mining industry provides."
Left to right: James Olson, dean of Faculty of Applied Science at UBC; former Teck CEO Don Lindsay; current Teck CEO Jonathan Price; and Kevin Deluzio, dean of Smith Engineering at Queen's University.
Before and throughout Lindsay's 17-year tenure as Teck's top executive, the B.C.-based mining company has been a strong supporter of the mining departments and programs at UBC and Queen's University.
"Our partnership with Teck over the years has enriched programs, provided employment opportunities, and supported research, contributing significantly to the educational experiences for our students," said Kevin Deluzio, dean of Smith Engineering at Queen's University. "This award is a continued extension of our partnership with Teck, and we are incredibly grateful for not just the scholarships it will provide students, but how it will equip students with education opportunities to better conquer the challenges of an ever-evolving industry."
A sentiment echoed by James Olson, dean of the Faculty of Applied Science at UBC.
"With Teck's help, UBC is building the mining industry of tomorrow, which will leverage critical minerals to solve climate change," he said.
Students selected by dedicated award committees at each university will not only receive financial support for the education that will serve as the foundation for tomorrow's mining industry but will also receive mentorship opportunities with Lindsay, helping to fill the talent gap through the passing of knowledge from a successful mining executive to the next generation of talent coming into the sector.
"The mining engineering students of today will undoubtedly shape the industry's future and I feel very privileged to be part of this success," said Lindsay.
Over his more than 16 years of covering mining and mineral exploration, Shane has become renowned for his ability to report on the sector in a way that is technically sound enough to inform industry insiders while being easy to understand by a wider audience.
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